Our Blog

At the 11th Annual Stakeholders event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, over 100 i.c.stars supporters, alumni, and family members came together to consider the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and celebrate a year of i.c.stars impact through the ‘starfactor’ that enables each alumni to impact the lives of 1000 as they act as change agents in their communities.

The day was filled with delicious courses that filled the mind and body. Oba William King from JustUs Arts kicked off the event with a rousing “Course on King speech” about the power of Dr. King and the inequality that still exists in America and why it must be addressed. He then led all the children who headed to the Bin 36 loft for a morning of creativity and artistic endeavors. From there, i.c.stars president and co-founder Sandee Kastrul led the “Course On Vision” over salad. Sandee encouraged all the attendees to think about what they would design, create, and build if the world was fair – and what actions they should take given the world is not.

Wheeler Coleman, VP and CTO of HCSC, then led the “Course on Industry” where he asked the group ‘What is your avatar” and showed how technology has given us more opportunities to connect and impact one another. This was followed by the “Course on Leadership”, where Brandies Dunagan played an alumni-produced video that highlighted some impact stories and Maria Jordan Smith from Charter One Bank presented the Egghead Award to long time board member and friend Ellen Barry in recognition of her community impact.

One delicious lunch later, we were ready for the “Course on Impact”, where three members of the i.c.stars community spoke about the impact alumni have had on their organizations and lives. Silvia Prickel, an i.c.stars employer, spoke about how the i.c.stars alum who works at United Airlines was heads and shoulders above the rest and “whatever you’re doing, keep doing it!” Jim Stoynoff, a long time i.c.stars volunteer and recent social media client, discussed how i.c.stars has transformed the web social media presence of his company and continues to show the value of their services. Mayoree Elizalde, daughter of Bea Elizalde (Alum from Cycle 10), talked about how her mom helped her spearhead a talent show.

The event closed with dessert and the “Course on Creativity”, where all the children returned with to share their artwork and sing “I Love My People” with the audience, everyone united in their vision for a better world and commitment to achieving it.

All and all, it was a wonderful event, and an indication of many great things to come with i.c.stars in 2011!