Fired Up for School Brings Energy, Equity, and Community to the Lakefront

On Saturday, August 9, families, young people, and community members will gather at Promontory Point for Fired Up for School—an afternoon of music, games, raffles, and connection. Created by Dora Hopkins and co-sponsored by the Albert “Pete” Pero, Jr. and Cheryl Stewart Pero Center for Intersectionality Studies at LSTC, this back-to-school celebration is free and open to all.

You can register for the event here.

For Hopkins, the event is the natural next step for Hear Us Roar, the youth-led organization she co-founded to give teens and young adults a voice on issues like safety, gun control, and community violence. “People have poured into me and told me that I am the future,” she said. “I want young people to know that they are the future, too.”

Hopkins has aimed for Fired Up for School to be more than a simple supply giveaway. “I didn’t want to just hand out backpacks [filled with school supplies] and have people leave,” she explained. “I wanted them to have an experience—with music, activities, and time together—so they could walk away feeling seen, supported, and part of something bigger.”

Why Promontory Point? The scenic lakefront park offers more than just a beautiful backdrop; it was free to use and open to passersby. “Being in a public space meant people could stumble upon the event, see the energy, and want to join in,” Hopkins said.

Hear Us Roar’s mission to amplify youth voices aligned naturally with the Pero Center’s focus on equity and justice. “Even though we’re not religiously based, we believe in including everyone,” Hopkins said. “Intersectionality means recognizing all the parts of a person’s identity—like me being Black, Queer, and a woman—and how those experiences connect. The Pero Center understands that, and their support has been amazing.”

The event features performances from Victoria Djembe, Leah Acé, and SimajB—artists selected for their talent and connection to young audiences. Hopkins sees back-to-school season as one of the most important moments in a child’s life. “It’s a fresh start,” she said. “People supplied me with school supplies when I was young, and that made me want to do well in school. Now I get to pass that spark on to the next generation.”

That commitment to passing it forward mirrors the values at the heart of the Pero Center’s mission. “Young people today are saying, ‘We should be seen and heard,’” Hopkins said. “We value mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, and respect across generations. It’s about making the present—and the future—better for everyone.”

Pulling the event together wasn’t without challenges. Hopkins admits she’s an independent thinker who likes to do things her own way. “Asking for help was hard for me,” she said. “But working with sponsors and partners brought better quality and more activities than I could have managed alone. Compromise was worth it.”

The community’s response has already sparked conversations about the future. Sponsors are offering space and support for 2026, and Hopkins is considering ways to expand, from hosting similar events in other states to launching a podcast and even an award show. “I’m not saying a definite ‘yes’ yet—I want to see the feedback first—but the encouragement I’ve received is incredible,” she said. “It starts small and grows, like a snowball. I hope it keeps going and going.”

Fired Up for School may be just one afternoon on the lakefront, but for the young people who attend, and for Hopkins, it marks a powerful moment of community, creativity, and the belief that the future is worth investing in.

Responses to interview questions have been edited lightly for length and clarity.