Bridging our Future: Education in Houston & Beyond

On Thursday, April 30th, Vox Culture will be hosting its third event from its Bridging our Future series, Education in Houston & Beyond.

The event will feature several speakers including:

• Mark Cuerva - Education Liason to the Office of Mayor Annise Parker, City of Houston
• Laura Isensee - Education Reporter, Houston Public Media
• Jonathan Trinh - Principal of Lee High School & HISD Representative
• Sobeyda Gomez - Education Specialist

This awareness event will focus on looking at the state of education in Houston with a focus on addressing the literacy rates that our year's partner, HISD, is trying to tackle amongst its schools.

Featured Poets include:

• Chris Wise
• Bucky Rea
• James Zissou
• Laurie Chandler

More details, including artists performing will be announced soon. 

Vox Core Team Social @ The Chocolate Bar

On Sunday, March 29^th, Vox Culture had its Core Team socia gathering at the Chocolate Bar, where the team members got to make their own chocolate! This event was a great way for the team to interact and meet with the rest of the new members.

Each “Chocolatier” was given a slip of paper where he or she chose what type of chocolate they would like to use: milk, dark or white, and toppings they would like to include to their chocolate. Some kept it simple while others got as creative as possible.

The evening ended with laughs, good friends, and a lot of sugar highs!

 

Vox Mentorship Program Kickoff

Vox Culture is excited to announce that as of April 9th, we will be kicking off the Vox Mentorship Program with Lee High School!

The mentorship program will consist of several different workshops including: Reading, Writing, Public Speaking, College Applications, and General Guidance. Vox Mentors will be meeting with the students of Lee High School at least twice a month through out the 2015 calendar year. The mentors will be working with the students both in small groups (implementing creative workshops addressing the students needs) and one-on-one basis. 

If you would like more information or if you’re interested in volunteering and/or mentoring, contac humeira.akbar@voxculture.org

Introducing Vox Culture's Financial Coordinator Albert Wong

Welcome Albert Wong, Vox Culture's Financial Coordinator. Albie's role is to ensure the financial side of Vox runs efficiently and smoothly.

I am a Certified Public Accountant who, in my free time, enjoys triathlons and sports in general and seeks to experience as many different cultures and places as possible, especially from the vantage point of a motorcycle.  Ultimate food lover and voracious reader.

What attracted you to Vox?

I like Vox's mission, which I think can be summed up as making this world a better place.  It's purpose is aligned with my own.

 What is your favorite ice cream?

I prefer a variety, so I don't have just one favorite flavor... but if I had to choose it would be Shiner Bock ice cream from Amy's. 

What is your artistic/creative passion?

I enjoy playing the cello. I started playing in the 3rd grade, and currently I play in an informal orchestra that meets twice a month at my church.

Introducing Vox Culture's Financial Coordinator Andrea Smith!

Welcome Andrea Smith, our Financial Coordinator. Andrea is in charge of the financial side of the orginization, where she establishes the annual budgets to ensure everything runs smoothly. 

My name is Andrea Smith, and though originally from Indiana, consider myself a Houstonian, having lived here for the most part since 1999. My professional background is varied, having owned and worked in the bar industry for a number of years, before graduating from Houston Baptist University in 2004 with a degree in Finance, where I then began working a branch of corporate finance and accounting known as Financial Planning & Analysis within the electricity industry. I don’t have many hobbies, but I enjoy most outdoor activities as well as cooking and entertaining.  I also have been known to frequent events at the Houston theatres and art museums.

What attracted you to Vox?

I liked the idea behind Vox, to use the arts and expression through art to give voice to the social issues within Houston. It just seemed like a perfectly natural fit, to use my analytic abilities to provide support to a group which aids local social causes, as well as allowing me to become more exposed to those with greater creative talents than mine.

What is your favorite ice cream?

Depending on my mood…  Usually either vanilla or mint-chocolate-chip, with hot fudge topping. If not craving sweet, probably a lemon sorbet.

If you can travel to any country in the world, where would it be and why?

New Zealand, or Romania, to go hiking, biking, and slow touring, as they are both said to be absolutely beautiful.