Inspiration Awards

Inspiration Awards. One event. Two cities.

Chicago

Wednesday, 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.

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Los Angeles

Friday, September 20 | 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.

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Why Support Mentorship?

Offering support and mentorship for girls has never been more urgent. In early 2023, the CDC reported that today’s teen girls are experiencing sadness, violence and trauma at record levels-and at double the rate of boys. The report also underscored the important role mentors can play in offering support. When you purchase a ticket or commit to sponsor Inspiration Awards, you are directly supporting mentorship for Step Up girls and young women.

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honoring

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

featuring

Delores Druilhet Morton
CEO, Step Up
presenter
Andrya Smith
partner, PwC
presenter
Dawn McCoy
TV host, actor, Loving Way founder & children’s advocate
announcer
Annie Gonzalez
actor, singer + producer
Chandler Kinney
actress + Dancing With the Stars contestant
MC Lyte
music + entertainment legend
Cree
actor
Kaye Popofsky Kramer
founder, Step Up
presenter
DJ Smiles Davis
DJ, producer, composer
Tiffany Green
founder | CEO, Uprooted Academy
Katherine McNamara
actress and singer

Host Committee

Chris Johnson
actor and advocate
Ashley Wolfe
enterprise sales, Affirm
Dawn McCoy
TV host, actor, Loving Way founder & children’s advocate
Christy DeMott
associate general counsel
Beth Perry
leadership coach & consultant, Perry Consulting
Abigail Spencer
actor, producer + writer
Akira Akbar
actress
Alisha Wainwright
actor and podcast host
Ashley Jones
actor + director
Brittany Hveem
head of business affairs, Hulu Originals
Carissa Smith
VP, government relations, FOX
Caylee Cowan
actress
Danielle Nicolet
actor, writer + advocate
Danielle Panabaker
actress
Georgie Flores
actor
Grasie Mercedes
actress, writer, + filmmaker
Hayley Law
actor, writer, musician
Jeanne Elfant Festa
co-president and partner, White Horse Pictures
Karin Gilford
SVP, digital media and Movies Anywhere, The Walt Disney Company
Kayla Compton
actor, director + advocate
Kimberly Buffington Crockrell
retired partner, Pilsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Lacey Chabert
actor + advocate
Liz Dennery
founder + CEO, SheBrand
past chair, Step Up Western Region Board
Logan Browning
actress + director
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
Richa Moorjani
actor + activist
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

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SUBMIT SPONSOR FORM

Buy Tickets

Chicago Tickets

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Donate a Ticket

Donate a ticket for a Step Up teen or community leader to attend Inspiration Awards!

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Los Angeles Tickets

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

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Step Up Orange Sponsors

Benefit Cosmetics

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U.S. Bank

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Platinum Paths Sponsors

American Airlines

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Illinois Café & Service Company

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Kérastase

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Michael Stars

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Midwest SRO

MJK Foundation

Too Faced

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Guiding Gold Sponsors

PwC

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First Citizens Bank

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Successful Silver Sponsors

Baker Tilly

CNA Insurance

Cozen O'Connor

Gallo - Women of Wine and Spirits

OluKai

Ulta Beauty

Neal Gerber Eisenberg

Sony Pictures Television

Wasserman

Inspiration Awards Supporter

ANN TAYLOR | LOFT

BMO

CAA

City National Bank

Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres

DLA Piper LLP

The Berry Gordy Foundation for Truth and Justice

Movado

NBCUniversal

The A List

Untitled Entertainment

Event Partners

Beth Helmstetter Events

Heather Gray Graphic Design

PepsiCo

The Hidden Sea

ONEHOPE Wine

Spread the Word About Inspiration Awards!

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Inspiration Awards Social Media Toolkit