A Morning of Elegance & Empowerment: The 2nd Annual Little Black Dress Bruncheon
The Sophia Project’s 2nd Annual Little Black Dress Bruncheon on March 28th, 2025, was nothing short of spectacular! With 267 guests in attendance, we gathered to celebrate the power of mentorship, leadership, and community—and we did it in style!
From the moment guests arrived, the energy was electric. The room was filled with bold, brilliant women who are shaping the next generation of leaders in St. Louis. Dressed in their finest little black dresses, attendees connected over a delicious brunch, shared stories and honored 25 outstanding women for their commitment to growth, mentorship, and community impact.
Honoring Excellence in Leadership
These extraordinary honorees embody the core values of The Sophia Project:
✨ Leadership – Guiding with vision and integrity
✨ Commitment to Growth – Always learning, always evolving
✨ Passion for Mentorship – Paying it forward to empower others
✨ Champion of DEI – Creating spaces where everyone belongs
✨ Community Engagement – Uplifting and inspiring change
✨ Commitment to Excellence – Striving for greatness in all they do
More Than Just a Brunch
The Little Black Dress Bruncheon isn’t just an event—it’s a movement. Born from our Annual
PearlingCeremony, where we honor young women completing our K.I.S.S. (Keep It Safe & Sacred) program, this gathering reinforces the idea that mentorship is a lifelong journey. The women we recognized this year are not just leaders; they are change-makers, role models, and beacons of hope for the next generation.
A Lasting Impact
Beyond the glamour and celebration, the heart of this event is our mission: Engage, Educate, and Empower. Thanks to the generosity of our attendees, all proceeds from the brunch will directly support our programs that equip young women with the tools to build strong, successful futures.
As we reflect on this inspiring day, we are reminded that one woman’s success is every woman’s success. Thank you to everyone who made this event unforgettable! We can’t wait to see you next year for an even bigger and bolder celebration!
📸 Check out event highlights and relive the magic on our social media!
#LittleBlackDressBruncheon #WomenWhoLead #MentorshipMatters #TheSophiaProject
Heartfelt Thank You to Our Sponsors
This event would not have been possible without the generosity and support of our incredible sponsors:
U.S. Bank – Investing in brighter futures
Ameren Missouri – Powering change in our communities
Rung for Women – Elevating and empowering women to thrive
Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis – Advocating for equity and opportunity
Living with Purpose – Supporting adults with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses
Your commitment to our mission ensures that young women across St. Louis have access to the mentorship, education, and resources they need to succeed.
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.
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).
Thank you to all those who came out to support our first Little Black Dress Bruncheon last year.
