Welcome Vox Assistant Director, Shakshi Kshatriya!

It is our pleasure to announce the newest addition to our team, Vox Assistant Director, Shakshi Kshatriya! Shakshi's role with Vox will be to continue to develop and expand upon the groundwork that has been layed by both current and past Vox Team members. She will support the Executive Director in bringing more depth, research and quantitative meaning to the work that Vox Culture does. See below to learn more about Shakshi!

What attracted you to Vox Culture?

 I was inspired by Vox's purpose. Inspired by its commitment to help the community through various avenues while maintaining the integrity of your institution. Inspired by the group of advocates and leaders in Vox. When I see a group of immigrants on a board attempting to eradicate different issues plaguing their current society, it is inspiring. Vox Culture seems unique and its design worth learning about. An amalgamation of arts (something that connects communities) and social causes (something that plagues communities) seemed, again, inspiring. This is what has led me to apply. I wanted to be part of such an experience.  I could say: I want to give back, engage with society, make a difference etc. but that wouldn’t encompass the possibilities your organization will provide. 

 What is you favorite sweet?

Anything chocolate works! But if you want to get specific: I love gooey chocolate chip cookies and hot pecan pie with cold vanilla ice cream.

 If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

The power to heal. I would love to be able to cure people of their ailments. Or be like Captain Planet!

What is a social topic that you feel most passionate about?

That's a tough one. I want to help everyone, everything that lives on this planet (including the planet). But if I had to pick one it would have to be Education. 

 What is a form of art that you appreciate the most?

5) I enjoy Post-Impressionism. Mainly because I love the fact that the Post-Impressionist movement has components of Realism, vividness of Impressionism and early traces of Expressionism. It suits my eclectic taste in art. 

Seeking Assistant Director at Vox Culture

Seeking young professional or graduate/graduate school bound student with ability to show leadership qualities and assist Executive Director in operations pertaining to Vox Culture. Great opportunity for individual to continue to learn, solidify, and/or contribute various skill sets.

This is a part-time (8-13 hours per week) role with a minimum 1 year term expectation.

EXPERIENCE

• Recent college graduate with Bachelor's minimum
• Master's degree Candidate (on-going or recent) a plus
• Previous advocacy experience a plus
• Degree preferable in the following areas: Sociology, Social Service, Development, Law, Political Science, Education, International Studies, or similar
• MBA Candidates, or Masters Candidates in afforementioned fields are welcome to apply

PREFERRED SKILL SETS

• Strong Communication/Orator
• Able to use Microsoft Programs, Social Media Apps/Tools, Familiar with database use such as Vertical Response
• Strong writing ability
• Strong critical thinking ability and strategic thinker
• Able to coordinate, co-lead and delegate tasks amongst larger team
• Able to present ideas and projects infront of larger crowd
• Strong organizing skills and able to coordinate/strategize events
• Preferably fluent in more than one language, Spanish a plus, however not mandatory

EXPECTATIONS 

• Oversee duties are being fulfilled by Vox team and support where needed.
• Promote Vox brand and organization through networking events.
• Communicate and build relationships with clients, partners, volunteers, and boards - with guidance of Executive Director.
• Assist with Bi-Monthly newsletter and event/project recaps
• Assess and analyze the vision alignment of partnering with organizations that fight against poverty and injustice.
• Hold meeting with Executive Director either by phone conference or in person once per week.
• Plan smaller events with Volunteer Coordinator to engage and appreciate Volunteers.
• Help support key events together with Vox team (6-8 events total per year)
• Support Executive Director in leading Vox team through preparation and carrying out of events.
• Assist Executive Director in grant writing (platform to teach how will be provided).
• Assist/Support Executive Director in addressing and mitigating urgent issues that arise.

3rd Annual Vox Local Arts Mixer (V+LAM III) on 3/24!

Vox Culture presents their 3rd annual Vox Local Arts Mixer (V+LAM III). The event will take place at La Grange Houston from 6:15PM-9:00PM on Thursday, March 24th. Tickets available by clicking on Eventbrite here.

Flyer Image by: Vladislav Scepanovic, Armagedon

This fun and diverse arts mixer features both established as well as new names in the Houston arts scene. The goal of the mixer is to allow Houstonians to engage with these selected artists (representing various art realms) one-on-one while exploring and engaging in their latest art work and/or best known art pieces. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase any work exhibited by participating artists, with 100% of those proceeds remaining with the artist.

V+LAM III Featured Artist: Anat Ronen

Additionally, V+LAM guests will be able to enjoy complimentary lite bites served during the first hour by La Grange Houston! A $5.00 special on Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company’s ‘Sam’s Daily’ and Saint Arnold Brewing Company’s ‘Art Car IPA’ will be served at the event as well!!!

V+LAM III Featured Artist: Ben DeSoto

A part of the proceeds from guests purchase of either or both of these local beer selections will go towards supporting Vox Culture’s current projects for 2016. Vox Culture’s current theme, Connecting our Local & Global Neighbors, focuses on finding creative solutions to addressing the topic of refugees. More information can be found by finding us on Facebook or visiting our webpage at www.voxculture.org.

V+LAM III Featured Artist: Lorena Fernandez

V+LAM is FREE to attend, but your RSVP IS REQUIRED. This can be done by claiming your ticket here via Eventbrite!! Complimentary valet provided by Mister Valet Parking to all ticket holders!!!

V+LAM III Featured Artist: Rob DiTeodoro

Special Guests & Local Artist Roster (click name’s to view their website):

Anat Ronen - Ben DeSoto - Lorena Fernandez - Vladislav Scepanovic - Rob DiTeodoro - Sky Trues - Ad Deum Dance Company

V+LAM III Featured Artist: Ad Deum Dance Company

V+LAM III Featured Artist: Sky Trues

V+LAM III Featured Artist: Vladislav Scepanovic

Inquiries in regards to this event can be directed to our Media Coordinator, Carlos Schuler, at carlos.schuler@voxculture.org.

Community comes out in force for 'Vox Storytellers'

Vox hosted it's second event of the season for "Connecting our Local & Global Neighbors" at A 2nd Cup Coffee Shop on Sat. February 27. "Vox Story Tellers" featured several clients from our 2016 community partners: The Community Cloth, IEDA Relief, and PAIR Houston. Rather than putting energy in solely discussing the past that some of these individuals have gone through, the event was dedicated towards these individuals sharing their vision of THEIR FUTURE!

Speakers included refugees from Burma, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A Student, Artisan Woman, and Author/Military Official helped us today to see that the term "refugee" is so much more than what media portrays. Our neighbors have a name and they are human.

The goal of this event was find ways to support these individuals in their goals/dreams, and listen to some of the challenges and/or positives that they have had in achieving or attaining their ambitions.

Vox Hosts Film Screening + Open Discussion on Refugees

On Sunday, January 31st, Vox Culture opened its its 2016 series, Connecting our Local and Global Neighbors, by hosting a film screening and open discussion on the topic of refugees. The goal of the series is to engage in a deeper conversation on the subject of refugees.

The event presented three short films: My Honeymoon (by Eileen Hofer), From Nepal to Seattle's Rainer Valley (by Pangeality Productions of Seattle WA), and Shaya (by Amir Noorani).

This opening event for the Connecting our Local and Global Neighbors series was held in collaboration with several community partners including: The Community Cloth, PAIR Houston, IEDA Relief, and OCA Houston.

The leaders of The Community Cloth, PAIR Houston, IEDA Relief were present to both discuss the challenges and situations facing refugees in Houston, while the audience also presented questions to each of them; that they had written and built upon group discussions that took place between the film showings.

Altogether it was a great and powerful opener to what is shaping to be an exciting year, one that is driven to give a voice to those unheard!