The Black Star Project is a left-of-center African American- and Hispanic-empowerment organization in Chicago that partners with local universities.

Background

The Black Star Project (TBSP) is a left-of-center nonprofit organization that focuses on elevating African Americans in the fields of economics, business, and management. The Project is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1996 by Phillip Jackson. The current executive officer is Gloria Smith. ^{1 2}

TBSP is partnered with 33 different organizations, including the University of Chicago. ³

People

Phillip Jackson was born in 1950 and raised in Chicago. He held numerous jobs, including senior vice president of bookstore chain Kroch’s & Brentano’s, assistant budget director for the City of Chicago, and the chief executive officer for the Chicago Housing Authority. ⁴ Jackson worked his way up to the position of Chief of Education for the city. He created the Black Star Project to further his commitment to promoting Black and Hispanic prosperity in the city. Jackson died in 2018. ⁵

As of March 2023, the chief executive of TBSP is Gloria Smith. ⁶

Funding

In 2016, the Black Star Project had total revenues of $888,528, and its revenue was just under $800,000 in 2017. In 2018, total revenue dropped to $344,862, and it was $94,298 in 2019. According to the organization’s 2020 990 form, TBSP received $200,996 in donations in 2020, and its total revenue was $207,949. TBSP does not list who contributes to its organization. The rest of the revenue is made through program services, small investments, and other undisclosed sources. ⁷

The organization had $885,125 in total expenses in 2016, $892,882 in 2017, $307,695 in 2018, $193,218 in 2019, and $207,335 in 2021. ⁸

Programs

The Black Star Project has 30 different programs which focus on teaching and mentorship of Black men. ⁹

The Black Star Project held eleven events over the course of 2022, including information workshops for “economic empowerment” of Black men and women. One such workshop was an event held on September 29th, 2022, which gave legal counsel to job seekers who have a criminal record. ¹⁰

1. “2022 Programs,” The Black Star Program, January 9, 2022, https://www.blackstarproject.org/2022programs
2. “Our Founder,” The Black Star Program, January 9, 2022, https://www.blackstarproject.org/our-founder-1
3. ^[1] “Partnerships,” The Black Star Program, January 9, 2022, https://www.blackstarproject.org/partnerships
4. “Our Founder,” The Black Star Program, January 9, 2022, https://www.blackstarproject.org/our-founder-1
5. “Our Founder,” The Black Star Program, January 9, 2022, https://www.blackstarproject.org/our-founder-1
6. “Our Founder,” The Black Star Program, January 9, 2022, https://www.blackstarproject.org/our-founder-1
7. “The Black Star Project – Form Form 990 for Period Ending Jun 2020 – Nonprofit Explorer,” ProPublica, May 9, 2013, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/364098045
8. ^[1] “The Black Star Project – Form Form 990 for Period Ending Jun 2020 – Nonprofit Explorer,” ProPublica, May 9, 2013, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/364098045
9. “2022 Programs,” The Black Star Program, January 9, 2022, https://www.blackstarproject.org/2022programs
10. “2022 Programs,” The Black Star Program, January 9, 2022, https://www.blackstarproject.org/2022programs