MEET OUR FOUNDER
“Every girl I serve reflects a piece of my own journey — who I was, who I am, and who I’m still becoming.”
— Thea Lopez
Hello, I'm Thea Lopez—a Wilmington native, community organizer, environmental educator, and youth development leader. My life's work lives at the intersection of culture, healing, environmental stewardship, and community power, creating spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and inspired to lead.
Service is part of my family's legacy. My grandfather, William "Hicks" Anderson, was a respected community activist who believed every young person deserved someone who believed in them. That legacy continued through my father, a social worker and public servant, who taught me that leadership isn't about titles—it's about showing up, standing up, and serving others.
My advocacy for Black girls is deeply personal. Growing up navigating multiple identities, meeting my father later in childhood, and being raised by a mother in recovery shaped my understanding of resilience, compassion, and what it means for children to carry burdens they were never meant to bear. When I learned about the concept of adultification in 2015, it gave language to experiences that so many Black girls—including myself—had lived. It also gave me purpose.
That purpose became Girls Like Us (G.L.U.).
Girls Like Us was founded to ensure Black and Brown girls are recognized as children first—worthy of joy, protection, healing, and opportunity. Through culturally affirming mentorship, social-emotional learning, prevention education, leadership development, and community building, we help girls discover who they are, build confidence, strengthen healthy decision-making skills, and become leaders in their schools, families, and communities.
Because our girls deserve more than simply surviving—they deserve every opportunity to thrive.
That same vision expanded into Nguzo Nature Club, an environmental education program rooted in the African proverb:
"The land was given to us by our ancestors and lent to us by our children."
Nguzo Nature Club combines youth development, cultural identity, environmental justice, and outdoor learning to reconnect young people with the natural world. Through gardening, environmental stewardship, hands-on science, and the principles of Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa), youth learn that caring for the Earth is also caring for themselves, their community, and future generations.
Whether we're planting pollinator gardens, mentoring girls, exploring local parks, or advocating for healthier neighborhoods, the mission remains the same: to help young people discover their voice, embrace their identity, and recognize the power they have to create positive change.
Community & Civic Leadership
Beyond G.L.U & N.N.C., my work extends across Wilmington — advocating for community safety, education, environmental justice, and youth opportunity through multiple leadership roles:
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President, Harlan Park Civic Association
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1st Ward Chair, Delaware Democratic Committee
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Member, Brandywine School District Parent & Citizen Advisory Council
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Member, National Coalition of 100 Black Women Delaware Chapter (NCBWDE)
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Govenor Appointed Member, State of Delaware Parks & Recreation Council
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Northside Food & Culture Market - Advisory Committee Member
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Board Member, I Can Do 26.2 Kids Running Series
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Board Member, Delaware Pacem in Terris
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Village Hilltop Foundation - Board Member
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James H. Gilliam, Sr. Fellow
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Justice Outside, Rising Leader Fellow
Education: B.S. in Integrated Marketing, Bloomsburg University
Guided by Purpose
I believe in building bridges — between people, between communities, and between what is and what can be. Whether planting seeds in green spaces, mentoring youth, or shaping policy, my purpose remains the same:
“When girls thrive, communities rise"
Girls Like Us creates affirming spaces where Black and Brown girls develop confidence, leadership, emotional wellness, healthy decision-making skills, and supportive relationships.
Nguzo Nature Club extends that work into nature by connecting youth development, cultural identity, environmental justice, and community stewardship.
Together, these programs help young people understand who they are, where they come from, and how they can use their voices and gifts to strengthen their communities.