People are sometimes surprised when they hear we throw a party.

Nonprofits are usually known for formal galas. And truly, there is nothing wrong with that. Shout out to our nonprofit besties. We love you. We are still coming to your galas. I will just be the one in fancy sneakers. Sorry, not sorry.

For a long time, I believed that if the work really mattered, it had to look heavy all the time. Serious. Focused. A little tired.  

I used to believe that and I still sometimes fall into that trap.

But after leading Girls on the Run Piedmont for more than a decade, after watching hundreds of girls cross finish lines, and after more than a few late nights wondering how we’d pull the next season together, I’ve been learning something different. At this point, pivot might as well be my middle name.

Joy isn’t extra.
Joy is part of the work.

Sneaker Soiree exists because of what we ask girls to do every season, and because I’m asking it of myself too.

Girls don’t show up to our program empty-handed. They bring worries they don’t quite have words for yet. Pressure to be perfect. Fear of not fitting in. A quiet belief that they have to earn their place. I’ve watched girls arrive guarded and unsure, and slowly begin to soften. Through movement, connection, and encouragement, something shifts. They begin to see that confidence and joy can live in the same space. That being strong doesn’t mean being hard. That celebration is allowed.

If we want girls to believe that, they need to see it modeled by the adults around them.

Sneaker Soiree isn’t a fancy gala pretending to be something it’s not. It’s a room full of people who believe girls matter, choosing to gather in a way that actually reflects the mission.

We still dress up. We still show up fancy. Just with sneakers on. Partly because comfort isn’t weakness, and partly because, thanks to some very real foot issues, heels just aren’t an option for me anymore. And honestly, some people really show up with the glitter. I’ll probably be on the hunt for a new pair this year. My favorite pink glitter sneakers have seen better days.

There’s less time listening to speeches and more time connecting. Music. Movement. Laughter. The kind of night that reminds you why you said yes to this work in the first place.

And yes, we play a little.

Just like the girls do.

Throughout the evening, you’ll see moments that mirror what happens on our teams. Friendship bracelets that remind us connection is something we build, not wait for. A Heart Bottle and a chance to learn more about its purpose in helping carry the emotional load. Simple things with real meaning. Our feelings matter. They rise and fall. We can notice them, name them, and take care of ourselves and each other along the way.

These aren’t gimmicks. They’re grown-up versions of the same tools girls use every season. The same tools I’ve watched girls carry with them long after practice ends.

This fall, we’ll be launching our new curriculum, Hello, Bold Heart, which continues this work by helping girls recognize their inner strength, navigate big emotions, and lead with courage and compassion. You’ll be hearing more about it soon, because it reflects not just where our curriculum is going, but where girls are asking us to lead next.

With all the work, and the sometimes heavy emotions that come with it, I’ve realized I need reminders to choose joy again and again.

I’ll be honest. Every year, as this event gets closer, there’s a familiar voice that shows up. The one that worries no one will come. It’s an old fear. The kind that pulls me right back to being ten years old, quietly hoping people will show up because they want to, not because they feel obligated.

And every year, I show up anyway.

Because this work has taught me something important. Courage doesn’t mean the fear goes away. It means I don’t let it decide what I do next.

Sneaker Soiree is one of the ways we refill what we pour out. It helps fund the shoes that fit, the programs that welcome every girl, and the finish lines that say you belong here. It also reminds us that this work should be life-giving for the adults too.

Girls are always watching. They learn not just from what we teach, but from how we take care of ourselves and each other along the way. And if I’m being honest, am I the only one who needs the reminder that taking care of myself is good for me, and good for the girls who are watching?

There’s more to why this work matters so deeply to me, and I’ll be sharing more of that story soon.

Sometimes that looks like serious conversations and steady commitment.
And sometimes, it looks like showing up dressed to the nines… in pink glittery sneakers.