In its first year, students came up with the name True Star, designed the logo, created the editorial philosophy and developed the content for a four-page newsletter. Since that initial program True Star Foundation has grown to eight programs, providing over 500 Chicago youth with after-school and summer apprenticeship programs annually. The media produced has also grown from a newsletter into two quarterly magazines, a blog, a YouTube channel and radio show.

The media produced has also grown from a newsletter into two quarterly magazines, a blog, a youtube channel, radio show and podcasts. In 2018, True Star ceased printing True Star Magazine and launched the digital platform truestar.life where youth create digital media content. But not only do youth create the media, they advise and execute business strategy, conduct market research, develop marketing campaigns, and are the ultimate decision makers of the brand and direction of the organization. True Star youth also develop digital content for external clients.

The True Star brand represents the voice and vision of urban youth. It is a platform for youth to inform, inspire, entertain, and educate their peers.  True Star offers an alternative to the negative images of urban youth in today’s media. Through various programming, the organization offers unique opportunities for youth to create and be the center of their own media. With this, they learn skills in advising and executing business strategy, advertising sales, marketing, and the conclusive direction of the brand and media.