Art of Conversation

Art of Conversation luncheon generates lots of smart talk with Houston notables

What: City ArtWorks presents The Art of Conversation.

Where: Junior League of Houston.

The scoop: More than 30 influencers with a gift of gab anchored each table at the annual fundraiser that benefits City ArtWorks, a nonprofit organization that raises funds to support art education in Houston schools. "Today this room is going to be filled with the sound of great conversation made possible by these dynamic, funny, interesting and wise people," ABC13 news anchor Gina Gaston said in welcoming the crowd. "Did I miss any attribute? (An audience members shouted out, 'Crazy.') And crazy, that's a good one."

Indeed the room filled with more than 250 guests was abuzz with conversation generated from such table talkers as former Houston Ballet principal dancer Lauren Anderson, accessories designer Elaine Turner, ice sculptor Reverend Butter, famed cosmetic surgeon Dr. Steve Hamilton, Houston Chronicle columnist Lisa Falkenberg, interior designer Kelly Amen, Fox26 Morning News anchor Rita Garcia, Crime Stoppers executive director Rania Mankarious, investment adviser Eddie Allen, Rice University sociologist Stephen Klineberg, Neiman Marcus general manager Bob Devlin, and yours truly.

Before the conversations began in earnest, arts patron Sybil Roos was honored for her many contributors to Houston's cultural scene.

Who: Seen in the crowd were event co-chairs Deborah Colton and Staci Henderson, Beth Wolff, Patsy Andrews, Sharon Brier, Cynthia Mills, Lisa Powers, Farida Abjani, Sandra Porter, Stacey Swift, Karina Barbieri, Chau Nguyen, Shelly Ann Marks, Olga Bush, Denise Bush Bahr, and Gabe Canales.

Art of Conversation luncheon co-chairs Staci Henderson, Deborah Colton.

Co-chair Stacey Henderson and Deborah Colton at Art of Conversation

Photo by Kim Coffman

Art of Conversation luncheon co-chairs Staci Henderson, Deborah Colton.

fundraisers

Human First

Building a Dream Luncheon unites Houstonians for housing equity

Habitat for Humanity Dream luncheon 2025

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lauren Biar, Catherine Honan, Skyler Iliff, and Amy McGarth.

Houston Habitat for Humanity raised spirits—and essential support—at its annual Building a Dream Luncheon on October 14, gathering more than 360 civic leaders and community advocates at The Post Oak Hotel for a midday celebration of purpose and progress.

Guests mingled over brunch and bubbly as the nonprofit spotlighted its mission to expand affordable homeownership in Houston. This year’s honoree, Joel Deretchin, received the 2025 Carl Umland Award for six decades of transformative work bringing affordable housing to underserved communities across the country, including his hometown.

The program’s emotional core came courtesy of Adrienne Goolsby, senior vice president for Habitat for Humanity International, who delivered a keynote on the growing urgency of the housing crisis. Noting the national shortage of entry-level homes, Goolsby called on local partners to step up, and praised Houston Habitat’s “gumption and ambition” for doing exactly that.

KPRC-TV2 anchor Danielle Guzman emceed the gathering, while luncheon co-chairs Crystal Allen, Chenee Franklin, and Paula Musa set the tone for a day filled with resilience and resolve. The event also featured moving remarks from Houston Habitat homeowners and longtime volunteers, whose personal stories brought the organization’s impact into focus.

In the house were Angela Blanchard, Susan Boggio, Gregg Hamson, Leela Krishnamurthy, Connie Kwan-Wong, Mike Nichols, Christie Obiaya, Paul-David Van Atta, Teresa Cox Reading, and Jerre Williams.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lauren Biar, Catherine Honan, Skyler Iliff, and Amy McGarth.

fundraisers habitat for humanity