Jeanne Starr Gater, author of Bring Back Summertime, is also an experienced leader in the Entertainment Industry. She is the President of JamStarr Entertainment since May 2018; and since 1996, has also been the president of Castleberry Toys; creating and manufacturing the award-winning Supa Dupa Babee Anti-Drugs, Anti Violence Educational Toys. Jeanne’s Supa Dupa Babee Curriculum which warns kids about the pitfalls and dangers of drugs that can interfere with having a healthy lifestyle, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996 by the Detroit Old Timers, a group of former MI professional basketball team players. Because of the induction, her program received numerous local Detroit and Michigan State Awards. Her awards also led to a special citation from Michigan Governor, Jennifer Granholm, for her Supa Dupa Babee “Healthy and Smart, Friends Forever” stage production. In 2004, Jeanne was also listed in the National Register’s Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals, highlighting her prolific background as an educator, television producer, and editorial writer.
Jeanne has come full circle as her company JamStarr Entertainment is now in production of the Bring Back Summertime Feature Film. In 2012, after numerous requests, Jeanne adapted the movie’s screenplay from her Bring Back Summertime book. A year later in 2013, The Dove Foundation Review Board called the Bring Back Summertime Screenplay ‘powerful’. They also described the screenplay as ‘moving’ and awarded the manuscript their coveted “Family-Approved” Seal for ages twelve and over.
While working for WLS-TV Chicago, IL, Jeanne’s prolific writing and production skills gained the station an Editorial Emmy Award in 1979 for her Editorial: “Uptown, Dumping Ground for the Mentally Ill.” The station promoted Jeanne to Editorial, Community Affairs, and Public Service Director for their ABC owned sister station, WXYZ Radio in Detroit, MI. There, she researched and wrote all station editorials; and represented the station for political, social and community affairs events. She also became the station’s key spokesperson with the MI Association of Broadcasters and at the United States Government, Washington D.C. Congressional Dinners and Luncheons. Jeanne was also responsible for handling the radio station’s licensing ascertainment requirements with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
Later, as Associate Director of Communications for New Detroit Inc. (NDI), Jeanne became the coalition’s chief speech writer for the President and Chairman, and was also Co-Editor of New Detroit’s NOW Magazine. Her most notable contribution for New Detroit was as the scriptwriter and producer of the coalition's fifteenth year anniversary documentary: “Partnership, Planning for Progress!”. She was also responsible for the preparation of press releases and the media relations liaison for NDI Press Conferences.
Jeanne’s outstanding work as a television reporter, creative writing and editorial background prepared her well to produce her own television talk show, Higher and Higher. The public affairs talk show covered unique topics including a special memorial to the late great Tennis Star, Arthur Ashe, and an outstanding two-part series on Saving the African American Male. Her personal involvement in interviewing Hispanic teens and African American youth caught up in the drug culture, led to Jeanne becoming a staunch advocate for the salvation of youth, and eventually the creation of her award-winning Supa Dupa Babee Anti-Drugs, Anti-Violence Curriculum. The curriculum and the curriculum's learning reinforcement materials were endorsed by the MI Council of Governments and are still currently being used by educators and the Detroit Police Department.
Jeanne’s earlier career years included working as a Business Educator/Office Occupations Coordinator at Carver Area High School in Chicago, Il where she developed 21 new training stations for her Office Occupations students. Later, as a Business Education Teacher, and Yearbook Adviser for Cass Technical High School, Detroit; MI she was the recipient of the Josten’s Outstanding Yearbook Publication Award for Cass Tech’s 1984/85 Yearbook: “A Golden Year.”
Jeanne was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, but at the age of two her parents moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she spent her early formative years. Jean to her surprise was voted Carver's Prom Queen by senior teachers and during her senior year also voted by teachers and students as the ‘Most Outstanding Senior Graduate’ of Carver High School. During the same year she was also awarded a Mayor Daly Youth Scholarship that enabled her to earn her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education from De Paul University. Jeanne was recruited for a modeling career while working part-time during her college years at the public relations firm of America's, Olympic Track Star, the late great, Jesse Owens. As fate would have it, after college graduation and marriage and two children, Jeanne was able to return to her alma mater, Carver High School where she taught business subjects and became the schools Office Occupations Coordinator. During her summers off from teaching, Jeanne modeled and as prompted by the Shirley Hamilton Modeling Agency studied acting at the Ted Liss Actors Workshop in Oak Park, IL. She later became a proud member of Screen Actors Guild with her first commercial acting job during the summer of 1972,
In 1977 Jeanne earned a Master’s Degree in Popular Culture/Journalism, and Broadcast Communications from Governor’s State University, Park Forest South, Illinois. Jeanne holds current membership in ASCAP, the American Society of Composers Authors & Publishers; and also holds both SAG/AFTRA Producer and Actor membership.
A Personal Journey
Jeanne Starr Gater stated the unexpected, near-fatal accident of her husband Dr. ‘J,’ caused her to reassess a number of things about her life; and strongly renewed her faith in God. “It is not for us to just reference the universe we live in as our guide; but we have to continually develop our personal connection and relationship with our omnipotent God, our Creator. Circumstances in life can often force us to develop our ability to endure, survive, and focus on the spiritual aspect of our life’s journey. With that, often comes the realization that nothing is more important than being accountable that our family remains ‘okay’ regardless of incidents that can take us off course. There were people from all walks of life who helped Dr. ‘J’ survive a horrendous truck accident that from all outward appearances and statistics was to end his life. Miracles, divine intervention and love are critical themes of the Bring Back Summertime storyline that will enable readers to renew their faith in God; and in a higher power that permeates our entire universe.”
Taking a journey that focused on family and community speaks volumes about this remarkable woman who against all odds was able keep her family together as she fought steadily to bring back summertime. Giving to family and community the greater of her talents is a sincere testament to her faith and belief in the strength of the human spirit, which is highlighted throughout her honest discourse shared with readers in Bring Back Summertime. Jeanne Starr Gater's three children fared remarkably well during the family's struggles; giving much credence to the underlying theme of triumph over tragedy highlighted throughout her riveting story. Jeanne's ability to bring readers into the fold of Bring Back Summertime will have audiences rooting against all odds for the restoration and full recovery of "Dr. J.” Her story is truly an inspiration for everyone.