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

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.

Chicago

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.

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?

SEE SPONSOR INFO

SUBMIT SPONSOR FORM

featuring

Andrya Smith

Andrya Smith

partner, PwC
presenter

Baaba Holland

Baaba Holland

founder and CEO, Baaba Holland Agency
presenter

Suzanne Lerner

Suzanne Lerner

co-founder and CEO, Michael Stars
presenter

Hollis Heath

Hollis Heath

artist, speaker & cultural curator
presenter

Delores Druilhet Morton

Delores Druilhet Morton

CEO, Step Up

DJ Adrienne Marie

DJ Adrienne Marie

DJ

Robyn Simpson

Robyn Simpson

CEO, A Seed & Wings Productions
presenter

Vanessa Lachey

Vanessa Lachey

actor & host
presenter

Chris Sullivan

Chris Sullivan

Emmy-nominated actor, musician & podcast host
presenter

Ramona Young

Ramona Young

actor, The Paper
presenter

Elodie Yung

Elodie Yung

actress, producer & director
presenter

Kaye Popofsky Kramer

Kaye Popofsky Kramer

founder, Step Up

Ashlee Margolis

Ashlee Margolis

founder, The A List
host committee chair

Dina Rae

Dina Rae

DJ & singer, Sounds by Dina Rae

Honorary Host Committee

Dawn McCoy

Dawn McCoy

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

Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson

actor & advocate

Nia Sioux

Nia Sioux

actress, author & dancer

Camilla Luddington

Camilla Luddington

actor

Kate Walsh

Kate Walsh

actress, producer & advocate

JaNa Craig

JaNa Craig

television personality & content creator

Julie Bowen

Julie Bowen

actress, entrepreneur & advocate; 2013 Inspiration Awards honoree

Heather Dubrow

Heather Dubrow

TV personality & host

Alisha Wainright

Alisha Wainright

actress & podcast host

Raegan Revord

Raegan Revord

actor & author

Lacey Chabert

Lacey Chabert

actor, producer, host & entrepreneur

Ayesha Perry-Iqbal

Ayesha Perry-Iqbal

speaker & women’s rights advocate

Anna Faris

Anna Faris

actor

Anna Todd

Anna Todd

author

Vita Kari

Vita Kari

HOH visual & performance artist

Akira Akbar

Akira Akbar

actor

Dani Nicolet

Dani Nicolet

actor, writer & director

Kimberly J. Brown

Kimberly J. Brown

actor

Angie Harmon

Angie Harmon

actor, director, producer & advocate

Hayley Law

Hayley Law

actor & musician

Julissa Bermudez

Julissa Bermudez

entrepreneur, host & content creator

Catherine McCord

Catherine McCord

founder, Weelicious

Lexi Underwood

Lexi Underwood

actor, author & changemaker

Nina Senicar

Nina Senicar

actor

Marla Sokoloff

Marla Sokoloff

actress, director & writer

Taye Hansberry

Taye Hansberry

digital creator

Melanie Liburd

Melanie Liburd

actor

Ashley Argota Torres

Ashley Argota Torres

actor, musician & writer

Katie Grossbard

Katie Grossbard

content creator, strategist & attorney

Kayla Compton

Kayla Compton

actor & producer

Ashley Blaine Featherson

Ashley Blaine Featherson

actor, host & producer

Ashley Jones

Ashley Jones

Emmy-nominated actor, producer & director

Tai Beauchamp

Tai Beauchamp

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

Brianne Tju

Brianne Tju

actor & filmmaker

Mirtha Michelle

Mirtha Michelle

poet & author

Marg Helgenberger

Marg Helgenberger

Emmy Award-winning actress; 2005 Inspiration Awards honoree

Shareefa J

Shareefa J

curve model, presenter, entrepreneur & mentor

Shy Taylor

Shy Taylor

tv host & entertainment reporter

Meagan Holder

Meagan Holder

actor

Ixamar Palumbo

Ixamar Palumbo

author of 'The Rich Hermana' & content creator

Lucy Barrett

Lucy Barrett

actor

Ryann Cherry

Ryann Cherry

digital creator, model & engineer

Kayla Austin

Kayla Austin

social entrepreneur & visual artist

Sarah Jane Morris

Sarah Jane Morris

actress

Host Committee

Beth Perry

Beth Perry

leadership coach & consultant, Perry Consulting

Suzanne Lerner

Suzanne Lerner

CEO & co-founder

Sonia Menon

Sonia Menon

chief operating officer, Neal Gerber Eisenberg

Alexa Brandt

Alexa Brandt

director, Small Business Saturday & Shop Small

Mariah Brandt

Mariah Brandt

partner, Pilsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Desiree Buchanan

Desiree Buchanan

founder, Poplinen

Valeisha Butterfield

Valeisha Butterfield

founder, SEED; 2024 Inspiration Awards honoree

Shannon Carter-Gascon

Shannon Carter-Gascon

founder, SEVEN:THIRTY

Tara Crimin

Tara Crimin

associate director, global media, tech & legal, IP House

Victoria Daniel

Victoria Daniel

manager, Prelude Management

Liz Dennery

Liz Dennery

founder & CEO, SheBrand Inc

Alison Deyette

Alison Deyette

style expert & media trainer

Jeanne Elfant Festa

Jeanne Elfant Festa

co-president, White Horse Pictures

Marta Ferro

Marta Ferro

founder & president, Starfish Impact

Brittany Hveem

Brittany Hveem

SVP, head of business affairs scripted content, ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals

Ashley Josephson

Ashley Josephson

manager, Untitled Entertainment

Molly Luetkemeyer

Molly Luetkemeyer

principal, M. Design Interiors

Leila Milano

Leila Milano

SVP, global digital distribution and product counsel, TelevisaUnivision

Camille Rustia

Camille Rustia

business affairs, Apple TV+

Buy Tickets

Chicago Tickets

Join us at Inspiration Awards in Chicago!

Board members, contact jamie@suwn.org to get your table package.

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.

See Sponsor Info Submit Sponsor Form

Step Up Orange Sponsors

Benefit Cosmetics

Benefit Cosmetics

U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank

Platinum Paths Sponsors

American Airlines

American Airlines

Illinois Cafe Services Company

Illinois Cafe Services Company

Kérastase

Kérastase

Midwest SRO

Midwest SRO

Warner Bros. Television

Warner Bros. Television

Guiding Gold Sponsors

First Citizens Bank

First Citizens Bank

PwC

PwC

Successful Silver Sponsors

Successful Silver Sponsors

Bloomberg Philanthropies

Neal Gerber Eisenberg

The Berry Gordy Foundation for Truth and Justice

Wasserman Foundation

Inspiration Awards Supporter

Inspiration Awards Supporter

City National Bank

Granderson Des Rochers, LLP

Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole LLP

Untitled Entertainment

Event Partners

Event Partners

Beth Helmstetter Events

Heather Gray Graphic Design

Le Mini Macaron

Pauline Shaby

Sounds by Dina Rae

Sprinkles Cupcakes

Sweetzer Popcorn

The Law Office of Symone Shinton, PLLC

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

Vanessa Galeno-Herrera

Vanessa Galeno-Herrera

Step Up Class of 2026

Cree Hampton

Cree Hampton

Step Up Class of 2026

Paloma Molina-Olmedo

Paloma Molina-Olmedo

Step Up Class of 2025

Uchechi Ike

Uchechi Ike

Step Up Class of 2025

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

NBC 5 News at 4PM

NBC 5 News at 4PM

November 14, 2024

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune

November 13, 2023

The Hollywood Reporter

The Hollywood Reporter

November 13, 2024

WGN 9

WGN 9

November 1, 2024

Creators Faire

Creators Faire

September 20, 2024

Zuma Press

Zuma Press

September 20, 2024

Shutterstock

Shutterstock

September 20, 2024

OK Magazine

OK Magazine

September 20, 2024

Maximo TV

Maximo TV

September 20, 2024

Getty Images

Getty Images

September 20, 2024

Celeb Mafia

Celeb Mafia

September 20, 2024

Celebs First

Celebs First

September 20, 2024

BEImages

BEImages

September 20, 2024

Creators Faire

Creators Faire

November 17, 2023

Variety

Variety

October 18, 2023

The Hollywood Reporter

The Hollywood Reporter

October 13, 2023

Associated Press

Associated Press

October 9, 2023

Footwear News

Footwear News

October 8, 2023

People Magazine

People Magazine

October 7, 2023

People Magazine

People Magazine

October 7, 2023

Us Weekly

Us Weekly

June 6, 2019

The Hollywood Reporter

The Hollywood Reporter

June 1, 2019

Billboard

Billboard

May 31, 2019

Variety

Variety

June 1, 2018

KTLA 5 Morning News

KTLA 5 Morning News

May 29, 2018

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

June 5, 2017

The Hollywood Reporter

The Hollywood Reporter

June 2, 2017

Just Jared

Just Jared

May 21, 2016

Variety

Variety

May 21, 2016

Variety

Variety

June 8, 2015

Just Jared

Just Jared

May 30, 2014

Variety

Variety

May 29, 2014

The Hollywood Reporter

The Hollywood Reporter

May 31, 2013