We asked members of the community how their organizations help the community. We’ve shared some of the responses below.

Andrea Gamble

After years of working with individuals on the autism spectrum and other developmental disabilities, I have been discouraged as many of my individuals grow up, want to work, but are unable to get hired or maintain a meaningful job. The AUsome Cat Cafe will be a job training site and future employment for adults with various abilities. We will work not only on job training skills that will allow the individual to experience many different jobs (working with animals, retail, food and beverage, janitorial services, etc.) but we will also help guide them to meaningful employment beyond the cafe (when possible) and provide job references to be able to be employed outside the cafe. Read More>>

Morgan Thomas

At Morgan Paige Design Studio, I truly believe that good design can make people feel more at ease in their own homes. I work with families who are often in the middle of a big transition—like remodeling or building—and I help take a lot of the pressure off by making the process feel more clear, exciting, and manageable. Read More>>

Nibu Abraham

Through Generasian Radio, and our Monthly IndoHouse night Spindia which has been Houston’s global musical secret weapon for over two decades, we’ve made it our mission to spotlight artists from corners of the planet that most maps forget. We give a mic to voices that usually get drowned out by the mainstream. In a world constantly building walls, we’re spinning records that build bridges Read More>>

Miguel Martinez

Music is therapeutic. From soothing sounds to loud, intense drumming, I believe it all has a helpful benefit. It can be an escape from your current problems, or help u find a solution for those problems. All about perspective. Whether it’s to forget, remember, or just for pure enjoyment, my DJ’n business has helped both me and my clients create memorable times amongst loved ones! That’s just speaking on live DJ sets, my aim is to positively influence worldwide with my music! I’ve recently stepped into the producer DJ world. Very much looking forward to this venture! it was only a matter of time i suppose. Read More>>

Moneka Watson

Growing up, I was always drawn to visuals—music videos, old photographs, and movies. But I didn’t fully understand why until I got older. Around 2013, I noticed a wave of creative storytellers who were taking control of their narratives and sharing them on YouTube. One creator who deeply inspired me was Issa Rae. Watching Awkward Black Girl made me realize that I had the power to tell my own story too. Read More>>

Esra SAKAR

For me, art is not only a form of aesthetic expression, but a tool to expand empathy, raise awareness, and bring the invisible into focus. Through my photography projects, particularly those focusing on mental health, I highlight psychological conditions that are often overlooked or misunderstood such as depression, anxiety, and dissociative identity disorder. Each portrait doesn’t just depict a face, but a state of emotion communicated through light, shadow, and gaze rather than words. Read More>>

 Dusty Pressley

The Haus of Wicked is committed and founded on the idea that everyone has the right to be themselves. That could mean having rainbow hair, or that could mean having a stylist who listens to you and finally give you the Gender Affirming haircut you never got anywhere else. As someone who has a quite a few trans and non binary clients I have heard stories of other salons who refuse to give them what they want because “it doest align with me/it doesnt feel right to do”. My salon has always been and always will be a SAFE SPACE! Read More>>

Elizaveta Malone

At its heart, EZ Elopements, LLC was created to give couples the freedom to reclaim their wedding day—not as a performance or production, but as a deeply personal experience rooted in connection, authenticity, and adventure. What started as my husband Zack and I planning a simple, meaningful ceremony for ourselves in a new city with no family nearby, quickly became a calling to help others do the same. Since 2017, we’ve had the honor of helping over 1,170 couples around the world say “I do” in a way that’s truly theirs. Read More>>