MEET OUR FOUNDER
"The girls who are on the other end of my service, are the reflection of who I am or once was"
- Thea L.
Hello, I'm Thea, a Wilmington native and Program Coordinator for a local nonprofit. My passion lies in cultivating our community, and I've been an advocate for education, youth development, and environmental justice. Coming from a family legacy of service, initiated by my grandfather, William “Hicks” Anderson, a prominent 1970s community activist, and carried on by my father, a State Representative and former City Council member.
My journey advocating for Black Girls emerged from navigating multiple identities, shaped by meeting my father at nine and a mother overcoming addiction. Discovering the concept of adultification in 2015, I had a hard time understanding my place in life, being exposed to situations beyond my years. Girls Like Us (G.L.U) focuses on empowering Black Girls to transcend challenging circumstances. We introduce concept of intersectionality and adultification, encouraging them to embrace multiple identities as motivation for positive change.
Our mentors, with similar backgrounds, exemplify that acknowledging the truth and using it as fuel can bring about radical life changes. G.L.U's niche is pairing girls with mentors and advocating for change, providing resources for Black Girls not just to survive Blackgirlhood but to thrive in it!
COMMUNITY WORK
Harlan Park Civic Association - President
Delaware Democratic Committee - 1st Ward Chair
Brandywine School District Parent Advisory Council - Member
National Coalition of 100 Black Women Delaware (NCBWDE - Member
I Can Do 26.2 Kids Running Series - Board Member
Delaware Pacem in Terris - Board Member
Network Delaware Community Organizer - Ella Baker Program
Mary Ann's List ( MAL) -Member
James H. Gilliam, Sr. Fellow
BS in Integrated Marketing - Bloomsburg University