Can one black dress worn for five short days create awareness about issues that affect others for a lifetime?

The iconic Little Black Dress (LBD) is usually thought of as just a fashionable wardrobe staple great for business or a fun night out. So why is the LBD at the center of an awareness campaign about foster youth?

Founded in 2014 by the Junior League of London, the Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI) is a week-long awareness and fundraising campaign that harnesses the power of social media to illustrate the limitations foster youth have in choices, opportunities, and access to resources. Advocates wear one black dress for five consecutive days, in an effort to spark conversations and awareness about local foster youth and related issues.

To date, dozens of Junior Leagues have replicated the initiative in their own communities, collectively sparking countless conversations and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of important community programs.