The 2023 Holiday Soul Nutcracker Market will offer a One-Day Shopping experience featuring a diverse group of merchants that will celebrate and kick-off the Fall Holiday season with a bang! Merchants will offer home and holiday décor, gifts, clothing, and unique items that highlight the culture and lifestyle of communities of color.  We talk to the event co-creators and organizers, Shana Scott and Michelle Moore, who explains how the Market will pour needed commerce back into the targeted community through its support of non-profit organizations and initiatives that are focused on those most in need in the community.

Tech Fest Live, the pinnacle of technology and innovation gatherings, is
set to amaze and inspire attendees with its highly anticipated annual event. On 11/03/2023, the POST in Houston will transform into a hub of creativity, learning, and cutting-edge exploration, as Tech Fest Live presents a curated showcase of the latest technological breakthroughs, visionary speakers, and immersive experiences. We speak with Khalil Vinson, Founder & CEO at Tech Fest Live about the event. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fidelity International Trade & Creative Connect (FITCC) hosted by Fidelity Bank Nigeria, is a global platform that facilitates the connection of Nigerian product, service, and creative exports to markets overseas. It ultimately seeks to drive the integrations of Nigerian businesses to global supply-chain networks via partnerships and FDIs. To dive deep into that we have the event organizers from Fidelity Bank Nigeria, Linda Anukwuem and Uzoma Eze.

Ember Skeyez, Executive Director of Operations for Skeyez N’ Starz, hosts an array of engaging community events and activities including dance classes, acting workshops, mental health seminars, film projects, concerts, and more. Their staple event, demonstrating the impact of creativity on the community and mental health, is the Annual Skeyez N’ Starz Showcase, which the 5th annual is Saturday, October 28th, 2023.

Rev. Dr. Jacilet Griffin started JUSTICE4EVAN because her son, Evan Griffin - Lee was murdered. Since then, she has  introduced a bill in his name, Texas House Bill 3434 and 80, as well as a support group to help families with their healing process, and finally participatory defense – to assist wrongfully convicted individuals in Harris and Fort Bend Counties. In honor of Evan, whose birthday is in November, they are recognizing him by having the 1st Annual "JUSTICE4EVAN" SNEAKERS BALL BENEFIT BREAKFAST on Saturday, October 28th, 2023 at the Quail Run Community Center in Missouri City.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Candice Matthews, founder of Children of Diversity, is back to give an update on the Cy-Fair HS assistant principal removed from campus after an altercation with a student, the Texas high school student who was suspended over the length of this locs, and information on recruitment for foster families.  We also discuss the connection between CPS and child human trafficking.

Dr. Lindsay Banks is a Doctor of Chiropractic Functional Medicine, Personal Trainer, and founder of Healthy Motives 365.  We met her at the National Urban League Conference and welcomed her on the podcast. We talk about What is Functional Medicine, The 5 Pillars of Health, and The Importance of a Healthy Gut.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AAMA – the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans – serving Houston’s Latino community is a legacy. The long-standing Latino nonprofit organization has been serving the local region from its main East End campus for more than five decades. This year AMMA has announced its plan to continue expanding its services. We talk to D'Jomme, the Director of the Work & Learn Center, and the AAMA Gala Co-Chair, Ceneria. Its annual Illumine Gala is the nonprofit organization’s largest fundraising event of the year and this year will be happening at The Ballroom at Bayou Place from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

From The Ensemble Theatre it's Cast Me Dammit! A new web series co-created by Michelle Elaine and Nickclette Izuegbu, inspired by their journeys as actors. This hilarious series satirizes the difficulties many artists face in their careers. Cast Me Dammit! centers on Evey, a struggling actress, who enlists her friends to help create the ultimate demo reel in hopes that this demo reel will help her book more work. We talk with the Co-Creator, Co-Writer, and actress, Michelle Elaine.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Holly Charles-Pearson, founder and owner of Houston Play on Purpose is here to talk about her first short film, If They Took Us Back. We discuss her pivot from theater to film: going from author to playwright/director to filmmaker/screenwriter/director, how artists and creatives are bouncing back after COVID, and the Houston arts scene. 

Prevention Zone Inc. is hosting their 3rd annual 2023 Catalyst for Change Community Forum on October 7, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at The Ensemble Black Box. We talk to the founder, Daphine Jack, Rev. Lee, and Percy Kennedy about the topics that will be discussed at this year's forum, including Juvenile Justice in Texas: Challenges & Future, Unraveling Wrongful Convictions: Mental Health Impact in Texas, Navigating Criminal Justice: Prison, Parole & Probation, Rethinking Jail Reform & Reducing Deaths: Harris County Jail, Houston and more.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This September join the fight against childhood cancer by participating in the St. Jude Walk/Run Houston on September 30, 2023 at Houston Sports Park locally sponsored by KBR and Chair King Backyard Store. This family-friendly event raises funds to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Finding cures. Saving children. We talk to Pastor H. Giraud, MBA Sr. Liaison and St. Jude patient, Diana.

5 Strong gives scholars the support they need to succeed at HBCUs. 5 Strong is about the potential, the genius, the leadership of our young people. We talk to the executive director, Jeffery Taylor, about the 50 full tuition scholarships for Houston seniors can apply for and attend on of our partnering HBCU’s. Together, we can make students’ lives better, make their colleges better, and make our country better. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Negro Motorist Green Book, a new exhibition developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) in collaboration with award-winning author, photographer and cultural documentarian, Candacy Taylor will be on display in Holocaust Museum Houston’s Josef and Edith Mincberg Gallery Sept. 1 through Nov. 26, 2023.  The Green Book provided critical, life-saving information on restaurants, gas stations, department stores and other businesses that welcomed African American travelers during an era of segregation and Jim Crow laws. The annual guide, created in 1936 by Harlem postman Victor Green, was published until 1967.  We speak with Marquette Folley, Content Director, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Alex Hampton, Changing Exhibitions Manager, Holocaust Museum Houston.

Signature Sipz, is a Texas-Based Winery that specializes in Custom Crafting. For over a decade this Company has evolved spearheaded by Master Crafter, Dr. Hope Foster.  The 2023 Billionaire Beverage Ball is a lavish and exclusive event that showcases the finest wines crafted by Dr. Hope Foster. The event provides guests with a unique and unforgettable tasting experience, complete with live entertainment, gourmet food, and a luxurious atmosphere. The Ball is a celebration of luxury, refinement, and the art of the perfect drink. Process benefit the Lupus Foundation. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Media Personality, speaker, and entrepreneur, Sky Houston shares an inspirational, strategic and glimmering life-system for finally closing the gap between reality and where you want to be, in the new release, "Don't Waste Another Year."  On Thursday, September 21st, 2023, is the pre-release party, for pre-orders and digital journals, at Rockhouse Southern Kitchen.  

Back on the program is the founder of Children of Diversity, Dr. Candice Matthews.  She has brought with her human trafficking expert, Angela Williams to talk about the signs of your children being groomed, how important it is to monitor your child's social media if they have one, and she shares her own story of being a survivor of human trafficking. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess is here to talk about the passage of a bill by the Texas Legislature that will provide the first jury pay increase in our state since 2005. Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill and it will go into effect on September 1. Jury pay will increase from the current $6 to $20 on the first day of jury service, and from $40 to $58 on subsequent days.

The Houston Informer Foundation is back to announce three outstanding fundraising events to celebrate local history and promote positive change. We're joined by the President of HIFI, Publisher Mykel Collins, Publisher Lorenza Butler Jr., and Cynthia Stewart, Executive VP of SuitMart to talk about Suit September with SuitMart. We also talk about a September 2 Remember; A Tribute to Legendary Pioneers, the Charity Golf Classic, and the Houston Renaissance Awards Reception. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since their founding in 2017, The Sanders Hand non-profit organization has been committed to decreasing those statistics, by providing at-risk youth ages 12-25 with financial education and skills and resources to achieve financial independence. To date, they have given away more than $20,000 in scholarships to students of the program, graduating over 72 students from leadership camps, and increasing projected household- income from their services by almost $20,000.  We chat with The Sanders Hand CEO/Founder, Sebastian Sanders about his amazing organization and programs helping local youth.

Neighbor’s Pizza Bar, a local pizza and wine bar in Houston, is proud to announce the screening of a captivating documentary showcasing the life and work of the renowned street artist known as "Be Someone." The documentary, created by talented local filmmaker Iris Karami, delves into the inspiring message behind the iconic artwork that has touched the lives of countless Houstonians.  We talk to Iris to find out what inspired her to BE SOMEONE and film this documentary. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.