This November 9-13, a group of Junior League of Greenville (JLG) Members will wear the same little black dress for five days to raise awareness about the Mission of the JLG and those whom their initiatives serve in the Greenville Community. Think: Outfit repeating for a cause. 👗

This week-long fundraiser is called the Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI), and here are 5 things to know about it:

It benefits the Junior League of Greenville’s Mission.

The JLG is dedicated to improving the community, promoting voluntarism and developing the potential of women through the effective action of trained volunteers. The funds raised through this the LBDI campaign will help them engage in initiatives that help women in our community overcome barriers, focusing on Human Trafficking and Economic Mobility.

This is the JLG’s 4th year hosting the LBDI.

LBDI has become one of the JLG’s signature fundraisers. Through this week-long social media-driven campaign, participants have the opportunity to raise funds and awareness about the restrictions that poverty places on choices, opportunities and access to resources in the Greenville community.

It is about more than just wearing a black dress.

Wearing a single black dress for five straight days symbolizes the discomfort that comes with a lack of access to resources due to poverty. LBDI is not just about a week wearing a black dress. It is about harnessing the power of our community to make a difference.

LBDI started in London.

In February 2014, the Junior League of London pioneered LBDI with the goal to “make poverty unfashionable.” While their fellow Londoners were attending London Fashion Week that month, local Junior Leaguers were wearing the same black dress every day to work, parties, dinners and events to raise funds and increase awareness of poverty in the city. The first campaign was so successful that they decided to take the initiative worldwide.

You can make a difference in Greenville by donating.

In 2019, more than $26,000 was raised over the course of the LBDI week, and JLG would love to top that this year. Click here to learn more about LBDI and support the JLG.

Here are a few different reasons why Junior League of Greenville members participate in LBDI:

Amy S.: To set an example for young women in our community.

Kim N.: To help women in our community overcome economic barriers

Pollyanna C.: Because empowered women empower women.

Kami A.: To educate the community.

Lesa K.: To help combat human trafficking in the Upstate.

Jessica S.: To improve the lives of others living in our community.

Kathryn F.: To develop the potential of women.

To learn more about LBDI and to support or join JLG, visit their website. Ⓟ