Little Black Dress Initiative

The Junior League of Birmingham (JLB) is back with the Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI) in an effort to show that community impact is always in style. From March 10-14, League members will wear a black outfit daily and post on social media using the hashtag #AskMeWhyIWearBlack to increase its positive community influence and commitment to impactful change. JLB members will raise awareness and spark conversations about its community partners centered around Birmingham’s most critical issues. This year’s fundraiser will highlight the JLB’s work in Overcoming Poverty & Financial Instability here in Birmingham.

“As always, the Junior League of Birmingham stands together,” said LBDI Chair Kristy Stewart. “On March 10-14th the JLB will flood social media with the LBDI campaign and wear black in solidarity as we strive to overcome poverty and financial instability in Birmingham. Poverty is rising, and as trained, skilled volunteers we will stand together to fight this crisis and to assist our communities as we raise funds for a better Birmingham.”

During last year’s campaign, almost 2,000 JLB members participated, raising nearly $100,000 for the JLB’s community partners. These proceeds directly benefit the JLB’s 24 community projects which improve the lives of those in the Birmingham community. The JLB has four Impact Areas including Advancing Education & Culture, Improving Health & Well-Being, Mitigating Crisis & Promoting Safety, and Overcoming Poverty & Financial Instability.

This year’s LBDI focus surrounds the JLB’s Overcoming Poverty & Financial Instability Impact Area, and those projects include:

· Community Food Bank of Central Alabama: Mobile Food Pantry

· Grace Klein Community: Food Delivery and Assistance

· ¡HICA!: ESL Classes for Hispanic Applicants for Naturalization

· Vineyard Family Services: Backpack Buddies

· Junior League of Birmingham: Period Products

· Junior League of Birmingham: Essentials Pantry

Emily Herring, Mental Health Coordinator for Fairfield City Schools said, “I want to give an immense thank you to each of you for the work that you do providing items for the Essentials Pantries in Fairfield. This season we have had several house fires where our students and their families lost everything, and the fact that we don’t have to wonder if we are going to be able to find clothing is amazing. This morning, one of our families had a total loss, and 10+ kids lived in the house. They only made it out with the clothes they were sleeping in, and no one even had shoes. We were able to immediately go to each pantry and get clothes, coats, and shoes for each child, along with hygiene items. We do NOT take this for granted! All day I kept thinking about how much of a gift it is that we can immediately help families in crisis because of the work of the Junior League! I am blown away and will never stop being grateful for what you do!”

“The Junior League of Birmingham’s Little Black Dress Initiative uses a powerful social media campaign to expose the realities of poverty in our community, and the funds raised will support the JLB’s poverty-focused work,” JLB President Jessica Hopper said. “Please join us in amplifying our life-changing impact in the Magic City. Your contributions will enable us to fulfill our mission of building a better Birmingham.”

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Monday, March 10: Cahaba Brewing Company will donate 10% of beer sales from 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 11: Slice in Crestline will donate 10% of lunch and dinner sales from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

To stay up to date with the Little Black Dress Initiative, follow the hashtag #AskMeWhyIWearBlack on Instagram and Facebook. To donate or to learn more, visit https://jlb.littleblackdress.gives/.

ABOUT JUNIOR LEAGUE OF BIRMINGHAM

The Junior League of Birmingham is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. As one of the largest volunteer service organizations in Alabama, the nearly 2,000 members boast more than 40,000 volunteer hours annually across 24 community projects and also provide $1M in direct funding to the greater Birmingham community. The JLB celebrated its centennial in 2022, commemorating 100 years of service, leadership, partnerships and impact.

For more information, please visit jlbonline.com.