Step Up

Inspiration Awards. One event. Two cities.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles

Friday, September 26 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. PT

Location: Skirball Cultural Center - 2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

This lunchtime fête is not to be missed! Beginning with a red-carpet reception, guests will enjoy connecting and celebrating the impact of Step Up mentorship over a light lunch. Experience brand lounges hosted by our event partners and hear from girls and mentors involved with Step Up mentorship. Then, join us in honoring the women and girls who inspire us to define and pursue our dreams of success.

Attire: Luncheon chic – especially shades of navy, orange, or marigold.

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Chicago

Chicago

Thursday, November 13 | 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. CT

Location: Morgan MFG - 401 N Morgan St Suite #100, Chicago, IL 60642

Join us for an evening soiree designed to inspire! Sips and snacks will be served as guests connect with fellow thought leaders and celebrate the impact of Step Up mentorship. Experience brand lounges hosted by our event partners and hear from girls and mentors involved with Step Up. Then, join us in honoring the women and girls who inspire us to define and pursue our dreams of success.

Attire: Cocktail or business - especially shades of navy, orange, or marigold.

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Why Support Mentorship?

Why Support Mentorship?

Now more than ever, teen girls need our support. The challenges they face – from systemic barriers like discrimination and underrepresentation to the daily uncertainties of today's world – are immense. Step Up provides a vital lifeline: mentorship, a safe space, and the skills girls need to thrive. Our Inspiration Awards galas in Los Angeles (September 26) and Chicago (November 13) are crucial to raising $1 million for these life-changing programs. Will you join us in funding the future of women and girls?

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Los Angeles Tickets

Los Angeles Tickets

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Chicago Tickets

Chicago Tickets

Buy Tickets

Donate a Ticket

Donate a Ticket

Donate a ticket to a Step Up girl or community member so they can attend Inspiration Awards free of cost!

Donate a Ticket

Sponsorship Opportunities

For sponsorship inquiries, contact Jamie at jamie@suwn.org.

Step Up Orange Sponsors

Benefit Cosmetics

Benefit Cosmetics

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U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank

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Platinum Paths Sponsors

Illinois Cafe Services Company

Illinois Cafe Services Company

Kérastase

Kérastase

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Guiding Gold Sponsors

First Citizens Bank

First Citizens Bank

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PwC

PwC

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Successful Silver Sponsors

Successful Silver Sponsors

Baker Tilly

Michael Stars

Neal Gerber Eisenberg

Ulta Beauty

Inspiration Awards Supporter

Inspiration Awards Supporter

City National Bank

Event Sponsors

Event Sponsors

Interested in sponsoring Inspiration Awards 2025? Contact Jamie at jamie@suwn.org.

Past Honorees

  • Gabrielle Union

    Gabrielle Union

    2016

  • Tracee Ellis Ross

    Tracee Ellis Ross

    2017

  • Yara Shahidi

    Yara Shahidi

    2017

  • Zoe Saldana

    Zoe Saldana

  • Elizabeth Banks

    Elizabeth Banks

    2015

  • Regina Hall

    Regina Hall

    2018

  • Debbie Allen

    Debbie Allen

    2020

  • Yvonne Orji

    Yvonne Orji

    2024

  • Isabela Merced

    Isabela Merced

    2024

  • Julie Bowen

    Julie Bowen

  • S. Epatha Merkerson

    S. Epatha Merkerson

    2024

  • Marcia Cross

    Marcia Cross

  • Lisa Ling

    Lisa Ling

  • Kelly Rutherford

    Kelly Rutherford

  • Jennifer Love Hewitt

    Jennifer Love Hewitt

  • Sara Ramirez

    Sara Ramirez

  • Geena Davis

    Geena Davis

  • Jodie Turner-Smith

    Jodie Turner-Smith

    2023

  • Marsai Martin

    Marsai Martin

    2017

  • Chrissy Metz

    Chrissy Metz

    2020

  • Marissa Solis

    Marissa Solis

    2020

  • Tina Turk

    Tina Turk

  • Suzanne Lerner

    Suzanne Lerner

    2023

  • Michelle Klein

    Michelle Klein

    2021

  • Annie Ford Danielson

    Annie Ford Danielson

    2019

  • She is the Music accepted by Lauren Jauregui

    She is the Music accepted by Lauren Jauregui

    2019

  • Lea Michele

    Lea Michele

    2016

  • Ashlee Margolis

    Ashlee Margolis

    Executive Honoree 2024

  • Valeisha Butterfield

    Valeisha Butterfield

    Executive Honoree 2024

  • Joy Lyu Monahan

    Joy Lyu Monahan

    Executive Honoree 2024

  • Sonia Menon

    Sonia Menon

    2023

  • Peter Kim

    Peter Kim

    2015

  • Camila Alves McConaughey

    Camila Alves McConaughey

  • Christina Hendricks

    Christina Hendricks

  • Jennie Garth

    Jennie Garth

Past Teen Honorees

  • Paloma Molina-Olmedo

    Paloma Molina-Olmedo

    Step Up Class of 2024

  • Uchechi Ike

    Uchechi Ike

    Step Up Class of 2024

  • Gladis Ramirez

    Gladis Ramirez

    Step Up Class of 2023
    UCLA Class of 2027

  • Saisree Kumar

    Saisree Kumar

    Step Up Class of 2023

  • Tiara Soto

    Tiara Soto

    Step Up Class of 2022

  • Monica Laddaran

    Monica Laddaran

    Step Up Young Adult Honoree 2023

  • Valeria Gonzalez

    Valeria Gonzalez

    Step Up Class of 2020

  • Alondra Anaya

    Alondra Anaya

    Step Up Class of 2019

  • Viviana Hurtado

    Viviana Hurtado

    Step Up Class of 2018

  • Briana Carbajal

    Briana Carbajal

    Step Up Class of 2017

  • Kimberly Martinez

    Kimberly Martinez

    Step Up Class of 2017

  • Rocio Robledo

    Rocio Robledo

    Step Up Class of 2016

  • Maria Soto

    Maria Soto

    Step Up Class of 2015

  • Tamia Walker

    Tamia Walker

    Step Up Class of 2014

  • Angie Zavala

    Angie Zavala

    Step Up Class of 2013

  • Kalen Israel

    Kalen Israel

    Step Up Class of 2012

  • Lulu Favela

    Lulu Favela

    Step Up Class of 2012

  • Yosselin Melgar

    Yosselin Melgar

    Step Up Class of 2011

  • Kara Israel

    Kara Israel

    Step Up Class of 2010

  • Shalisa Craig

    Shalisa Craig

    Step Up Class of 2008

  • Genola Thomas

    Genola Thomas

    Step Up Class of 2008

Past Presenters

  • Jessica Alba

    Jessica Alba

  • Eva Longoria

    Eva Longoria

  • Julie Bowen

    Julie Bowen

  • Mandy Moore

    Mandy Moore

  • Jamie Lee Curtis

    Jamie Lee Curtis

  • January Jones

    January Jones

  • Sanaa Lathan

    Sanaa Lathan

  • MC Lyte

    MC Lyte

  • Katherine McNamara

    Katherine McNamara

  • Jessy Schram

    Jessy Schram

  • Chandler Kinney

    Chandler Kinney

  • Dawn McCoy

    Dawn McCoy

  • Cree

    Cree

  • Gabrielle Union

    Gabrielle Union

  • Essence Atkins

    Essence Atkins

  • Lauren Ash

    Lauren Ash

  • Skylar Astin

    Skylar Astin

  • Amanda Crew

    Amanda Crew

  • Ester Dean

    Ester Dean

  • Channing Dungey

    Channing Dungey

  • Peter Facinelli

    Peter Facinelli

  • Carrie Fisher

    Carrie Fisher

  • James Gunn

    James Gunn

  • Regina Hall

    Regina Hall

  • Kaye Popofsky Kramer

    Kaye Popofsky Kramer

  • Busy Philipps

    Busy Philipps

  • Constance Ramos

    Constance Ramos

  • Nikki Reed

    Nikki Reed

  • Phoebe Robinson

    Phoebe Robinson

  • Jamie Lynn Sigler

    Jamie Lynn Sigler

  • Stacey Snider

    Stacey Snider

  • JoAnna Garcia Swisher

    JoAnna Garcia Swisher

  • David Tutera

    David Tutera

  • Aisha Tyler

    Aisha Tyler

  • Lilliana Vazquez

    Lilliana Vazquez

  • Ariel Winter

    Ariel Winter

  • Val Warner

    Val Warner

  • Ebonee Davis

    Ebonee Davis

  • Delores Druilhet Morton

    Delores Druilhet Morton

  • Erica Ash

    Erica Ash

  • Garcelle Beauvais

    Garcelle Beauvais

  • Ana Calderon

    Ana Calderon

Inspiration Awards in the News

  • Modern Luxury Chicago Social

    Modern Luxury Chicago Social

    May 22, 2025

  • NBC Chicago Today

    NBC Chicago Today

    November 15, 2024

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  • NBC 5 News at 4PM

    NBC 5 News at 4PM

    November 14, 2024

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  • Chicago Tribune

    Chicago Tribune

    November 13, 2023

    Read More

  • The Hollywood Reporter

    The Hollywood Reporter

    November 13, 2024

    Read More

  • WGN 9

    WGN 9

    November 1, 2024

    Read More

  • Creators Faire

    Creators Faire

    September 20, 2024

    Read More

  • Zuma Press

    Zuma Press

    September 20, 2024

    Read More

  • Shutterstock

    Shutterstock

    September 20, 2024

    Read More

  • OK Magazine

    OK Magazine

    September 20, 2024

    Read More

  • Maximo TV

    Maximo TV

    September 20, 2024

    Read More

  • Getty Images

    Getty Images

    September 20, 2024

    Read More

  • Celeb Mafia

    Celeb Mafia

    September 20, 2024

    Read More

  • Celebs First

    Celebs First

    September 20, 2024

    Read More

  • BEImages

    BEImages

    September 20, 2024

    Read More

  • Creators Faire

    Creators Faire

    November 17, 2023

    Read More

  • Variety

    Variety

    October 18, 2023

    Read More

  • The Hollywood Reporter

    The Hollywood Reporter

    October 13, 2023

    Read More

  • Associated Press

    Associated Press

    October 9, 2023

    Read More

  • Footwear News

    Footwear News

    October 8, 2023

    Read More

  • People Magazine

    People Magazine

    October 7, 2023

    Read More

  • People Magazine

    People Magazine

    October 7, 2023

    Read More

  • Us Weekly

    Us Weekly

    June 6, 2019

    Read More

  • The Hollywood Reporter

    The Hollywood Reporter

    June 1, 2019

    Read More

  • Billboard

    Billboard

    May 31, 2019

    Read More

  • Variety

    Variety

    June 1, 2018

    Read More

  • KTLA 5 Morning News

    KTLA 5 Morning News

    May 29, 2018

    Read More

  • Los Angeles Times

    Los Angeles Times

    June 5, 2017

    Read More

  • The Hollywood Reporter

    The Hollywood Reporter

    June 2, 2017

    Read More

  • Just Jared

    Just Jared

    May 21, 2016

    Read More

  • Variety

    Variety

    May 21, 2016

    Read More

  • Variety

    Variety

    June 8, 2015

    Read More

  • Just Jared

    Just Jared

    May 30, 2014

    Read More

  • Variety

    Variety

    May 29, 2014

    Read More

  • The Hollywood Reporter

    The Hollywood Reporter

    May 31, 2013

    Read More

Event Contacts

  • Jamie Kogan

    Jamie Kogan

    Contact Jamie for sponsorships.

    Contact

  • Alissa Zito Cruz

    Alissa Zito Cruz

    Contact Alissa for media and talent.

    Contact

  • Kelsey

    Kelsey

    Contact Kelsey for tickets.

    Contact

  • Delores Morton

    Delores Morton

    CEO

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510 South Hewitt Street #111 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Phone: 201-468-0568 / Email: national@suwn.org

Step Up is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit registered in the US under EIN: 95-4701468.

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