4th Annual Little Black Dress Initiative

The Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI) is an advocacy campaign that seeks to raise community awareness on the issue of generational poverty and community instability in Topeka.

The Junior League of Topeka LBDI is October 17-21st, 2022. This week, JLT members and community partners will wear the same little black dress or outfit for five consecutive days to illustrate poverty's effects on a person's access to resources, confidence, and professional opportunities. By wearing a button that reads “Ask me about my Dress,” members will invite and welcome dialogue among colleagues, friends, and strangers to raise awareness about generational poverty.

WHAT WILL THE FUNDS RAISED GO TO SUPPORT?

Funds raised by LBDI will go to support the Junior League of Topeka to help advocate for poverty awareness & community instability. LBDI funds will continue to support our mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. In addition, JLT has collaborated with many organizations and projects that help support those affected by generational poverty, including:

• YWCA-Center for Empowerment

• CASA

• Colgate Dental Van

• Habitat for Humanity: Women Build

• Kansas Action for Children

• Project Topeka

• Ronald McDonald House

• The Diaper Depot

• Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library

Our goal for our 2022 year is to raise $10,000 that will be reinvested into the community to fight generational poverty directly. Please help us reach our goal!