Our Story

From One Woman’s Vision to a “Home of the Creative”

InnaStar was born from a simple but urgent question:

Where do creatives especially youth and underserved communitiesgo to feel seen, supported, and safe to shine?

Founder and Executive Director, filmmaker, author, and mentor, Jacinth Headlam, carried that question with her as she navigated her own journey from Jamaica to Brooklyn to the Lehigh Valley; from struggling artist to award-winning creative and community builder. Along the way, she saw how many talented people were hidden in plain sight: young people battling low confidence, adults carrying unhealed trauma, and elders who had quietly given up on their own dreams.

InnaStar was created as a response and a solution to a gap she felt deeply here in the Lehigh Valley for artists like herself. Coming from a major creative hub like New York City, Jacinth witnessed a lack of resources, stages, and support systems for local creatives. She wanted to bridge that gap and build a space where talent is celebrated, nurtured, and given a platform to shine. What started as a vision has grown into a grassroots “Home of the Creative” with year round programs and two anchor events: the InnaStar Trailblazer Awards and the Holiday Giveaway Celebration. Since our first Trailblazer Awards in 2022, we’ve grown from an intimate gathering of about 80 guests to a full gala experience with over 300 attendees. The Trailblazer Awards now function as “a night for the culture” a red-carpet celebration that many describe as bringing the Grammys to the Lehigh Valley.

Our impact is both local and global:

• Youth Filmmaking: We serve at least 60 young people annually through our filmmaking labs, where students create their own short films from concept to completion.

• GLOW Confidence: We support a minimum of 50 youths each year through our GLOW Confidence workshops.

• GLOW Golden Stars (60+): We serve at least 20 older adults annually through our Golden Star GLOW Confidence program, helping elders rediscover their voice and confidence.

• International Creative Exchange: Through our International Creative Exchange Program (ICEP), we have reached approximately 50 students in Grand Cayman, 100 students in Liberia, and 600 students in Nigeria using the arts as a tool for healing, confidence, and cross-cultural connection.

Today, InnaStar:

• Runs youth filmmaking labs where students write, direct, and act in their own short films

• Hosts GLOW Confidence and On-Camera Confidence workshops for youth, adults, and elders

• Leads the International Creative Exchange Program (ICEP), sharing arts-based healing and storytelling across borders

• Uplifts local and international creatives through the InnaStar Trailblazer Awards, Trailblazers Spotlight, and community events like our annual Holiday Giveaway

At our core, we believe:

Creativity is not a luxury it’s a lifeline.

Stories are not just entertainment—they are tools for healing and change.

And when you give people a safe space to dream and be seen, they don’t just survive—they shine and tap into their INNASTAR.

That is the story of InnaStar: a community of stars, rising together.

Make a Difference

InnaStar is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Your investment in this generation of history-makers and trailblazers comes with an exciting set of benefits and privileges.

This sponsorship package provides you with a wealth of brand exposure, name recognition, and logo placement, keeping your name and brand at the forefront! All donations for InnaStar Youth Creative Programming & Workshops are greatly appreciated.