Jackson Teens 'Say Yes' to Prom with Free Gown Fittings

More than 200 students receive free prom gowns, scholarships, and dorm supplies

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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In Jackson, Mississippi, more than 200 high school juniors and seniors lined up at Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church for the annual Her Prom Closet gown fitting event, sponsored by Memphis-based Couture Cares. The event allowed students to try on and take home formal gowns at no cost, easing the financial burden on families. In addition to the free gowns, students also had the chance to compete for scholarships and receive dorm supplies to help with the transition to college.

Why it matters

The Her Prom Closet event aims to provide access to prom attire for students who may not otherwise be able to afford it, helping to build confidence and self-esteem. By removing financial barriers, the program allows families to focus on other priorities like college and graduation.

The details

The Her Prom Closet event, held at Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, provided more than 200 high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to try on and take home formal gowns at no cost. The event was sponsored by Memphis-based Couture Cares, a program that seeks to ease the financial burden on families during prom season. In addition to the free gowns, students also had the chance to compete for scholarships and receive dorm supplies to help with the transition to college.

  • The Her Prom Closet gown fitting event took place on Saturday.

The players

Couture Cares

A Memphis-based organization that sponsors the Her Prom Closet event to provide free prom gowns, scholarships, and dorm supplies to high school students.

Reginald Buckley

The senior pastor of Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, which has hosted the Her Prom Closet event for the past eight years.

Davina Jones

A representative from Couture Cares who stated the program aims to ease financial burdens on families during prom season.

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What they’re saying

“We're just trying to take the burden off these parents at this expensive cost and in these times that we're in.”

— Davina Jones, Couture Cares representative (wapt.com)

“As they say yes to the dress, they're also saying yes to something much deeper — saying yes to themselves, saying yes to the image who they want to be, who they are attempting to become, and who God has already ordained them to be.”

— Reginald Buckley, Senior pastor, Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church (wapt.com)

The takeaway

The Her Prom Closet event demonstrates the power of community-driven initiatives to provide access to essential resources and build confidence in young people, helping them to celebrate important milestones like prom and prepare for the next chapter of their lives.