DALLAS (September 17, 2018) – Mentorship nonprofit Step Up will host its inaugural gala in Dallas on Thursday, September 20, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. at the City View rooftop at the Renaissance Dallas. The cocktail reception will fête Janiece Evans-Page, Fossil's vice president of global philanthropy and sustainability and head of the Fossil Foundation, and Step Up teen Jennifer as this year's Mentorship Champions.
Over 200 guests are expected to attend in support of Step Up's after-school and weekend mentorship programs that work with teen girls on becoming confident, college-bound, career-focused and ready to join the next generation of professional women. Notables include emcee Alanna Sarabia of Good Morning Texas, anchor Jenny Anchondo, Oympic gold medalist Michelle Carter, actress Sarah Jane Morris, television personality Melissa Rycroft Strickland, and recording artist and Dallas native Jenna Paulette, who will perform.
"We look forward to launching Stepping Up in the City as a way to unite the community for a celebration of mentorship, while raising vital funds that enable our programs to reach Dallas's teen girls," Step Up CEO Jenni Luke said. "We're excited to highlight all Janiece and Jennifer do to inspire women and girls, as Step Up marks 20 years of service and impact nationally."
The event is receiving support from platinum sponsor Frito Lay; gold sponsors The Container Store and Trina Turk; and silver sponsors EY, Fossil and Lockton.
Kelley Schadt of The Container Store chairs the Step Up Dallas chapter board of directors and sits on Step Up's national board of directors with Fort Worth resident Maria Walker of KPMG.
Jennifer, a member of Step Up's Class of 2019, will share her Step Up story during the event's brief program. She attends Thomas Jefferson High School, a Step Up partner school.
This year marks the 20th year of service for Step Up nationally, founded in 1998 by Kaye Popofsky Kramer. Step Up now offers after-school and weekend mentorship programs for high school girls living or going to school in under-resourced communities in Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. Dallas became the organization's first new market in 10 years when it began to offer programs during the 2016-17 school year. The Dallas chapter increased its reach this past school year by enrolling nearly 250 girls from four high school partners across the city.
Stepping Up in the City tickets begin at $150 and can be purchased at www.suwn.org/dallas.
ABOUT STEP UP
Step Up believes all girls should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Through after-school and weekend mentorship programs, the nonprofit works with girls from under-resourced communities on becoming confident, college-bound, career-focused, and ready to join the next generation of professional women. Connect at suwn.org.
