BlackBark Productions was founded in 2010 by Laura Barker. A seasoned media and marketing professional with intimate knowledge of recognition and awards programs, Laura saw the opportunity to launch  an awards ceremony that celebrated young future leaders – with this the Rising Star Awards was born.

The Rising Star Awards – now in its 11th year has recognised scores of young talented individuals who are now seasoned professionals. Past winners and finalists – the Rising Star Alumni – make up a group of leaders committed to the upliftment and development of young people everywhere. Rising Star Alumni regularly give of their time to mentor young future leaders. The Rising Star Summit  also brings alumni together as part of three generations of talent addressing some of the most pressing issues facing young people.

The GradStar Awards – Every year thousands of students and recently qualified graduates enter into the Awards in order to be recognised as the most employable students in the country. These students are assessed against criteria that employers look for in their ideal recruits. From thousands of entries, GradStar announces  the Top 500. The Top 500 then go on to complete further assessments before the finalists  – The Top 100 – are announced. Gradstar will then pay for transport and accommodation to bring these bright young minds together for three days packed with employer workshops, the gala GradStar Awards, a leadership summit and The Students’ Choice Awards.

BlackBark Productions, through its subsidiary, Careers Star, has also launched the GradStar App. This is the first of its kind in the world and is a connection app designed uniquely for students. After thorough consulting with students and through in-depth market research, this mobile app is a unique space where students can connect with each other, interact on a social wall, find job opportunities, and their profiles can be matched by potential employers. Recruiters in tunn make use of the app to conduct exact search and match to suit their recruitment needs.

Schools Star Awards – Launching in 2022, the Schools Star Awards is a natural progression for BlackBark Productions in recognising young talent.

The Schools Star Programme identifies the most promising school leavers across the nation and promotes equal opportunities for all.

By partnering with Schools Star, companies have the opportunity to create impact for all young people, especially the most marginalised. All partnerships on the Schools Star Awards include a give-back programme, where funds are redirected to the most disadvantaged and needy schools and students.