Compassionate Houston is a volunteer-led nonprofit dedicated to fostering empathy, unity, and social connection across Houston’s diverse communities. Founded in 2011 and inspired by the global Charter for Compassion, the organization promotes compassion as a practical tool for individual well-being and civic renewal. Through programs in education, the arts, mindfulness, and community service, they invite Houstonians to live compassionately in public and private life.

MENTOR is the national voice of the youth mentoring movement. For over three decades, they’ve worked to close the mentoring gap by fueling quality, accessible mentoring relationships for young people across the U.S. MENTOR believes all youth should have access to the support and guidance that caring relationships provide—especially those facing systemic barriers.

Results for America helps governments at all levels—federal, state, and local—make better decisions and get better results by using evidence and data. Since 2012, they've been building a movement around the idea that public dollars should go to programs that are proven to work. Their team includes former policymakers, data scientists, and civic innovators who offer practical tools and training to embed outcomes-based thinking into government systems.

The Emergent Strategy Ideation Institute (ESII), founded by adrienne maree brown, is more than an organization — it’s a practice space. A gathering place. A movement builder.

One Houston is a coalition of community members, schools, faith institutions, and nonprofit partners working to build civic power for social justice across the Greater Houston area. Through grassroots organizing and leadership development, One Houston empowers everyday people to take action on issues that directly affect their lives—from education equity and housing to voter access and public safety.

As one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in the United States, Greater Houston has added over 1.5 million new residents since 2010. The 2025 Kinder Houston Area Survey captures the voices of nearly 10,000 individuals across Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties — offering a revealing look into what residents love about Houston and the barriers that threaten its future success.

The Center for Story-based Strategy (CSS) is a national movement-building organization that uses narrative as a tool for change. Rooted in the belief that stories frame what is politically possible, CSS supports grassroots organizers and frontline communities to identify, disrupt, and replace dominant cultural narratives with ones that reflect justice, dignity, and collective power.

PEN America works across lines of difference to protect our shared civic space. At a time when education, libraries, and public platforms are increasingly politicized, they provide critical tools to resist censorship, protect artistic freedom, and affirm that a healthy democracy requires a diversity of stories and storytellers. Their work supports radical belonging by ensuring marginalized voices are not erased or silenced.

Good Good Good offers more than a break from the bad news—it’s a compass for building civic resilience. Their radical transparency, editorial integrity, and community-first values create a roadmap for how media can heal rather than harm.

Leadership Houston is one of the city’s premier civic leadership programs, dedicated to educating and connecting leaders who are passionate about making a difference. Since 1982, it has brought together professionals from every sector to explore Houston’s most pressing issues, engage with decision-makers, and build lasting relationships across industries and ideologies. The goal? To create a more informed, inspired, and civically active Houston.

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit think tank and leadership organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute convenes leaders across sectors to tackle the world’s most complex challenges through dialogue, research, and action. With a strong belief in values-based leadership, the Aspen Institute creates space for bold ideas, civil discourse, and meaningful impact.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., with locations across the U.S. and abroad, Aspen serves as a neutral ground where changemakers collaborate on solutions across lines of difference.

Ben McBride’s Troubling the Water is both a personal testimony and a public call to action—a deeply spiritual, emotionally honest, and politically relevant work that challenges the reader to live differently.

ALF Houston, the Houston/Gulf Coast chapter of the American Leadership Forum, brings together diverse leaders across sectors to build deeper trust, engage in courageous conversations, and lead collaborative change in the region. Their mission is to join and strengthen diverse leaders to serve the common good—transforming individual leadership journeys into a network of collective impact.

Webinar: 2025 State of Housing in Harris County and Houston
Tuesday, June 17, 10-11 a.m. | Presenting Sponsor: Wells Fargo 

Explore the latest findings from this year's State of Housing report, which will focus on long-term affordability challenges associated with disaster recovery and resilience. A panel discussion with experts James Elliott (Rice University), Elaine Morales-Díaz (Connective) and Jeremy Porter (First Street) will follow. 

The Chamber of Connection is a nonpartisan initiative working to transform the culture of politics by strengthening human relationships among elected leaders. With a focus on curiosity, connection, and collaboration, the Chamber brings together state legislators—across party lines—to build trust, reduce polarization, and develop the skills needed to govern with integrity and empathy.