Kelsey Smith's 2022 LBDI Campaign

Did you know 1 in 6 Topeka residents live at or below the national poverty level? This week, I'm taking part in the Junior League of Topeka's Little Black Dress Initiative, an advocacy campaign that seeks to raise community awareness about generational poverty and community instability in Topeka.

The iconic Little Black Dress (LBD) is usually thought of as just a fashionable wardrobe staple. So why is the LBD at the center of an awareness campaign about poverty? By wearing the same black dress or outfit for five days in a row, my fellow advocates and I hope to illustrate the restrictions poverty places on choices, opportunities and access to resources.

Throughout the week, I will join many other LBDI advocates across the community to:

1. Raise awareness of community instability

2. Illustrate how limited resources affect daily life; and

3. Raise funds that will be utilized by the Junior League of Topeka to support change in our community to help combat community instability

The Junior League of Topeka (JLT) works on projects and with community partners to support child welfare as impacted by community instability and violence. Our collective goal is to raise $10,000. Please support the JLT as we tackle this important issue.