Photo Flash: Katori Hall, Woodie King, Jr., et al. at All Stars Project Gala

The All Stars Project (ASP) held its national gala benefit entitled, Big Builders for Young People, on Monday, May 7, at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. Celebrating over 30 years of success of afterschool programs for inner city youth, the All Stars Project raised $2 million to benefit the All Stars' innovative afterschool youth development programs.

The All Stars Project Groundbreakers Awards were presented to Katori Hall, Broadway playwright, for her work in helping to open doors for new voices in the American theatre and Woodie King, Jr., Founder and Producing Director, New Federal Theatre for his pioneering efforts and outstanding accomplishments in Black theatre. Katori Hall's play Children of Killers will make its American premiere at the Castillo Theatre in September 2012. Groundbreaker Awardees also included David C. Banks, President and CEO, Eagle Academy Foundation, Valerie and William Bell, Founders, Sean Elijah Bell Community Center and Anderson J. Franklin, Ph.D. Honorable David S. Nelson Professor of Psychology and Education, Boston College.

Renowned dancer, Desmond Richardson, co-founder and artistic director of Complexions Dance Company, choreographed a special dance piece featuring 11 inner-city youth performers from the All Stars Project.

See below for a photo of the gala's participants, honorees and attendees!

The event also highlighted the newly formed partnership between the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the All Stars Project's program, Operation Conversation: Cops and Kids, a community relations initiative that brings together New York City police officers and youth from the community. Commissioner Raymond Kelly, NYPD, was a special guest.

The event showcased the upcoming opening of the All Stars' new facility in Newark, New Jersey, The Scott Flamm Center for Afterschool Development - a thriving hub of cultural activities giving young people from the poorest communities opportunities to work with the best professionals in theatre, business and education.

The Gala was hosted by Roscoe Orman, "Gordon" on Sesame Street and featured hip-hop, rap and dance performances by youth of the All Stars.