FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALLIANCE OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT NONPROFITS

CELEBRATES  NATIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH 

BY HONORING AND EMPOWERING WOMEN SEEKING

EMPLOYMENT IN A NATIONAL EVENT SPONSORED BY

SMART & SEXY & CURVY COUTURE

Washington, D.C. (February 21, 2022) – In honor of Women’s History Month, the Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN) and its member organizations will host events beginning March 02, 2023. The official holiday as recognized in the Chase Book of Holidays is March 13, 2023. This event will serve to empower women job seekers across the U.S. and to help share best practices, prepare them for employment, and hear from other brilliant women speakers. Launched in 2012 by Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits - a national membership organization that supports independent, community-based organizations that provide professional attire and career skills training to low-income women and men - and sponsored by Smart & Sexy® Lingerie, one of the largest privately held lingerie companies in the country, the 2023 Smart & Sexy Day celebrations will train and support close to 500 women throughout the country. Smart & Sexy Day events inspire women, boosting their self-confidence to feel assured, confident, and employable. 2022 Smart & Sexy Day events will also be sponsored by Curvy CoutureTM. The mission of Curvy CoutureTM is to uplift curvy women, both in body and mind, through artful innovation that celebrates her best self.

In 2021, to accommodate COVID-19 closures, ACDN hosted our first virtual National Smart & Sexy Day. Today, our virtual events serve as a kick-off to a month-long celebration during Women’s Month showcasing amazing national guest speakers covering topics that will help increase the confidence of women job-seekers across the country. Smart & Sexy Day & Month events help prepare women to increase their self confidence and enhance the quality of their lives. The 2023 event theme is REDEFINING SEXY. Although the national unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in years, the 2023 job market has brought with it massive layoffs and uncertainty for job seekers. Workers more and more look to find the right job that fits their needs and lifestyle. With that comes the need for confidence to articulate what will best fit them, to redefine what their best life looks like. The Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits is excited to host these events and help women everywhere achieve their best selves. 

This year’s guest speakers will cover topics like Healthier Lifestyles, Confident Women, Job Security, Financial Equity, Mindful Mindsets, Loving Your Body among other topics. Women who attend Smart & Sexy Day events receive Smart&Sexy foundation garments.

2023 Guest Speakers include:
13-time national elevator pitch champion, Precious Williams, of Perfect Pitches by Precious, who has also successfully appeared on ABC's “Shark Tank," CNN, Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Black Enterprise Magazine. @perfectpitchesp https://www.perfectpitchesbyprecious.com/
International speaker, best-selling author of 13 books, and Ayurveda and mindfulness coach, Sweta Vikram, who is committed to helping people thrive on their own terms. @swetavikram https://swetavikram.com/ 

Creator of the Sugar Ain’t Sweet program, Health Coach and author, Rochelle T. Park. @rochelletpark https://www.rochelletparks.com/ 

Financial Advisor, Speaker and Author of the book “The Secrets of Savings Money: Experiencing The Unlimited” and President/CEO of Integrity Financial Solutions, Inc. & Integrity Financial Consulting Group, LLC, Breanna Colón. @colonbreanna www.themoneycounselors.com

Participants can register for the event here https://www.acdnonline.org/smartandsexy 

Smart & Sexy Day events provide a day of workforce training, professional image classes, and individual support for women to take action in their careers, secure employment, and enhance the quality of their lives. Women who attend Smart & Sexy Day events receive Smart & Sexy® foundation garments. Foundation garments ensure women have added confidence and support on their job interviews. Smart & Sexy Day event programs provide job-seeking skills training from leading industry professionals and dedicated volunteers, as well as tips for shopping for and building a professional wardrobe on a budget. 

2023 List of locations (list will be updated as dates are confirmed)

• ACDN National Kickoff Celebration - March 2

• Youth of Valor Empowerment (Miami, FL) -March 4

• The Wardrobe (Philadelphia, PA) -March 28

• Desert Best Friend's Closet (Palm Desert, CA) -April 27

• Jackets for Jobs, Inc. (Detroit, MI) -March 9

• Suited for Change (Washington, DC) -March 4

• Tailored for Success (Malden, MA) -March 28

• Transforming Lives & Restoring Hope, Inc. (Roanoke Rapids, NC) -March 17

• Transforming Lives & Restoring Hope, Inc (Petersburg, VA) – March TBD

The Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN) serves as a keystone for our members – amplifying their effect across the country. In addition to resume editing and professional development support, ACDN member agencies help reduce job search stress. “Providing clients with professional outfits, a good handbag, shoes, and foundation garments helps to level the playing field, especially when you are low-income. Our member agencies meet job seekers where they are. They provide job seekers with the tools to begin their journey toward self-sufficiency.” says Gineyda Diaz, Board President of the Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits. “ACDN member organizations serve over 35,000 women and men each year, day in and day out, ensuring those seeking self-sufficiency have an equal chance! Through our Smart & Sexy Day events, we teach women to uplift each other and to feel confident and hire-able.”

All Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN) Members receive product from Smart & Sexy lIngerie to support to their clients. For a full list of ACDN members, visit:  www.acdnonline.org/locations. 

ABOUT Smart & Sexy ® 

Smart&Sexy is the in-house brand for Ariela & Associates International, which was founded over 20 years ago. We believe that confidence comes from underneath. We design obtainable swimwear and intimates with everyday comfort features, so that every woman can look and feel their best every day. Smart fit, sexy and flattering styles, quality, comfort and amazing value are the brand’s guiding principles. For every Smart&Sexy garment sold, they make a donation to an organization that empowers and supports women. They provide foundational garments (a bad bra does not set the tone for a good interview), career guidance like resume building and interview prep, and they work with other female lead businesses helping turn their dreams into realities. Learn more: www.smartandsexy.com 

ABOUT Curvy CoutureTM

Dora Lau and Evora Russell founded Curvy Couture in 2013. Curvy Couture was their vision to create comfortable, supportive, and expertly sized bras that make you feel your best. Curvy Couture is to uplift curvy women, both in body and mind, through artful innovation that celebrates her best self.

For more information on Smart & Sexy, please contact:

Brady Halbert, Brand Manager

T: (646) 432-6116 / E: bhalbert@aai-llc.com 

ABOUT the Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN)

The Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN) fosters the creation and growth of community-based organizations that assist individuals to secure and maintain employment. We are a national resource that facilitates a like-minded community by offering best practices, professional development, and financial and operational support. 

Each year, member agencies of ACDN assist more than 35,000 women and men across the country transition into the workplace. The professional clothing, training, and coaching services provided by our member agencies help women and men prepare for and succeed in the workplace. Since ACDN’s inception, over 300,000 women and men have been outfitted with interview attire. Learn more: www.acdnonline.org. 1775 Eye Street, NW, Suite 1150, Washington, D.C. 20006

For more information about the Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits, please contact:

April Jarrett, Executive Director     Gineyda Diaz, Board President

Tel: (803)351-0896  / E: ajarrett@acdnonline.orgTel: 917-443-4776  / E: gdiaz@acdnonline.org