The Future is Now
On a sweltering summer day in 2017, students preparing to enter Baker College Prep’s Class of 2021 gathered for the school’s freshman bridge program, a time designed to ease the transition into high school. But this year was different. For the first time, student mentors from a new school initiative called the Pride Peer Mentoring Program were embedded into the experience, bringing peer-led leadership, guidance, and encouragement.
Among the incoming students was Essi Adoukou. Though small in stature, Essi’s presence commanded attention. She was the first to raise her hand, volunteering to lead, and the student who made the student mentors take notice, not just for her confidence but also for her potential.
At the time, Essi wasn’t yet a mentor in the program, but the spark was undeniable. The energy and initiative she showed during the summer bridge program laid the foundation for her future involvement with the program. By her junior year, she officially joined the Pride Peer Mentoring Program, taking on the role of mentor for younger students. Through this experience, her leadership grew: she learned to guide her peers, communicate with empathy, and own her voice. Those skills shaped her high school journey and set her up for success at Grinnell College.
That leadership came full circle this May when Essi crossed the commencement stage to massive applause from her Grinnell peers. But she wasn’t the only Lion’s Pride Mentoring representative on the stage. Joining her was Co-Founder and Executive Director Jasmine Gilstrap Hunter, who received an honorary degree as this year’s K-12 educator honoree, having been nominated by Essi herself as a testament to the life-changing impact of Lion’s Pride Mentoring.
What began as a summer bridge program became the starting point of a journey that would redefine what student leadership, mentorship, and educational equity could look like. And as Essi and Jasmine stood side by side on that day, the future the Lion’s Pride Mentoring dreamed of in 2017 came to life.
In her honorary degree response speech, Jasmine reminded the audience why educational leaders are indispensable to our society and the long-term impact they have on the trajectory of their students:
“When I began teaching in 2013, my mission was simple yet profound: to positively impact the lives of my students. I wanted to give them the space to explore the fullness of their potential and grow into the best versions of themselves. I aspired to provide my students with the opportunities to develop the courage and confidence to chase their dreams, no matter how inconceivable or impossible.
Our educational system is the crux of our students’ success, but today, we are facing unprecedented challenges. The very resources that once helped my students grow, dream, and thrive are disappearing rapidly. In the fallout, I am committed to remaining steadfast in the mission of Lion’s Pride Mentoring to empower our young people to be the leaders of tomorrow.”
Jasmine’s words reflect the heart of Essi’s journey and the broader vision that continues to guide our work. From the classroom to the commencement stage, Lion’s Pride Mentoring is extremely grateful to Essi, Grinnell College, our dedicated program alumni, and the students currently rising through our programs. This milestone is more than a celebration; it’s a powerful marker of our growing impact on Chicago’s educational landscape.
At Lion's Pride Mentoring, our focus is on supporting the leaders of tomorrow. We walk with students through the uncertainty of transitioning to high school and celebrate with them as they step into their greatness. However, our ability to continue this work is currently at risk.
Due to funding cuts, we face difficult choices, choices that could mean fewer workshops, fewer school partnerships, and fewer stories like Essi’s.
If you would like to support the Lion’s Pride Mentoring mission and work, please support our 5000 for 5 campaign! For less than a cup of coffee, you can make a difference! Our goal is to have 5000 people donate just $5 towards the development of our young people.
