GRAND SLAM GATHERING

Astros wives assist at record-breaking fundraiser for Houston nonprofit

Union Station was a sea of pink and red on April 16 during the Girls Inc of Greater Houston A League of Their Own luncheon. Longtime supporters of the girl empowerment organization, Kat Pressly and her mother, Sue Rogers, were chairs of the sold-out affair.

Many Astros' wives and girlfriends, including Samantha Tucker, Reagan Bregman, Kara McCullers, Maria Hader, Lindsey Kessinger, Pam Espada, and Alexandra Rich, showed up in a big way to support one of their own. Their presence, along with famed Astros pitcher and husband to Kat, Ryan Pressly, helped hit a home run with a record-breaking day that included raising over $400,000 to benefit Girls Inc of Greater Houston (GIGH).

Astros sideline reporter Julia Morales emceed the afternoon's event and brought several key individuals up to the stage for recognition, including luncheon honoree Paula Harris, executive director of the Astros Foundation, and Corporate Champion award-winner Worley. The inaugural Melanie Gray Vanguard Award was given to Melissa Cook, LPC-S, who spoke to the crowd about her struggles with mental illness and the need to have more open conversations surrounding the topic and recovery. She also noted that teen girls need more support than ever because of the pressures around social media.

GIGH helps build safe spaces and foster long-term mentoring relationships for the girls they serve. They help to develop their strengths, learn lasting skills, and take charge of their futures. President and CEO Treopia Cannon gave heartfelt remarks on the mission of the organization and scholarship recipient, Zori Ozor, a junior in high school, spoke passionately about the impact Girls Inc has had on her life and her vision for the future.

Johnny Bravo took to the stage for a whirlwind five-minute appeal to boost the event's revenue. Bravo's efforts, silent auction items, and a stunning ring donated by Shaftel Diamonds helped push numbers higher than ever.

Notable attendees included Lance McCullers Jr., Grae Kessinger, Fady Armanious, Anita Sehgal, Shelli Lindley, Dana Barton, Lara Bell, Lisa Helfman, Twila Carter, Marian Harper, Mark Wawro, Laura and Juan Perez, Charles Rogers, Iris and Danny Shaftel, Jordan Seff, Cathy de la Mora, Daniella Hernandez, Chelsea Collmer, Kristen Collins, Chree Boydstun, Laurie Sanders, and Jeannie Garder.

Photo by Wilson Parish

Kara McCullers, Samantha Tucker, Pam Espada, Lindsey Kessinger, Kat Pressly, Reagan Bregman, and Alexandra Rich.

Interfaith Blessings

A brand new name sets the tone for Houston nonprofit's gala

Photo by Hung L. Truong

Henry Florsheim, Rep Gene Wu, Miya Shay, Charlene Chuang, Sheroo Mukhtiar, Nihala Zakaria, and Shaukat Zakaria.

The annual IM Houston Tapestry Gala, aptly themed "A Brand New Day," marked a bold new chapter for the organization formerly known as Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, now under the leadership of Sheroo Mukhtiar.

Rather than opening with fanfare, the night began with intentional calm: Mellow music courtesy of Divisi Strings, a gallery of art created by youth in the IM Houston Refugee Program, and a parked Meals on Wheels truck.

The organization's impact was made visible — up close and personal. Event chairs Miya Shay and Rep. Gene Wu and Nihala and Shaukat Zakaria had something to do with that.

Emcee Ernie Manouse of Houston Public Media guided the evening, inviting Sonya Vial of presenting sponsor Shell USA, Inc. to reflect on IM Houston's renewed mission. Then came a moment of unity both intimate and profound: children from Houston’s Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Baháʼí, and Buddhist communities offered interfaith blessings, closing together with a moving invocation.

A tribute to former Houston mayor Sylvester Turner honored his legacy with a reverent pause before the spotlight turned to powerhouse vocalist Christina Wells. Her version of “Hallelujah” stunned the room into silence, before IM Houston board chair Henry Florsheim and newly appointed Mukhtiar expressed gratitude and outlined a future focused on sustainability, compassion, and shared belief.

Wells returned with “A Million Dreams,” just ahead of the Spirit of Respect Award presented to the Right Reverend C. Andrew Doyle for his decades of faith-led service. Pipa virtuoso Changlu Wu debuted an original composition in honor of 2025 Tapestry Honoree Charlene Chuang, introduced by Dr. Kathy C. Flanagan.

More than 500 supporters attended the gala, helping to raise $650,000 to unite diverse faiths in service and understanding.

Showing up were Gerald Seidl, Phillip Berkowitz, Vitallii Tarasiuk, Astrid Marklund, Catarina Gonzalez, Susan Boggio, Nadia Tajalli, Shahin Tavackoli, Karen Labat, David Leebron and Sun Y. Ping, Gracie and Bob Cavnar, Gordan Quan, Lily and Charles Foster, Sandra Smith-Cooper, Brigitte Kalai, Farida Abjani, Doe and Henry Florsheim, Lisa Helfman and Lee Haverman, Susanne and Randall Evans, Kristyn and Francis Page Jr., Philamena Baird, Paula Sutton and Bill Gross, Ann and Ron Kaesermann, Mandy Kao, Christina Zhou, Terri Wang, Alice Mao, and Robert Sakowitz.

Photo by Hung L. Truong

Henry Florsheim, Rep Gene Wu, Miya Shay, Charlene Chuang, Sheroo Mukhtiar, Nihala Zakaria, and Shaukat Zakaria.