If you’ve never heard of Step Up’s unique vision, or the remarkable work they do – this article is worth the read. Step Up, based in Los Angeles C.A., is an international nonprofit organization tirelessly working to propel young girls (urban high school girls ages 13-18) from under-resourced communities to fulfill their potential by empowering them to become confident, college-bound, career-focused, and ready to join the next generation of professional women.
Today Silverlakeblog caught up with Jamie Kogan, managing director of Step Up the women’s network based in The Arts District in DTLA. Here’s what she had to say.
How long have you lived in Los Angeles?
30 years in total. I was born in L.A., took a hiatus for college and grad school, and worked in New York, then returned to L.A.
What are your thoughts on how quickly DTLA and the rest of the Eastside neighborhoods are changing?
My feelings are complicated. I grew up in Echo Park way before it was a destination. With the eastside neighborhoods drastically changed, I get the luxury of enjoying improved amenities, namely top notch restaurants and work out facilities. On the flip side, I am concerned about the changing composition of the neighborhood and the longtime residents that continue to be displaced by gentrification.
Do you own or rent?
Rent
What are your favorite local spots for dining and relaxing in DTLA/Silverlake?
Night + Market Song for Thai; Aroma for Italian; El Conchinto for Cuban; Sushi Gen for Japanese and a splurge; Homegirl Café for Mexican; Pour Haus for a glass a wine
Julie Bowen | Step Up: Inspiring women to inspire girls
What was your first job and how long did you keep it?
Cleaning beepers with a toothbrush at J&J Beepers. Needless to say, I did not keep it for very long.
How and why did you transition your career into the nonprofit space?
I have dedicated my full career to date to the nonprofit field.
When did you discover your dedication for helping young girls fulfill their potential?
My dedication to ensuring that all girls deserve an opportunity to fulfill their potential probably began in the womb when my mom decided to name me Jamie, a gender neutral name so that I would not get discriminated against for being a woman if I were to say, become a writer. From a young age, my parents and their community of friends instilled in me the importance of social justice through things like teaching me about their leadership in the Echo Park Food Conspiracy (political discussion groups + food co-op in the 70’s), taking me to union meetings and all sorts of demonstrations in support of disenfranchised communities, and through role modeling in their own careers. From that foundation, I pursued my passion for social justice and community empowerment educationally by getting a master’s in public administration and professionally through a variety of nonprofit management jobs.
Tell us about the process when volunteering with Step Up.
Step Up volunteers and mentors design their own schedules, which is a way we help make volunteerism and mentorship accessible for busy, professional women. Those interested in mentoring or volunteering can visit our calendar at www.suwn.org./events and sign up for opportunities of interest.
Step Up: Inspiring women to inspire girls
What’s the culture behind Step Up?
Our culture is best explained through our 8 core values, which are:
- Take Pride in Involvement:
It means something to be affiliated with Step Up. We’ll do everything we can to make sure you feel that special something through your involvement, too.
- Be Inspired By and For Each Other:
At Step Up, we’re here for each other. Through your involvement, you are inspiring others to support our work too – sometimes, without even realizing it.
Step Up: Inspiring women to inspire girls
- Take the Long View:
What we do today, can truly impact tomorrow. We’re keeping that in mind.
- Celebrate Success:
Carve out time to acknowledge achievement. It’s time well spent.
- Innovate:
The way it’s always been done has already been done. Find a new way.
- Take Action:
Do something! Something has to happen for something to happen.
- Trust Teamwork:
Teamwork doesn’t mean everyone helps with everything. It means we know our teammates are so good at what they do, we can leave their role to them.
- Amplify Our Message:
We so strongly believe that all girls should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential, we’ll shout it from the rooftop whenever we can.
Do you believe our society still delivers unfair scrutiny towards young women?
Yes. But in the words of our now-alumna Maria, “Confidence is not ‘they will like me.’ Confidence is ‘I am fine if they don’t!’”
“And just like that, the cycle is broken. And all it took was a step up!”
If you could sum up Step Up’s core values in one sentence what would that be?
All girls deserve the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
Step Up Managing Director Jamie Kogan (center) is flanked by Step Up alumnae at the 2016 Inspiration Awards presented by Charming Charlie
If we had the chance to peek at your schedule, what would an average day look like?
No day is ever the same, which makes it fun! For example, today, my time was spent on a range of work areas, from a big picture strategy call with our board chair to my not so favorite, but necessary, mundane tasks like approving time sheets, and a variety of work in other buckets such as completing a mid-year grant report, conducting a performance review with one of our managers, reconciling the monthly budget, and writing thank you notes to individual donors and corporate partners.
What does Step Up believe is the biggest drivers of change within the scoop of educating and empowering young woman?
Mentorship!
Step Up Managing Director Jamie Kogan (right) looks on at a Step Up Power Breakfast featuring Garcelle Beauvais at Christopher Guy showroom in 2013.
How do you see Step Up evolving or pushing social boundaries?
We’re planning to expand to additional cities beginning this fall with Dallas.
What has been the most valuable nugget you’ve learned about business since working with Step Up?
Collaboration and consensus-building are keys to change.
How has Step Up overcome obstacles and stayed driven?
Step Up is able to keep growing thanks to our dedicated board members around the country. These women share their time, talents and treasure with Step Up and it’s truly inspiring.
Many young girls struggle to turn their passions into careers. What specific advice does Step Up offer them?
Rather than advice, Step Up provides support – by connecting girls with women role models who are working in these careers and industries the girls are passionate about. There is definitely a sense of “once you see it, you can be it” through Step Up.
Pictures courtesy of Amy Tierney/Thrive Images & justjared.
Glenn Shelhamer | Realtor DTLA | Specialist DTLA Real Estate
I’m a local real estate agent with The Shelhamer Real Estate Group, and it would be my pleasure to help you find the perfect property to call home in Downtown Los Angeles, or if you’re thinking about selling a house, condo, or multi-family building in Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Glassell Park, Mount Washington, or Downtown Los Angeles, it would be a privilege to help you get top dollar for the sale of your property.
Let’s chat sometime. 310-913-9477 or contact me.
