Monday
Sep152014

Introducing Vox Media Coordinator, Crystal Koo!

Introducing Crystal Koo, Vox Culture's Media Coordinator! Crystal plays a vital role in the team, helping both promote as well as raise awareness amongst the general public, Vox supporters, and the media about events and/or activities that we have coming up. Furthermore, Crystal helps ensure that all of Vox's social media outlets are up to date and constantly filled with the latest in the arts and advocacy world at home and abroad. Be sure to keep your eyes out for Crystal's daily postings and as she shares the latest with you as to the latest happenings Vox!

 

I am currently working towards a graduate degree in Accouting at the University of Houston after having completed my bachelors in Fine Arts at the University of Albany-SUNY. When I am not studying about numbers, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, practicing bikram yoga, or exploring different coffee shops around the Montrose area of Houston.

What is your favorite ice cream? Who needs a million different flavors of  ice cream when you can have vanilla (with rainbow sprinkles)!

What is your favorite art medium? My favorite medium is photography, I love how you can capture different moments of emotion with just a click of a button.

What form(s) of communication do you feel are the most beneficial in raising awareness around social issues? I feel that many people respond more through visuals, especially videos. It gives us a quicker and detailed insight of what's going on in society.

In your opinion, how do different media realms impact the world? Different media realms such as twitter, youtube and facebook..etc...keeps us updated of what's go on daily. As our society is becoming more technological, we receive news within minutes, even seconds after an event has occurred. What's amazing are the responses that occur within the time frame of its post.

Saturday
Aug302014

August Newsletter: 'Proclaiming Humanity' Returns

a. Vox Local Arts Mixer (V+LAM)
b. 9/20 The Tahirih Justice Center 2014 Gala
c. Farewells: Celia Houck 
d. Introducing Vox Research & Development Coordinator, William Abila!
e. Available Core Team Roles


After a fun summer with V+LAM, the Proclaiming Humanity series on domestic violence returns from its summer hiatus, with the next event taking place in September! 
==

a. VOX LOCAL ARTS MIXER (V+LAM)
On Tuesday, August 26, Vox debuted its 1st annual Vox Local Arts Mixerto a large, diverse, and amazing crowd at Blackfinn American Grille!
pic1

pic2
The audience was treated to a night of great music, while viewing and/or being introduced to some amazing art created by some of our Houston-based artists! Art realms featured at this event included: poetry, film, photography, dance, jewelry, and different forms of painting.
pic3

pic4
The audience and artists got to mingle with each other over food and drinks while also getting the chance to learn more about Vox Culture. 
pic5

pic6
The Artist roster included:

Amir Safi: www.miccheckpoetry.org 

Angel Quesada: www.angelquesada.com 

Brilliart Films: www.brilliart.com 

Gonzo247: www.aerosolwarfare.com 

Royal Khamitic Creations by K. Ali

Monique Weston: www.moniqueweston.com 

Nicky Davis: www.nickydavis.com 

T.K. Ahn: www.tkahnstudio.com

TX Salsa Congress: www.txsalsacongress.com 

Wind Photography: www.facebook.com/WindPhotography

Look forward to see our next arts mixer take place in summer of 2015! 


pic7

b. 9/20 THE TAHIRIH JUSTICE CENTER 2014 GALA

On Saturday, September 20, the Tahirih Justice Center's Houston office will be hosting its 3rd annual gala!
tahir
This will be a festive and moving evening to pay tribute to the incredible courage of Tahirih’s clients, and renew our commitment to work together to end violence against women and girls. Tickets and more information can be found byclicking here. If you would like to volunteer at this event, please send a message to sunisha.choksi@voxculture.org.

c. FAREWELL: CELIA HOUCK
This month, we say good-bye to one of our Core Team members, Celia Houck.
celia
Celia served as Vox's Social Media Voice for the past two years, helping both introduce new individuals to Vox, as well as helping spread to others the goals and mission of our organization. Celia also helped either start up, rebooted, and took care of Vox's social media presence, aiding us in creating new Pinterest, Instagram, Linkedin, and Twitter accounts. Celia has been a social media tour de force for us and we wish her all the best in what the future is yet to bring!

d. INTRODUCING VOX RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR, WILLIAM ABILA!

Introducing William Abila, Vox Culture's Research & Development Coordinator! William plays a key role in the internal development of Vox and is responsible for the educational blog pieces that appear on the Vox website and our social media outlets. His writing gives both a clearer context and a deeper understanding as to why the social issues that we focus on are important and how they impact Houston. Be on the look out for some great reads written by William, and have your minds opened!


I am an offshore facilities designer -I design offshore oil platforms - with a passion for history, literature, poetry, and art. I also enjoy dancing; I used to instruct in salsa and currently dance competitively -with my girlfriend- to country music. I am very eclectic and eccentric because by day you may find me riding around on my longboard in skater clothes and dancing by night in my cowboy hat and jeans at my favorite country bar.

What is your favorite ice cream? My favorite ice cream is pistachio froyo.

Why is it important for people to be informed? I believe that the community should be informed of the issues that are affecting all those around us. I've always said be prepared for any situation, and prevention not reaction is my motto. Do not wait for life to knock you down be prepared to stay on your feet and move out of the way.

If there is one thing that you could change about the world, for the better what would it be? The one thing I would change about the world is to make college, at least undergraduate status, a part of public education and government funded. I believe an educated mind is a mind less likely to be involved in criminal activity and more likely to benefit the world -and in doing so make the American dream not just a cliche but an attainable reality.

e. AVAILABLE CORE TEAM ROLES
The Vox Core Team consists of some of the most eclectic, creative, and diverse individuals that can be found in the ever-increasing melting pot of Houston.
core team
The group make-up showcases every segment of Houston society, whether it is in terms of race and ethnicity or religious and political views. While the Core Team consists of individuals operating on a 100% volunteer basis, it is important to note that each individual is a passionate catalyst seeking to find ways to volunteer in a team setting to change the world for the better using creative methods via the arts. Volunteer hours range any where from 1-5 hours per week. The current roles we have available include:

(1) Videographer
(2) Audio-Visual Specialist
(3) Education Coordinator
(4) Legal Specialist
(5) Web Design Specialist


Note that all these positions can be used in your resume as part of our professional development building iniative. For more details as to what the roles entail, please send a message to linda.fox@voxculture.org.


Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Thursday
Jul312014

Spotlight: Vox Research & Development Coordinator

Introducing William Abila, Vox Culture's Research & Development Coordinator! William plays a key role in the internal development of Vox and is responsible for the educational blog pieces that appear on the Vox website and our social media outlets. His writing gives both a clearer context and a deeper understanding as to why the social issues that we focus on are important and how they impact Houston. Be on the look out for some great reads written by William, and have your minds opened!


I am an offshore facilities designer -I design offshore oil platforms - with a passion for history, literature, poetry, and art. I also enjoy dancing; I used to instruct in salsa and currently dance competitively -with my girlfriend- to country music. I am very eclectic and eccentric because by day you may find me riding around on my longboard in skater clothes and dancing by night in my cowboy hat and jeans at my favorite country bar.

What is your favorite ice cream? My favorite ice cream is pistachio froyo.

Why is it important for people to be informed? I believe that the community should be informed of the issues that are affecting all those around us. I've always said be prepared for any situation, and prevention not reaction is my motto. Do not wait for life to knock you down be prepared to stay on your feet and move out of the way.

If there is one thing that you could change about the world, for the better what would it be? The one thing I would change about the world is to make college, at least undergraduate status, a part of public education and government funded. I believe an educated mind is a mind less likely to be involved in criminal activity and more likely to benefit the world -and in doing so make the American dream not just a cliche but an attainable reality.

Thursday
Jul312014

July Newsletter:V+LAM featuring Houston's artists!

a. 8/26 Vox Local Arts Mixer (V+LAM) 
b. Join the Core Team!
c. Support Vox!


As Vox Culture roles out of its summer break and continue with its Proclaiming Humanity series, we start off with a big celebration highlighting some of Houston's amazing artists, and showing our community the wonderful talent this city has!
==

a. 8/26 VOX LOCAL ARTS MIXER (V+LAM)
Vox Culture proudly hosts V+LAM - Vox Local Arts Mixer! This event will feature some of the trending and up and coming artists in the city!

This fun and diverse arts mixer will take place at Blackfinn American Grille on Tuesday, August 26 from 6:00PM-8:00PM and will be used to bridge the gap between local artists and the greater Houston Community. Art realms featured at this event include: poetry, film, photography, dance, jewelry, and different forms of painting.

Come for our complimentary lite bites provided by Blackfinn American Grille, great music, and amazing local art!

$10.00 Entry Fee includes: 1 FREE drink ticket & 1 FREE raffle ticket! 
RSVP is required!
You may RSVP via Eventbrite and select either of two options for tickets - 'Ticket A' or 'Ticket B'.

Select 'Ticket A' on the Eventbrite link to pay the entry fee online and check-in at the door by providing your name.

Select 'Ticket B' on the Eventbrite link to pay the entry fee at the door (you must show your ticket at the door as well). 

Roster of Houston-Based Artists to be showcased (alphabetical order):

Amir Safi: www.miccheckpoetry.org 

Angel Quesada: www.angelquesada.com 

Brilliart Films: www.brilliart.com 

Gonzo247: http://www.aerosolwarfare.com/ 

Monique Weston: www.moniqueweston.com 

Nicky Davis: www.nickydavis.com 

T.K. Ahn: www.tkahnstudio.com

TX Salsa Congress: www.txsalsacongress.com 

Wind Photography: www.facebook.com/WindPhotography
 

(Note: Mural image on flyer by Gonzo247)

For further inquiries, please send a message to renia.butler@voxculture.org.

 

b. JOIN THE CORE TEAM!
Want to be a catalyst? Would you like to leave an imprint on the city and make a difference? Then join the Core Team! The Core Team is made up of dedicated everyday young professionals (ranging from lawyers to engineers, bankers to educators, business owners to yoga instructors, and more) who are seeking to make a difference in this city and the world using creative ideas or talents as their tool. Each member takes on a vital role within the team, and together as a family, help shape and run the organization. Here are our current openings for Core Team positions:

  • Media Coordinator - Assist with contacting media outlets to help promote/support/sponsor events. Be a liason between and work together with Marketing Coordinator, Communications Coordinator, and Social Media Voice to spread the word about Vox. Assist with social media updates/posts.
  • Grants Coordinator - Coordinate and oversee the application for grants. Identify potential new funding sources, development funding resources for existing and proposed programs and/or services. Write grants, monitor and coordinate required report evaluations on existing grants.

c. SUPPORT VOX!
Do you like the changes happening at Vox? How about the events we have had so far this year, or in the past, or what lies ahead in the near future?

Well, we want you to keep coming to our events and spreading the word about Vox! More importantly, with the growth that has been taking place at Vox, we have been looking at creating stronger bonds with our donors while also creating fruitful partnerships with local businesses. Help Vox continue to get bigger, better, and even stronger!

If you are interested in making a donation to Vox whether as an individual, or through corporate-matching; or if you are a business owner and would be interested in learning more about becoming a community partner/supporter, please send your inquiries to ted.law@voxculture.org.


See you at our mixer! 

Thursday
Jul172014

Vox Local Arts Mixer (V+LAM)

Vox Culture proudly hosts V+LAM - Vox Local Arts Mixer!

This fun and diverse arts mixer will take place at Blackfinn American Grille on Tuesday, August 26 from 6:00PM-8:00PM and will be used to bridge the gap between local artists and the greater Houston Community. Art realms featured at this event include: poetry, film, photography, dance, jewelry, and different forms of painting.

Come for our complimentary lite bites provided by Blackfinn American Grille, great music, and amazing local art!

$10.00 Entry Fee includes: 1 FREE drink ticket & 1 FREE raffle ticket! 
RSVP is required!

You may RSVP via Eventbrite and select either of two options for tickets - 'Ticket A' or 'Ticket B'.

Select 'Ticket A' on the Eventbrite link to pay the entry fee online and check-in at the door by providing your name.

Select 'Ticket B' on the Eventbrite link to pay the entry fee at the door (you must show your ticket at the door as well). 

Roster of Houston-Based Artists to be showcased (alphabetical order):

Amir Safi: www.miccheckpoetry.org 

Angel Quesada: www.angelquesada.com 

Brilliart Films: www.brilliart.com 

Gonzo247: http://www.aerosolwarfare.com/ 

Monique Weston: www.moniqueweston.com 

Nicky Davis: www.nickydavis.com 

T.K. Ahn: www.tkahnstudio.com

TX Salsa Congress: www.txsalsacongress.com 

Wind Photography: www.facebook.com/WindPhotography
 

(Note: Mural image on flyer by Gonzo247)

For further inquiries, please send a message to renia.butler@voxculture.org.