Inspiration Awards

Inspiration Awards. One event. Two cities.

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.

Tickets are not yet available for this event. Interested in sponsoring Inspiration Awards? Learn more below!

Be an Inspiration Awards Sponsor

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.

Tickets are not yet available for this event. Interested in sponsoring Inspiration Awards? Learn more below!

Be an Inspiration Awards Sponsor

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?

Donate

honoring

Yvonne Orji
comedian, actor, author + advocate
Isabela Merced
actor and singer
S. Epatha Merkerson
actor, NBC’S CHICAGO MED
Valeisha Butterfield
award-winning culture shifter + founder, SEED
executive honoree
Ashlee Margolis
founder, The A List
executive honoree
Joy Lyu Monahan
diversity, equity, inclusion leader
executive honoree
Paloma Molina-Olmedo
Step Up Class of 2025
Alliance Bloomfield High School
Los Angeles
teen honoree
Uchechi Ike
Step Up Class of 2025
Ogden International High School
Chicago
teen honoree

featuring

MC Lyte
music + entertainment legend
Katherine McNamara
actress and singer
Jessy Schram
actor, NBC’S CHICAGO MED
Chandler Kinney
actress + Dancing With the Stars contestant
Dawn McCoy
TV host, actor, Loving Way founder & children’s advocate
announcer
Annie Gonzalez
actor, singer + producer
Cree
actor
Delores Druilhet Morton
CEO, Step Up
presenter
Kaye Popofsky Kramer
founder, Step Up
presenter
Andrya Smith
partner, PwC
presenter
Marcia Klenk Owens
partner, Honigman LLP
presenter
Leila Shin
principal, advisory, KPMG
presenter
Tiffany Green
founder | CEO, Uprooted Academy
DJ Alli
DJ
DJ Smiles Davis
DJ, producer, composer

Host Committee

Danielle Panabaker
actress
Caylee Cowan
actress
Richa Moorjani
actor + activist
Logan Browning
actress + director
Abigail Spencer
actor, producer + writer
Alisha Wainwright
actor and podcast host
Lacey Chabert
actor + advocate
Danielle Nicolet
actor, writer + advocate
Akira Akbar
actress
Hayley Law
actor, writer, musician
Dawn McCoy
TV host, actor, Loving Way founder & children’s advocate
Kayla Compton
actor, director + advocate
Enasha (Ena) Olivia Bondurant
content creator
Georgie Flores
actor
Jessica Jordan Ping
content creator + disability advocate
Grasie Mercedes
actress, writer, + filmmaker
Demi B
industrial engineer & creator
Chris Johnson
actor and advocate
Ashley Wolfe
enterprise sales, Affirm
Christy DeMott
associate general counsel
Beth Perry
leadership coach & consultant, Perry Consulting
Ashley Jones
actor + director
Brittany Hveem
head of business affairs, Hulu Originals
Carissa Smith
VP, government relations, FOX
Jeanne Elfant Festa
co-president and partner, White Horse Pictures
Karin Gilford
SVP, digital media and Movies Anywhere, The Walt Disney Company
Kimberly Buffington Crockrell
retired partner, Pilsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Liz Dennery
founder + CEO, SheBrand
past chair, Step Up Western Region Board
Malena Higuera
beauty executive + mentorship advocate
May Yeung
wellness/yoga instructor + jewelry designer
past member, Step Up Western Region Board
Meagan Holder
actor + advocate
Molly Luetkemeyer
designer + advocate
Nesta Cooper
actress
Sonia Menon
chief operating officer, Neal Gerber Eisenberg
2023 Inspiration Awards honoree
Suzanne Lerner
co-founder + CEO, Michael Stars
2023 Inspiration Awards honoree
Tara Crimin
regional client manager, entertainment/media industry
Tori Lazar
strategic storyteller, executive coach, and founder of How to Fck Up Well
Vernon François
celebrity hairstylist, global educator, and founder, Vernon François haircare

Sponsorship Opportunities

Serve as Presenting Sponsor

Host a Brand Lounge

Secure Seats for Employees

SEE SPONSOR INFO

SUBMIT SPONSOR FORM

Buy Tickets

Los Angeles Tickets

This event has passed. Donate below to continue the impact!

Donate

Chicago Tickets

This event has passed. Donate below to continue the impact!

Donate

Step Up Orange Sponsors

Benefit Cosmetics

View

Platinum Paths Sponsors

Kérastase

View

Guiding Gold Sponsors

First Citizens Bank

View

Successful Silver Sponsors

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

Inspiration Awards Supporter

City National Bank

Event Sponsors

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

Spread the Word About Inspiration Awards!

Want to support Step Up's mission and help us expand our reach? Spread the word about Inspiration Awards with your social media network using sample captions and graphics from Step Up's Inspiration Awards Social Media Toolkit!

Inspiration Awards Social Media Toolkit