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.

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

Be an Inspiration Awards Sponsor

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.

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

Be an Inspiration Awards Sponsor

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?

Donate

honoring

  • Yvonne Orji

    Yvonne Orji

    comedian, actor, author + advocate

  • Isabela Merced

    Isabela Merced

    actor and singer

  • S. Epatha Merkerson

    S. Epatha Merkerson

    actor, NBC’S CHICAGO MED

  • Valeisha Butterfield

    Valeisha Butterfield

    award-winning culture shifter + founder, SEED
    executive honoree

  • Ashlee Margolis

    Ashlee Margolis

    founder, The A List
    executive honoree

  • Joy Lyu Monahan

    Joy Lyu Monahan

    diversity, equity, inclusion leader
    executive honoree

  • Paloma Molina-Olmedo

    Paloma Molina-Olmedo

    Step Up Class of 2025
    Alliance Bloomfield High School
    Los Angeles
    teen honoree

  • Uchechi Ike

    Uchechi Ike

    Step Up Class of 2025
    Ogden International High School
    Chicago
    teen honoree

featuring

  • MC Lyte

    MC Lyte

    music + entertainment legend

  • Katherine McNamara

    Katherine McNamara

    actress and singer

  • Jessy Schram

    Jessy Schram

    actor, NBC’S CHICAGO MED

  • Chandler Kinney

    Chandler Kinney

    actress + Dancing With the Stars contestant

  • Dawn McCoy

    Dawn McCoy

    TV host, actor, Loving Way founder & children’s advocate
    announcer

  • Annie Gonzalez

    Annie Gonzalez

    actor, singer + producer

  • Cree

    Cree

    actor

  • Delores Druilhet Morton

    Delores Druilhet Morton

    CEO, Step Up
    presenter

  • Kaye Popofsky Kramer

    Kaye Popofsky Kramer

    founder, Step Up
    presenter

  • Andrya Smith

    Andrya Smith

    partner, PwC
    presenter

  • Marcia Klenk Owens

    Marcia Klenk Owens

    partner, Honigman LLP
    presenter

  • Leila Shin

    Leila Shin

    principal, advisory, KPMG
    presenter

  • Tiffany Green

    Tiffany Green

    founder | CEO, Uprooted Academy

  • DJ Alli

    DJ Alli

    DJ

  • DJ Smiles Davis

    DJ Smiles Davis

    DJ, producer, composer

Host Committee

  • Danielle Panabaker

    Danielle Panabaker

    actress

  • Caylee Cowan

    Caylee Cowan

    actress

  • Richa Moorjani

    Richa Moorjani

    actor + activist

  • Logan Browning

    Logan Browning

    actress + director

  • Abigail Spencer

    Abigail Spencer

    actor, producer + writer

  • Alisha Wainwright

    Alisha Wainwright

    actor and podcast host

  • Lacey Chabert

    Lacey Chabert

    actor + advocate

  • Danielle Nicolet

    Danielle Nicolet

    actor, writer + advocate

  • Akira Akbar

    Akira Akbar

    actress

  • Hayley Law

    Hayley Law

    actor, writer, musician

  • Dawn McCoy

    Dawn McCoy

    TV host, actor, Loving Way founder & children’s advocate

  • Kayla Compton

    Kayla Compton

    actor, director + advocate

  • Enasha (Ena) Olivia Bondurant

    Enasha (Ena) Olivia Bondurant

    content creator

  • Georgie Flores

    Georgie Flores

    actor

  • Jessica Jordan Ping

    Jessica Jordan Ping

    content creator + disability advocate

  • Grasie Mercedes

    Grasie Mercedes

    actress, writer, + filmmaker

  • Demi B

    Demi B

    industrial engineer & creator

  • Chris Johnson

    Chris Johnson

    actor and advocate

  • Ashley Wolfe

    Ashley Wolfe

    enterprise sales, Affirm

  • Christy DeMott

    Christy DeMott

    associate general counsel

  • Beth Perry

    Beth Perry

    leadership coach & consultant, Perry Consulting

  • Ashley Jones

    Ashley Jones

    actor + director

  • Brittany Hveem

    Brittany Hveem

    head of business affairs, Hulu Originals

  • Carissa Smith

    Carissa Smith

    VP, government relations, FOX

  • Jeanne Elfant Festa

    Jeanne Elfant Festa

    co-president and partner, White Horse Pictures

  • Karin Gilford

    Karin Gilford

    SVP, digital media and Movies Anywhere, The Walt Disney Company

  • Kimberly Buffington Crockrell

    Kimberly Buffington Crockrell

    retired partner, Pilsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

  • Liz Dennery

    Liz Dennery

    founder + CEO, SheBrand
    past chair, Step Up Western Region Board

  • Malena Higuera

    Malena Higuera

    beauty executive + mentorship advocate

  • May Yeung

    May Yeung

    wellness/yoga instructor + jewelry designer
    past member, Step Up Western Region Board

  • Meagan Holder

    Meagan Holder

    actor + advocate

  • Molly Luetkemeyer

    Molly Luetkemeyer

    designer + advocate

  • Nesta Cooper

    Nesta Cooper

    actress

  • Sonia Menon

    Sonia Menon

    chief operating officer, Neal Gerber Eisenberg
    2023 Inspiration Awards honoree

  • Suzanne Lerner

    Suzanne Lerner

    co-founder + CEO, Michael Stars
    2023 Inspiration Awards honoree

  • Tara Crimin

    Tara Crimin

    regional client manager, entertainment/media industry

  • Tori Lazar

    Tori Lazar

    strategic storyteller, executive coach, and founder of How to Fck Up Well

  • Vernon François

    Vernon François

    celebrity hairstylist, global educator, and founder, Vernon François haircare

Sponsorship Opportunities

Serve as Presenting Sponsor

Serve as Presenting Sponsor

Host a Brand Lounge

Host a Brand Lounge

Secure Seats for Employees

Secure Seats for Employees

Buy Tickets

Los Angeles Tickets

Los Angeles Tickets

Tickets are not yet available for this event.

Interested in sponsoring Inspiration Awards this year? Learn more below!

Be an Inspiration Awards Sponsor

Chicago Tickets

Chicago Tickets

Tickets are not yet available for this event.

Interested in sponsoring Inspiration Awards this year? Learn more below!

Be an Inspiration Awards Sponsor

Step Up Orange Sponsors

Benefit Cosmetics

Benefit Cosmetics

View

Platinum Paths Sponsors

Illinois Cafe Services Company

Illinois Cafe Services Company

Kérastase

Kérastase

View

Guiding Gold Sponsors

First Citizens Bank

First Citizens Bank

View

Successful Silver Sponsors

Successful Silver Sponsors

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

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.

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

All-Time 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

All-Time Honorees

  • Yvonne Orji

    Yvonne Orji

    2024

  • Isabela Merced

    Isabela Merced

    2024

  • S. Epatha Merkerson

    S. Epatha Merkerson

    2024

  • Jodie Turner-Smith

    Jodie Turner-Smith

    2023

  • Suzanne Lerner

    Suzanne Lerner

    2023

  • Sonia Menon

    Sonia Menon

    2023

  • Michelle Klein

    Michelle Klein

    2021

  • Chrissy Metz

    Chrissy Metz

    2020

  • Debbie Allen

    Debbie Allen

    2020

  • Marissa Solis

    Marissa Solis

    2020

  • Annie Ford Danielson

    Annie Ford Danielson

    2019

  • Lauren Jauregui

    Lauren Jauregui

    2019

  • Regina Hall

    Regina Hall

    2018

  • Tracee Ellis Ross

    Tracee Ellis Ross

    2017

  • Yara Shahidi

    Yara Shahidi

    2017

  • Marsai Martin

    Marsai Martin

    2017

  • Gabrielle Union

    Gabrielle Union

    2016

  • Lea Michele

    Lea Michele

    2016

  • Elizabeth Banks

    Elizabeth Banks

    2015

  • Peter Kim

    Peter Kim

    2015

Past Presenters

  • MC Lyte

    MC Lyte

  • Katherine McNamara

    Katherine McNamara

  • Jessy Schram

    Jessy Schram

  • Chandler Kinney

    Chandler Kinney

  • Dawn McCoy

    Dawn McCoy

  • Cree

    Cree

  • Eva Longoria

    Eva Longoria

  • Mandy Moore

    Mandy Moore

  • Gabrielle Union

    Gabrielle Union

  • Essence Atkins

    Essence Atkins

  • Lauren Ash

    Lauren Ash

  • Skylar Astin

    Skylar Astin

  • Amanda Crew

    Amanda Crew

  • Jamie Lee Curtis

    Jamie Lee Curtis

  • Ester Dean

    Ester Dean

  • Channing Dungey

    Channing Dungey

  • Peter Facinelli

    Peter Facinelli

  • Carrie Fisher

    Carrie Fisher

  • James Gunn

    James Gunn

  • Regina Hall

    Regina Hall

  • January Jones

    January Jones

  • Kaye Popofsky Kramer

    Kaye Popofsky Kramer

  • Sanaa Lathan

    Sanaa Lathan

  • 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

  • Julie Bowen

    Julie Bowen

  • Garcelle Beauvais

    Garcelle Beauvais

  • Ana Calderon

    Ana Calderon

Inspiration Awards in the News

  • NBC Chicago Today

    NBC Chicago Today

    November 15, 2024

    Read More

  • NBC 5 News at 4PM

    NBC 5 News at 4PM

    November 14, 2024

    Read More

  • 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

  • Anne-Margaux Angelov

    Anne-Margaux Angelov

    Contact

  • Delores Morton

    Delores Morton

    CEO

  • Alissa Zito Cruz

    Alissa Zito Cruz

    Contact

Past Sponsors

  • Benefit Cosmetics

    Benefit Cosmetics

  • U.S. Bank

    U.S. Bank

  • American Airlines

    American Airlines

  • Illinois Café and Service Company

    Illinois Café and Service Company

  • Kérastase

    Kérastase

  • Michael Stars

    Michael Stars

  • Midwest SRO

    Midwest SRO

  • MJK Foundation

    MJK Foundation

  • Too Faced

    Too Faced

  • PwC

    PwC

  • First Citizens Bank

    First Citizens Bank

Step Up
AmeriCorps
Charity Navigator. Four star charity
Candid. Platinum Transparency 2024
Employer of National Service
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.

Step Up © 2025 All rights reserved.