We Believe in the Magic of Mentoring

The Sophia Project is proud to present our 2nd Annual Little Black Dress Bruncheon on March 28th, 2025. This special event celebrates the remarkable women in the St. Louis Region who are dedicated to shaping the next generation of leaders. We are honored to recognize these women for their outstanding commitment to fostering a culture of strong leadership.

At The Sophia Project, we believe that the transformative magic of mentorship at every age and stage is unwavering. The Little Black Dress Bruncheon stems from our Annual Pearling Ceremony, an event that honors the young women who have completed our K.I.S.S- Keep is Safe and Sacred program. Our experiences affirm that life's journey is enriched through the support and wisdom of mentors. The Little Black Dress Bruncheon is a celebration of this spirit within the St. Louis business community, honoring women who exemplify our values of,

  • Leadership

  • Commitment to Growth 

  • Passion for Mentorship

  • Champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  • Community Engagement

  • Commitment to Excellence

Join us in celebrating the power and impact of mentorship for girls and women at our annual Little Black Dress Bruncheon.

Sponsors

Crowned and Confident

Host Precious Barry is speaking with some of our 2025 Little Black Dress Honorees

Hall of Fame Honoree Leslie Gill, a dedicated servant leader for over twenty-five years, has been instrumental in creating impact and effecting positive change through her work in non-profit and community-building organizations. As the Chief Executive Officer and President of Rung for Women for the past six years, Leslie’s leadership drives Rung’s mission to inspire all women to climb the economic opportunity ladder of success. This mission is fulfilled with each cohort of women who complete its program.

Honoree Crystal Hardiman as a Director leads a team of analysts and leaders; and manages the Recruitment function, successfully hiring over 50 candidates in the past two years. She is actively involved in several organizational initiatives, including the Women Leadership Network and Purina’s Corporate Mentoring Program.With the support of her peers and the department head, she took the initiative to co-create a professional development program known as,  Aiming to Achieve Success (A2A). The program quickly demonstrated its effectiveness, leading to immediate success within her department.

Thank you to all those who came out to support our first Little Black Dress Bruncheon last year.