Why Youth Empowerment Can’t Wait

Chicago Emerging Stars
May 12
3 min read

A letter from our founder on the urgency of showing up—for our youth, for our communities, and for each other

When people hear about my work, they often say things like:

“Wow, you’re doing so much at such a young age.”

Or,

“It’s amazing to see someone your age care this deeply.”

And while I’m grateful, I always think the same thing:

I didn’t choose this work because I’m young. I chose it because I’ve lived it.

I know what it feels like to be overlooked.
To be full of potential but not know where to put it.
To be told to wait your turn… even when you’re ready right now.

That’s why I founded Chicago Emerging Stars—not just as an organization, but as a lifeline. A movement. A promise to our youth that they are not alone, and that their future matters too much to be delayed.

The Truth: Our Young People Can’t Afford to Wait

The challenges are real.

Too many young people in our city are navigating trauma, instability, and silence.
They’re expected to rise, without being given the tools.
They’re told to lead, without ever being heard.
They’re asked to hope, even when the world around them feels like it’s closing in.

But here's what I know to be true:

Young people are powerful.

And with the right support, they don't just survive — they soar.

What We’re Building Is Bigger Than Programs — It’s Personal

At Chicago Emerging Stars, we don’t show up once and disappear.
We don’t host a flashy event and call it impact.
We stay. We listen. We build — alongside the youth we serve.

We create:

✨ Back-to-school bashes that serve over 1,500 people with joy, dignity, and celebration

✨ Mentorship that feels like big brothers, big sisters, and lifelong support

✨ Career prep that’s more than a resume — it’s hope with a plan

✨ Leadership opportunities that show youth they have a voice right now, not someday

✨ Events, meals, backpacks, physicals, connections — all rooted in love, not pity

We do this not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary.

Because every time we show up, a door opens.

A mind shifts. A dream feels possible again.

If You’re Wondering How to Help — This Is It

I’m asking you to care.
To believe in something bigger.
To trust that investing in youth isn’t charity — it’s legacy.

When you donate, share, volunteer, or partner with us, you’re not just helping a nonprofit.

You’re joining a movement that believes the South Side of Chicago is filled with brilliance, not brokenness.

You’re telling a young person: “You matter. I see you. I’m with you.”

That kind of support?

It’s priceless.

And it changes everything.

We Can’t Wait — And Neither Can They

I started this journey at 14. I’m now 20. And still, every time I show up for our community, I see myself.
I see the kid who just needed someone to believe in him.
I see the family that shows up early to make sure their child gets a backpack, a haircut, and a reason to smile.
I see future doctors, artists, leaders, and changemakers — waiting not for permission, but for possibility.

Youth empowerment can’t wait.

Because our kids are ready now.

And we’re here to meet them right where they are—with love, with purpose, and with unwavering commitment. With heart, with hope, and with you by our side—