One event. Two cities.

Inspiration Awards

Meet us in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, or in Chicago on Wednesday, November 18, for Step Up’s most highly anticipated event of the year – Inspiration Awards.

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Join Us for Our Biggest Event of the Year

Los Angeles

Friday, September 25 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. PT

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, hear from girls and mentors involved with Step Up mentorship, and join us in honoring the women and girls who inspire us to define and pursue our dreams of success.

Tickets for this event are not yet available.

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Chicago

Wednesday, November 18 | 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. CT

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, hear from girls and mentors involved with Step Up, and join us in honoring the women and girls who inspire us to define and pursue our dreams of success.

Tickets are not yet available for this event.

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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. Inspiration Awards plays a critical role in our fundraising efforts to support these life-changing programs. Will you join us in funding the future of women and girls?

Interested in sponsoring Inspiration Awards 2026? Contact Jamie at jamie@suwn.org.

Past Honorees

Gabrielle Union

2016

Tracee Ellis Ross

2017

Zoe Saldana

2014

Yara Shahidi

2017

Mandy Moore

2025

Storm Reid

2025

Jamie Chung

2025

Elizabeth Banks

2015

Regina Hall

2018

Camila Alves McConaughey

2012

Debbie Allen

2020

Yvonne Orji

2024

Isabela Merced

2024

Julie Bowen

2013

S. Epatha Merkerson

2024

Marcia Cross

2009

Lisa Ling

Kelly Rutherford

Jennifer Love Hewitt

Sara Ramirez

Geena Davis

Jodie Turner-Smith

2023

Marsai Martin

2017

Chrissy Metz

2020

Marissa Solis

2020

Tina Turk

2013

Suzanne Lerner

2023

Michelle Klein

2021

Annie Ford Danielson

2019

She is the Music accepted by Lauren Jauregui

2019

Lea Michele

2016

Luvvie Ajayi Jones

2025

Ashlee Margolis

Executive Honoree 2024

Valeisha Butterfield

Executive Honoree 2024

Joy Lyu Monahan

Executive Honoree 2024

Sonia Menon

2023

Peter Kim

2015

Christina Hendricks

2011

Jennie Garth

Margie Moreno

2025

Dr. Anjali Camara

2025

Nina Jacobson

2013

Sponsorship Opportunities

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

Presenting Sponsor

TOMS

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Step Up Orange Sponsors

Platinum Paths Sponsors

Benefit Cosmetics

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Kérastase

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Guiding Gold Sponsors

Successful Silver Sponsors

Baker Tilly

Inspiration Awards Supporter

Interested in sponsoring Inspiration Awards 2026? Contact Jamie at jamie@suwn.org.

Event Partners

Interesting in becoming an Inspiration Awards 2026 event partner? Contact Amanda at amanda@suwn.org.

Past Teen Honorees

Vanessa Galeno-Herrera

Step Up Class of 2026

Cree Hampton

Step Up Class of 2026

Paloma Molina-Olmedo

Step Up Class of 2025

Uchechi Ike

Step Up Class of 2025

Gladis Ramirez

Step Up Class of 2023
UCLA Class of 2027

Saisree Kumar

Step Up Class of 2023

Tiara Soto

Step Up Class of 2022

Monica Laddaran

Step Up Young Adult Honoree 2023

Valeria Gonzalez

Step Up Class of 2020

Alondra Anaya

Step Up Class of 2019

Viviana Hurtado

Step Up Class of 2018

Briana Carbajal

Step Up Class of 2017

Kimberly Martinez

Step Up Class of 2017

Rocio Robledo

Step Up Class of 2016

Maria Soto

Step Up Class of 2015

Tamia Walker

Step Up Class of 2014

Angie Zavala

Step Up Class of 2013

Kalen Israel

Step Up Class of 2012

Lulu Favela

Step Up Class of 2012

Yosselin Melgar

Step Up Class of 2011

Kara Israel

Step Up Class of 2010

Shalisa Craig

Step Up Class of 2008

Genola Thomas

Step Up Class of 2008

Past Presenters

Jessica Alba

Eva Longoria

Gabrielle Union

Mandy Moore

Jamie Lee Curtis

January Jones

Sanaa Lathan

Regina Hall

MC Lyte

Vanessa Lachey

Julie Bowen

Chris Sullivan

Robyn Simpson

Ramona Young

Elodie Yung

Katherine McNamara

Jessy Schram

Chandler Kinney

Dawn McCoy

Cree

Essence Atkins

Lauren Ash

Skylar Astin

Amanda Crew

Ester Dean

Channing Dungey

Peter Facinelli

Carrie Fisher

Garcelle Beauvais

James Gunn

Kaye Popofsky Kramer

Busy Philipps

Constance Ramos

Nikki Reed

Phoebe Robinson

Jamie Lynn Sigler

Stacey Snider

JoAnna Garcia Swisher

David Tutera

Aisha Tyler

Lilliana Vazquez

Ariel Winter

Val Warner

Ebonee Davis

Erica Ash

Ana Calderon

Delores Druilhet Morton

Baaba Holland

Andrya Smith

Suzanne Lerner

Hollis Heath

2025 Honorary Host Committee

Nia Sioux

actress, author & dancer

Camilla Luddington

actor

Kate Walsh

actress, producer & advocate

JaNa Craig

television personality & content creator

Julie Bowen

actress, entrepreneur & advocate; 2013 Inspiration Awards honoree

Heather Dubrow

TV personality & host

Alisha Wainright

actress & podcast host

Raegan Revord

actor & author

Lacey Chabert

actor, producer, host & entrepreneur

Ayesha Perry-Iqbal

speaker & women’s rights advocate

Anna Faris

actor

Angie Harmon

actor, director, producer & advocate

Anna Todd

author

Vita Kari

HOH visual & performance artist

Akira Akbar

actor

Dani Nicolet

actor, writer & director

Kimberly J. Brown

actor

Hayley Law

actor & musician

Julissa Bermudez

entrepreneur, host & content creator

Catherine McCord

founder, Weelicious

Lexi Underwood

actor, author & changemaker

Nina Senicar

actor

Dawn McCoy

TV host, founder of Loving Way Foundation & child abuse prevention advocate

Marla Sokoloff

actress, director & writer

Taye Hansberry

digital creator

Melanie Liburd

actor

Ashley Argota Torres

actor, musician & writer

Katie Grossbard

content creator, strategist & attorney

Kayla Compton

actor & producer

Ashley Blaine Featherson

actor, host & producer

Ashley Jones

Emmy-nominated actor, producer & director

Tai Beauchamp

founder of Morning Mindset with Tai, TV host, producer, wellness & lifestyle expert & entrepreneur

Brianne Tju

actor & filmmaker

Mirtha Michelle

poet & author

Marg Helgenberger

Emmy Award-winning actress; 2005 Inspiration Awards honoree

Shareefa J

curve model, presenter, entrepreneur & mentor

Shy Taylor

tv host & entertainment reporter

Meagan Holder

actor

Ixamar Palumbo

author of 'The Rich Hermana' & content creator

Lucy Barrett

actor

Ryann Cherry

digital creator, model & engineer

Kayla Austin

social entrepreneur & visual artist

Sarah Jane Morris

actress

Chris Johnson

actor & advocate

Inspiration Awards in the News

Modern Luxury Chicago Social

May 22, 2025

NBC Chicago Today

November 15, 2024

NBC 5 News at 4PM

November 14, 2024

Chicago Tribune

November 13, 2023

The Hollywood Reporter

November 13, 2024

WGN 9

November 1, 2024

Creators Faire

September 20, 2024

Zuma Press

September 20, 2024

Shutterstock

September 20, 2024

OK Magazine

September 20, 2024

Maximo TV

September 20, 2024

Getty Images

September 20, 2024

Celeb Mafia

September 20, 2024

Celebs First

September 20, 2024

BEImages

September 20, 2024

Creators Faire

November 17, 2023

Variety

October 18, 2023

The Hollywood Reporter

October 13, 2023

Associated Press

October 9, 2023

Footwear News

October 8, 2023

People Magazine

October 7, 2023

People Magazine

October 7, 2023

Us Weekly

June 6, 2019

The Hollywood Reporter

June 1, 2019

Billboard

May 31, 2019

Variety

June 1, 2018

KTLA 5 Morning News

May 29, 2018

Los Angeles Times

June 5, 2017

The Hollywood Reporter

June 2, 2017

Just Jared

May 21, 2016

Variety

May 21, 2016

Variety

June 8, 2015

Just Jared

May 30, 2014

Variety

May 29, 2014

The Hollywood Reporter

May 31, 2013