The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read—a partnership with Arts Midwest—broadens our understanding of ourselves and our neighbors through the power of a shared reading experience. The goals of the NEA Big Read are to inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate a wide variety of voices and perspectives, and build stronger connections in each community.

Their Eyes Were Watching God
by Zora Neale Hurston

Houston, let’s read together! Alley Theatre’s NEA Big Read is a city-wide exploration of Their Eyes Were Watching God, the iconic 1937 novel by Zora Neale Hurston. Rooted in the power of storytelling, this program uses Hurston’s work as a lens to engage Black communities around themes of resilience, self-discovery, empowerment, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Throughout February and March, the Alley will collaborate with partners across Houston to host events that amplify Black voices and experiences through literature, art, and community dialogue. Artists will guide participants to explore the challenges, triumphs, and rich history of Houston’s Black community. Click here to explore their calendar of workshops, discussions, and events that celebrate Houston’s legacy, and future as a vibrant cultural hub.

 Join Me for an Inspiring Event! 

I’m excited to facilitate an interactive workshop at the International Women's Day Celebration hosted by @amplifywomenofcolor! We’re gathering to celebrate, learn, and activate - because change doesn’t happen by chance, it happens by bold action!

Let’s show up, connect, and activate impact together. Will you be there?

 Register here: https://lu.ma/6rjkfm91

TOPDOG/UNDERDOG

By Suzan-Lori Parks, Directed by Aaron Brown
Associate Show Producer: The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts
February 14 - March 15, 2025 **Extended due to popular demand
Winner of the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Winner of the 2023 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play

A darkly comic fable of brotherly love and family identity is Suzan-Lori Parks' riff on the way we are defined by history. The play tells the story of Lincoln and Booth, two brothers whose names were given to them as a joke, foretelling a lifetime of sibling rivalry and resentment. Haunted by the past, the brothers are forced to confront the shattering reality of their future.

Join Tracie Jae for an audience talkback following the performance on Sunday, March 2nd.

Use code: TRACIE20 to save 20% on your tickets. There are only a few remaining seats for the 2nd.

Located inside Spring Street Studios

Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring Street, Studio 101, Houston TX 77007

4th Wall Theatre Company is part of the Sawyer Yards Creative Campus in the heart of Houston’s historic First Ward and Arts District Houston. Our building, Spring Street Studios, houses 75 mixed-use workspaces and a public gallery. 4th Wall is located on the first floor of the building in the southeast corner in Studio #101.

Free Parking

Free parking is available in three lots surrounding the Spring Street Studios building as shown on the map and as depicted in the welcome video. *If you require an accessible, ramped entry to the building, make sure to use the back parking lot (blue on map) and enter through the back door to the building.

We put out a call for co-conspirators to help us share the More HUMAN Approach Framework and Just Us Therapy & Practice responded to the call. They believe that healing happens in spaces rooted in authenticity, connection, and cultural humility.

We invite you to join us for a conversation about what it means to create therapeutic spaces that honor the fullness of our humanity.

Virtual Lunch & Learn: A Conversation on A More HUMAN Approach to Therapy
Date: February 28, 2025
Time: 12:30 - 1:45 PM CST
Facilitator: Tracie Jae, Coach & Consultant, aka "The Quiet Rebel"

This session will explore the limitations of WEIRD-centric (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) therapy models and guide us toward practices that center inclusivity, relational healing, and accessibility. Together, we will:

-Examine how dominant therapy frameworks shape client experiences.
-Learn core principles of the HUMAN approach and how to integrate them into your practice.
-Engage in discussions about cultural humility and creating meaningful connection.

Whether you’re a therapist, counselor, social worker, or mental health advocate, this workshop is designed to support you in cultivating more responsive, inclusive, and connected spaces for the people you serve.

Registration Details:
We invite you to contribute at a level that feels accessible to you:

$11 Students
$33 Standard
$66 Pay It Forward

Tracie Jae is pleased to join other Houston Storytellers in sharing her love story as part of HTX Storytellers - Love and Heartbreak.

Tickets are available through Eventbrite.

Have you ever wondered if the stories we grew up with still hold lessons for us today? Fables have been with us for centuries, offering wisdom wrapped in tales of animals and adventures. But what if there's more to discover? This February, dive into Alisa Magallon’s enchanting new book, Fables Told in Rhyme and explore timeless tales with fresh eyes.

Join us Fridays - February 7, 14, 21, and 28 at 7:30 PM Central.

Let's uncover the hidden truths and new perspectives these familiar fables can offer

Click the Join Us Button below to register and for details on securing a copy of Fables Told in Rhyme.

Lighting the Path - A Path to AntiRacism in the EDOT

Not all endings are the end of the story . . .

Why: We’re entering a new year and may need a new approach

Goals: Connection * Discussion * Perspective * Reframe * Understanding * Action

Dates: Wednesdays, January 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2025 - 7:30pm Central

Questions to Consider:

• What does it mean to be more human?

• Is goodness the opposite of evil?

• How do we maintain our presence when someone else labels us evil?

• How do our stories shape us?

• Who bears the responsibility of understanding and explaining the backstory?

Are you a paid subscriber to The Quiet Rebel Patreon Community? If so, you’ll automatically receive registration information for each Stories the Shape Us offering in 2025.

Not a subscriber? Register here.

Lighting the Path - A Path to AntiRacism in the EDOT

Not all endings are the end of the story . . .

Why: We’re entering a new year and may need a new approach

Goals: Connection * Discussion * Perspective * Reframe * Understanding * Action

Dates: Wednesdays, January 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2025 - 7:30pm Central

Questions to Consider:

• What does it mean to be more human?

• Is goodness the opposite of evil?

• How do we maintain our presence when someone else labels us evil?

• How do our stories shape us?

• Who bears the responsibility of understanding and explaining the backstory?

Are you a paid subscriber to The Quiet Rebel Patreon Community? If so, you’ll automatically receive registration information for each Stories the Shape Us offering in 2025.

Not a subscriber? Register here.

Not all endings are the end of the story . . .

Why: We’re entering a new year and may need a new approach

Goals: Connection * Discussion * Perspective * Reframe * Understanding * Action

Dates: Wednesdays, January 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2025 - 7:30pm Central

Questions to Consider:

• What does it mean to be more human?

• Is goodness the opposite of evil?

• How do we maintain our presence when someone else labels us evil?

• How do our stories shape us?

• Who bears the responsibility of understanding and explaining the backstory?

Are you a paid subscriber to The Quiet Rebel Patreon Community? If so, you’ll automatically receive registration information for each Stories the Shape Us offering in 2025.

Not a subscriber? Register here.

Not all endings are the end of the story . . .

Why: We’re entering a new year and may need a new approach

Goals: Connection * Discussion * Perspective * Reframe * Understanding * Action

Dates: Wednesdays, January 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2025 - 7:30pm Central

Questions to Consider:

• What does it mean to be more human?

• Is goodness the opposite of evil?

• How do we maintain our presence when someone else labels us evil?

• How do our stories shape us?

• Who bears the responsibility of understanding and explaining the backstory?

Are you a paid subscriber to The Quiet Rebel Patreon Community? If so, you’ll automatically receive registration information for each Stories the Shape Us offering in 2025.

Not a subscriber? Register for Wicked-ish Wednesdays here.

A More HUMAN Approach™ supports individuals and organizations in making people-first decisions which are Honest, Urgent, Meaningful, Accountable and Nuanced.

Join us on December 3, 2024 at 3pm CDT for an interactive workshop where you can:

1. learn more about the framework

2. get hands on practice

3. ask questions about relevance within your context

This workshop is for you if:

• you are looking for a practical strategy for putting people first

• you want to create a workplace culture where your team feels safe, seen and welcome

• like me, you want people who love what they do to love where they do it

I hope you will join us.

RUNTIME: 30 MINUTES

Our votes hold power, otherwise they wouldn’t subvert them. Brave New Films’ ‘SUPPRESSED AND SABOTAGED 2024: The Fight to Vote’ is a tool in the arsenal of every concerned American, sounding the alarm on voter suppression and election subversion ahead of November 2024. Our 30-minute documentary film focuses on the swelling wave of efforts to disenfranchise voters across the U.S., with the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race between Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp providing a case study for understanding today’s restrictive measures. In 2023 alone, 150 bills were introduced to restrict voting access.

SUPPRESSED AND SABOTAGED includes the personal stories of folks in battleground states who represent those disproportionately affected by voter suppression: older adults, first-time, younger and college-aged students, Black, Indigenous, Latine, people of color, and people with disabilities. SUPPRESSED AND SABOTAGED 2024 is a rallying call against the calculated, unconstitutional, and racist attacks intended to destroy democracy in the United States.

We have reached the final section for our ongoing conversation - Our Old House.

Over the next few weeks, we will read and discuss The United States Constitution. Join us.

• Week 1 - Preamble + Articles I - VII

• Week 2 - Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10)

• Week 3 - Amendments 11-19

• Week 4 - Amendments 20-27

We have reached the final section for our ongoing conversation - Our Old House.

Over the next few weeks, we will read and discuss The United States Constitution. Join us.

• Week 1 - Preamble + Articles I - VII

• Week 2 - Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10)

• Week 3 - Amendments 11-19

• Week 4 - Amendments 20-27

We have reached the final section for our ongoing conversation - Our Old House.

Over the next few weeks, we will read and discuss The United States Constitution. Join us.

• Week 1 - Preamble + Articles I - VII

• Week 2 - Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10)

• Week 3 - Amendments 11-19

• Week 4 - Amendments 20-27

We are excited to join the Impact Hub Houston in an ongoing Films for Thought - facilitated film discussion session.

Due to the inclement weather, this event was rescheduled to June 4th.

This month we feature the film Moonlight.

Moonlight is a 2016 American coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Barry Jenkins, based on Tarell Alvin McCraney's unpublished semi-autobiographical play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue. It stars Trevante Rhodes, Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Ashton Sanders, Jharrel Jerome, Janelle Monáe, and André Holland.

The film presents three stages in the life of the main character: his childhood, adolescence, and early adult life. It explores the difficulties he faces with his sexuality and identity, including the physical and emotional abuse he endures growing up.[4

We are excited to add Walter Hull as this month’s conversation moderator.

In Section Two of Our Old House, we are concentrating on the Eight Pillars of Caste which are outlined in Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.

Reading the book is helpful, but not required. We’ll use her concepts as anchors for our discussion.

These weekly offerings are available on Wednesdays.
11:30 am - 12:45pm in person in Houston
6:30 pm - 7:45pm online via Zoom

Details are available upon registration.

Section 2 Schedule

• Week 1 - Intro to Caste + Divine Will & the Laws of Nature

• Week 2 - Heritability + Endogamy

• Week 3 - Purity v Pollution + Occupational Hierarchy

• Week 4 - Dehumanization & Stigma

• Week 5 - Terror + Superiority & Inferiority

These gatherings are offered at a ‘pay what you can’ rate - with a suggested rate of $11 / week.

In Section Two of Our Old House, we are concentrating on the Eight Pillars of Caste which are outlined in Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.

Reading the book is helpful, but not required. We’ll use her concepts as anchors for our discussion.

These weekly offerings are available on Wednesdays.
11:30 am - 12:45pm in person in Houston
6:30 pm - 7:45pm online via Zoom

Details are available upon registration.

Section 2 Schedule

• Week 1 - Intro to Caste + Divine Will & the Laws of Nature

• Week 2 - Heritability + Endogamy

• Week 3 - Purity v Pollution + Occupational Hierarchy

• Week 4 - Dehumanization & Stigma

• Week 5 - Terror + Superiority & Inferiority

These gatherings are offered at a ‘pay what you can’ rate - with a suggested rate of $11 / week.

In Section Two of Our Old House, we are concentrating on the Eight Pillars of Caste which are outlined in Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.

Reading the book is helpful, but not required. We’ll use her concepts as anchors for our discussion.

These weekly offerings are available on Wednesdays.
11:30 am - 12:45pm in person in Houston
6:30 pm - 7:45pm online via Zoom

Details are available upon registration.

Section 2 Schedule

• Week 1 - Intro to Caste + Divine Will & the Laws of Nature

• Week 2 - Heritability + Endogamy

• Week 3 - Purity v Pollution + Occupational Hierarchy

• Week 4 - Dehumanization & Stigma

• Week 5 - Terror + Superiority & Inferiority

These gatherings are offered at a ‘pay what you can’ rate - with a suggested rate of $11 / week.

In Section Two of Our Old House, we are concentrating on the Eight Pillars of Caste which are outlined in Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.

Reading the book is helpful, but not required. We’ll use her concepts as anchors for our discussion.

These weekly offerings are available on Wednesdays.
11:30 am - 12:45pm in person in Houston
6:30 pm - 7:45pm online via Zoom

Details are available upon registration.

Section 2 Schedule

• Week 1 - Intro to Caste + Divine Will & the Laws of Nature

• Week 2 - Heritability + Endogamy

• Week 3 - Purity v Pollution + Occupational Hierarchy

• Week 4 - Dehumanization & Stigma

• Week 5 - Terror + Superiority & Inferiority

These gatherings are offered at a ‘pay what you can’ rate - with a suggested rate of $11 / week.

In Section Two of Our Old House, we are concentrating on the Eight Pillars of Caste which are outlined in Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.

Reading the book is helpful, but not required. We’ll use her concepts as anchors for our discussion.

These weekly offerings are available on Wednesdays.
11:30 am - 12:45pm in person in Houston
6:30 pm - 7:45pm online via Zoom

Details are available upon registration.

Section 2 Schedule

• Week 1 - Intro to Caste + Divine Will & the Laws of Nature

• Week 2 - Heritability + Endogamy

• Week 3 - Purity v Pollution + Occupational Hierarchy

• Week 4 - Dehumanization & Stigma

• Week 5 - Terror + Superiority & Inferiority

These gatherings are offered at a ‘pay what you can’ rate - with a suggested rate of $11 / week.

In Section Two of Our Old House, we are concentrating on the Eight Pillars of Caste which are outlined in Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.

Reading the book is helpful, but not required. We’ll use her concepts as anchors for our discussion.

These weekly offerings are available on Wednesdays.
11:30 am - 12:45pm in person in Houston
6:30 pm - 7:45pm online via Zoom

Details are available upon registration.

Section 2 Schedule

• Week 1 - Intro to Caste + Divine Will & the Laws of Nature

• Week 2 - Heritability + Endogamy

• Week 3 - Purity v Pollution + Occupational Hierarchy

• Week 4 - Dehumanization & Stigma

• Week 5 - Terror + Superiority & Inferiority

These gatherings are offered at a ‘pay what you can’ rate - with a suggested rate of $11 / week.

Girls Empowerment Network’s Radiant G Conferences are statewide, multi-city events designed especially for thousands of girls* in grades 3-8 and the people who care about them. With a community building opening rally, an empowering dance party, and dynamic break-out sessions delivered both by our organization and our network of subject matter experts, girls get to be totally in charge of their day. They walk away inspired by what’s possible and with a new belief in their personal power. 

Since 2008, Girls Empowerment Network has produced statewide, multi-city conferences with the goal of delivering our self-efficacy building curriculum to a vast number of girls at once. These empowering conferences create a space for thousands of 3rd - 8th grade girls to come together, be inspired, and walk away with a new belief in their personal power.

Formerly known as the ‘We Are Girls Conference’, and ‘Girls Now’ in the past, the return of our signature event marks an exciting moment at Girls Empowerment Network. It stands as a vital opportunity for girls who currently don't have access to our in-school programs to experience our transformative curriculum and discover their inner power!

This year, I’ve signed on to the Conference Planning Committee and would love to invite you to:

• Register girls for the conference

• Donate to help sponsor participants

• Volunteer - the conference specifically needs more “room attendants”

I am also excited to share a workshop for Adult Conference Attendee called LOVE and Bubbles.

In Section Two of Our Old House, we are concentrating on the Eight Pillars of Caste which are outlined in Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.

Reading the book is helpful, but not required. We’ll use her concepts as anchors for our discussion.

These weekly offerings are available on Wednesdays.
11:30 am - 12:45pm in person in Houston
6:30 pm - 7:45pm online via Zoom

Details are available upon registration.

Section 2 Schedule

• Week 1 - Intro to Caste + Divine Will & the Laws of Nature

• Week 2 - Heritability + Endogamy

• Week 3 - Purity v Pollution + Occupational Hierarchy

• Week 4 - Dehumanization & Stigma

• Week 5 - Terror + Superiority & Inferiority

These gatherings are offered at a ‘pay what you can’ rate - with a suggested rate of $11 / week.