Despite an electrical outage, this year’s event was fantastic. In fact, the dim lights during the first half of the show created the perfect ambiance for the Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble, our spoken word performer, Jada Imani, and our Alumna speaker, Lia Lacy at the 3rd Annual Rising Stars Youth Awards. This is a BOSS Program you should know about — the full event videotells the story…

We had several surprise cash gifts for our Youth Awardees, a trend set off by our keynote speaker, Peralta Community College District Chancellor, Dr. Jowel C. Laquerre, who pledged $500 on the spot for whoever raised their hand first to attend his college. And of course, there was plenty of love and recognition.
Special thanks and appreciation to Jon Jeter for his amazing storytelling work on the youth interviews, and to Jon-Mychal Cox for photography and videography that tells its own story. 
Thomas Jones’ video was a big hit — his story is worth listening to, and his dedication to youth is uplifting:

And the story of Malik and his family was inspiring, if not awe-inspiring.

Thanks to our sponsors, four youth received $1000 scholarships, and all received tablets and other goodies that will come in handy on the road to college. Thank you Sponsors, especially Roman Fan at Korman and Ngfor his indomitable energy and love for the community.

We hope you’ll join us in June 2017 for the 4th Annual Rising Stars event – this is your community – be there!
Thank you BOSS for allowing us to sponsor event branding and materials!
View Program

Thank you Partner Agencies
Building Opportunitiesfor Self-sufficiency (BOSS)
Berkeley Youth Alternatives
Berkeley High School
Berkeley Technology Academy
Thank you 2016 Sponsors!!!
Na’ir al Saif – “Bright Tip of the Sword” (Orion constellation)
Tileshop
Malaga Corp.
Alkaid – “The Leader” (Ursa Major constellation)
Kaiser Permanente
Mechanics Bank
Roman Fan
Donald Frazier
Carolyn Miller
Chara – “Joy” (Canes Venatici constellation)
Abrams/Millikan
Berkeley High School Development Group
Dan Scarola
Freeman Insurance
Healthright 360
Mira – “Wonderful” (Cetus constellation)
Berkeley Lions Club
Dave & Mary Nicely
Diane Rames
Kava Massih
UC Berkeley Local Community & Government Relations
Anonymous
Kochab – “Star” (Ursa Minor constellation)
Babette Jee
Lifelong
Oakland Vision Center
Peralta Community College District
The Companion Group
Awardee Gift Donors
Mayor Tom Bates
AssemblymemberTony Thurmond
AssemblymemberRob Bonta
AC Transit
Dr. Kevin Barnes
BOSS
Leadership Eastbay
Oaklandish
ROSS
Sports Basement
Whole Foods
Silent Auction Donors
A Priori
Alegio Chocolate
Anonymous
Books Inc.
Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency
California Academy of Sciences
Coco and Bella
Crossroads Trading
Eesuu Orundide artist
Golden Gate Fields
Golden State Warriors
Gwendolyn McShepard artist
Hill’s Shoes of Oakland
J Das Studio for Hair
Jeff Cohn Cellars
Lake Chalet Restaurant
Love at First Bite Cupcakes
Metro Golf Links
Oakland Athletics Community Fund
Oakland Raiders
Oakland Symphony
Oakland Zoo
Philz Coffee
Pier 39
Poulet
Resilient Beauty Bar
Sports Basement
The Cheese Board Collective
The Local Butcher Shop
U Next Barber Shop
Victory Point Cafe
Vintage Berkeley
YogaKula