In a testament to the lasting impact of the All Stars Project (ASP), former program participant Dwayne Dixon Jr. has been named Program Director of ASP Chicago. His remarkable journey from youth participant to leader perfectly captures what’s possible when young people embrace the transformative power of performance-based development.
Dwayne’s All Stars story began in 2011 as a student in the Development School for Youth in New Jersey. Like many young people in our programs, he discovered new possibilities through performance, eventually becoming a dynamic producer and emcee with the ASP of New Jersey All Stars Talent Show Network. What started as a program experience evolved into a calling – in 2015, Dwayne officially joined the ASP team as Youth Program and Outreach Leader.
His passion for creating opportunities for young people led him to Chicago in 2021, where he took on the role of Associate Director of Youth and Community Development. Over the past four years, Dwayne has been the driving force behind expanding our reach into Chicago’s south and west side communities, ensuring that more young people have access to the same life-changing experiences that shaped his own journey.
Now, as Program Director, Dwayne will oversee all Chicago programming, including the Leslie J. Raffel Development School for Youth and our signature performance-based initiatives. Working alongside Vice President and Director Lauren Horn and the development team, he’ll continue building vital partnerships within Chicago’s afterschool community while strengthening our fundraising and engagement efforts.
Dwayne takes great pride in sharing the transformative experiences he gained through All Stars with the youth of Chicago, offering the same guidance and support he once received as a young man. His promotion represents more than just professional advancement – it’s a powerful example to every young person in our programs that their development is limitless.
As Dwayne steps into this expanded leadership role, we’re excited to see how his unique perspective as both alumnus and leader will create new possibilities for Chicago’s youth. His story embodies the All Stars Project’s mission of transformation through performance, proving that when we invest in young people, they can become the leaders who will invest in others.
