Step Up to Honor Elizabeth Banks at 2015 Inspiration Awards

National mentorship nonprofit Step Up will honor actress, director and producer Elizabeth Banks, Hudson Jeans Founder and CEO Peter Kim, and graduating Step Up senior Maria at its 12th annual Inspiration Awards on June 5, at the Beverly Hilton. The star-studded red carpet charity luncheon celebrates professional and philanthropic accomplishment, honoring influencers, executives, corporate partners and Step Up teens alike.

"The Inspiration Awards shows us the power and impact of mentorship," Step Up CEO Jenni Luke said. "We're excited to recognize Elizabeth, Peter, and Maria as they inspire us all to continue to work to inspire girls, who are our next generation of professional women."

The program will include appearances by luminaries including emcee Cristela Alonzo and presenters Lea Michele (Scream Queens), Ester Dean (Pitch Perfect 2), Amanda Crew (Silicon Valley), Jane Wurwand (Dermalogica), and Emmy Award winner Julie Bowen (Modern Family). Luke and Step Up Founder Kaye Popofsky Kramer will also speak.

Erin M. Collins and Vanessa Rodriguez Spencer serve as co-chairs of Step Up's Los Angeles Chapter Board of Directors, while Willow Bay is the program's honorary producer.

In addition to the awards ceremony, the pre- and post-event reception will feature style lounges by sponsors including Hudson Jeans, The Container Store, Dermalogica, LUNA Bar, WineSimple and Angeleno magazine. The Hudson Jeans onsite boutique will allow guests to shop with 30% of proceeds benefiting Step Up. Other sponsors include Universal Pictures and Gold Circle Films, and media partners are InStyle, Angeleno and Variety.

ABOUT STEP UP
Step Up propels girls from under-resourced communities to fulfill their potential by empowering them to become confident, college-bound, career-focused and ready to join the next generation of professional women. Connect at suwn.org.

Photo: Facebook

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!