This Is What Love Looks Like: A Back-to-School Bash Built by Community, for Community
- Chicago Emerging Stars
- Oct 6
- 4 min read
“This Is What Love Looks Like”
A Recap of Our 2025 Third Annual Back-to-School Bash
There are moments that remind us why we do this work. Moments when a child’s laughter, a parent’s tears, or a volunteer’s hug tells a story no words ever could.
Saturday August 16, 2025 was one of those moments.
Over 3,500 youth and families came together at Cole Park—and what happened that day was so much more than a community event.
It was a movement. A celebration. A spark. A promise.
What Made This Year So Special?
Because this wasn’t about giveaways. It wasn’t about numbers or checklists or photo ops.
It was about joy. It was about showing up with intention.
And it was about sending a clear message to every young person who came through those gates:
You matter. You are not alone. You are deeply worthy of love, support, and a future full of light.
“This event helped my family feel empowered to have a successful school year. It showed us that education is more than just knowledge—it’s joy too.” — Parent
“To see my 9-year-old inspired by the story of a young founder made this event even more powerful for our family.” — Volunteer Parent
What We Built — Together
Thanks to the generosity of our partners, volunteers, and community, here’s what we made possible:
1,000+ free backpacks filled with school supplies
Free haircuts and styles for kids to show up fresh and confident
Live music, surprise performances, and unforgettable special guests
Delicious meals and treats for every guest, all day long
Ziplining, bounce houses, rock climbing, and nonstop activities
Free immunizations to support healthy starts
A Work & Wellness Fair offering job interviews, college access, mental health resources, and more for youth ages 16–24
Epic raffles—including gift-baskets and other dream prizes
And beyond that?
We created a space where every child could feel celebrated, every parent could feel supported, and every young person could feel seen.
“The experience was one that I feel benefited the kids because it sends them back to school dumping the stress of not having—giving them confidence and feelings of love by more than just the people in their house. You all spoke LOUD.” — Community Member & Parent
Built by Youth, for Youth
This wasn’t an event that got dropped into our community.
This was created by the community. Led by the community.
And most importantly—led by youth.
At just 20 years old, our founder Jaqueza Thomas continues to live the mission behind Chicago Emerging Stars:
To trust young people. To give them real leadership. And to build power from the inside out.
“Volunteering gave me insight on how much the community needs support and different outlets to thrive—not just in the classroom but outside it.” — Shaundria M, Volunteer
“As a vendor, I appreciated the scale of the event. To see so many youth and families gathered to ensure the start of school is a success brought pure joy to so many.” — Community Vendor
“I’ve been going to this event for three years. This one was the best yet. My children were excited. We had a good time. Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible.” — Returning Guest
Why Chicago Emerging Stars Is Different
At Chicago Emerging Stars, we’re not here to put a Band-Aid on broken systems.
We’re here to build something new.
Our mission is simple—but radical in a city where too many youth are overlooked:
To put young people on a positive path to success—no matter where they start.
We do that by:
Mentoring with real relationships
Creating programs that meet youth where they are
Removing barriers with resources that actually help
We believe in showing up. Not once a year—but consistently. We believe youth aren’t “the future”—they’re right now.
And we believe that when you invest in a young person’s purpose, the return is generational.
“This event showed me that we can come together as a community, show love, and be there for one another. It was enlightening and drama-free.” — Youth Guest
“It takes a village to raise a child. This event reminded us of that.” — Community Member
Where We Go From Here
We’re not done. Not even close.
We’re building all year long—with mentorship, leadership training, college readiness, job prep, and so much more.
We’re creating spaces where our youth feel seen, safe, and unstoppable. And this Bash? It’s just one chapter in a story we’re still writing—with YOU.
So whether you joined us as a guest, a volunteer, a partner, or a donor—thank you.
You were part of something bigger than a one-day event. You were part of a movement rooted in love, equity, and possibility.
Watch the Recap Video
Let the energy speak for itself.
Feel the joy. See the power. Share the love.
Want to Stay Involved?
Let’s build what our youth deserve.
We’re just getting started.
