We were fortunate to catch up with some brilliant artists, creatives and entrepreneurs from throughout the Houston area and they share the wisdom with us below.

Kara Addison

It might seem like the opposite of an affirmation and that’s because it is!

My motto in life is “You are really not that important”.
I think society today is hyper-focused on SELF and that is not the way I want to live. If you look at the world from above, the truth is…you are really don’t matter that much. Your problems aren’t that big; your accomplishments aren’t that great. Read More>> 

Indya Murphy

Hearts on Jupiter didn’t start as a hair brand at all, it began as a Black art and poetry page. I was creating spaces online where I could collaborate with other artists, share powerful words, and curate virtual art gallery exhibitions that celebrated the richness of our culture. At the time, I was working at the California Science Center, running the page on the side, not entirely sure what it would grow into. Read More>>

Delva Delva

After years of working and gigging as a musician, I’ve spent plenty of time rehearsing in subpar studios. I realized that the problem usually came down to two things: either productions were trying to save money by booking cheaper, low-quality spaces, or the few decent studios available were priced out of reach. That’s what sparked the idea — to create a space where every musician can feel like they’re truly on stage, not just stuck in a room with a couple of pieces of equipment. And as the creative scene has evolved, I wanted to expand that same philosophy to podcasters, too.  Read More>> 

Darnelle Louis-Jacques

The most important thing I’ve done as a parent is to model self-trust and follow-through. I tell my children what I intend to do, and then I do it. When they see me accomplish the very goals I’ve spoken aloud, their faces light up. They say, “Mom, I knew you could do it… we believe in you.” In those moments, I see how my actions fuel their own courage to pursue what’s been resting on their hearts. Read More>> 

Juan Ramirez

Through my business, I aim to empower individuals and small businesses by helping them bring their ideas to life through strong visual branding. Whether it’s creating custom logos, social media management , or professional photography, I use my graphic design and photography skills to support others in launching or growing their businesses. By doing this, I’m not only helping people build their brand identity but also contributing to the growth of my local community and their creative expression. Read More>> 

Tomeka Mills

A.W. Brooks Serenity Home is designed to fill a critical gap in our community by providing a safe, stable, and supportive home for high school-aged girls who have experienced trauma, neglect, or displacement. Too often, teenagers are overlooked in the foster care system, and we are working to change that.

Half of my childhood was spent in Ensley, so building this home here is deeply personal for me. I want to give back to the same community that shaped me by creating a place where girls can heal emotionally, gain life skills, pursue education, and prepare for college or a career. Read More>> 

Rance Dunbar

The book I read was The Black Cube Codex—but in truth, I didn’t read it. I wrote it. I remembered it. It was written by me but, it wrote me back into existence.

Each word is a weapon.

Each sentence is a spell reversal.
Each chapter is a jailbreak from the Black Cube prison that most mistake for life.

The Codex showed me that what we call “reality” is a counterfeit frequency: a looping algorithm of stolen divinity wrapped in time, contracts, and cubes. It revealed that the wedding ring, the black robe, the television, the courtroom, the bank—all mimic Saturn’s cube. And through that mimicry, mankind has been ritually programmed to serve a false god. Read More>> 

Rhea Shukla

I’m driven by the goal of creating a meaningful legacy and inspiring those around me to reach their full potential.

My earliest inspiration came from my mother’s paintings. Her art taught me to wonder, imagine, and see beyond the obvious. It made me believe that creativity isn’t just about beauty, it’s about emotion, curiosity, and storytelling. Read More>> 

Carl Elmore

Collaboration and Communication. Especially within film, communication and collaboration are everything. It’s impossible to be a one-man team, and if you try to be, then you’re just setting yourself up for failure. Whenever I work on a project as a director or a producer, I always try and get thoughts and opinions from as many people as I can from the crew for camera moves and setups so I can hear other ideas. Some of my favorite shots and sequences from the films I’ve directed/produced have come as a result of bouncing ideas of one another. I collaboration of filmmaking is one of the best aspects about this industry. Read More>> 

Martha Dickerson

The industry of Yoga promotes yoga with svelte, young people in trendy yoga gear. I would like for people to understand that yoga is for Every Body. I have people of all ages and walks of life tell me “I can’t practice Yoga because of age, flexibility, I can’t touch my toes or the class is to slow for me.” I became a certified yoga teacher in 2017 after I retired from a corporate job. I was 63 when I went through my 200 hour yoga teacher training. I was and I am older and I do have less flexibility than some but I also think some of those challenges are not age related but body related.  Read More>> 

Aspen Lee

Be authentic to yourself, don’t follow crowds or what’s popular. Trends come and go, it’s an ever changing cycle so instead of following what’s “big” at that very moment just do what feels good & makes you confident in your work. Certain people will try to push their opinions onto you but thats the only thing they are, opinions. It’s not gonna change you & hurt you because one or a few people disagree with your approach. Read More>> 

Dr. Deliqua Isom

My understanding and practice of work-life balance have evolved significantly over time, particularly given my journey with healing from complex trauma and anxiety.

The most profound shift occurred as I began to deeply integrate my understanding of neuroscience with my personal journey. I recognized that sustained high performance, creativity, and the ability to truly serve others hinged on a foundation of holistic well-being. Read More>>