Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Ron Powers gave an emotional speech about his family’s struggles with mental illness at the Hope and Healing Center & Institute’s Chrysalis Award luncheon. … Career and Recovery Resources’ Barrier Breaker Award lunch, honoring Ed and Gwen Emmett and Philamena and Arthur Baird, raised more than $250K. … A lively Sunday brunch at the Four Seasons doubled as a fundraiser for the Great Age Movement, which promotes learning and socialization among seniors. Jazz performances and ballroom dancing dazzled the crowd of 200. … Designer David Peck and his wife chaired the Judy’s Mission Possible lunch at the Houstonian, raising funds for early-detection and ovarian cancer research at MD Anderson. … The Latin Women’s Initiative’s annual fashion show lunch was as festive as ever, featuring designs by Andrés Otálora — and tequila shots. … At River Oaks Country Club, the Mayor’s Literacy Breakfast honored the Houston Dynamo and Dash teams.
Thrive & Inspire: Alchemy’s Arquella Hargrove ‘Inspired by People Making an Impact in the World’
Arquella Hargrove, Chief Culture Officer and Owner of the Alchemy Consulting Group
WHAT IS THE secret to running a successful business? The secret to a successful business is a rockstar team. With a rockstar team, clients experience the transformation within their culture. This also is connected to other success factors — a commitment to relentless change, communicating courageously, and collaborating to win. The ultimate goal is to be the change for our clients and to create a culture where team members thrive and grow exponentially.
What’s unique about your approach or your mission? We call ourselves a “partner” for our clients. We work to transform one culture — one organization at a time. In doing this, we meet clients in their cultural-shift journey, however long it may take to accomplish the end goal or implementation. We use a team of collaborative partners to dive deep into the company’s culture and provide expertise in each area we serve — from diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, learning and development, strategic HR development, executive leadership coaching and more. Bottom line: Our client’s success is our success.
What’s special about your team/colleagues? They are magic, amazing, creative problem solvers, and I thoroughly enjoy the work they do, creating lasting impact for our clients for an organizational culture change. Each has different skill sets strategically placed with clients to provide risk assessment, strategic business development, and change solutions leaning into their curiosity, best practices, empathy, respect and authenticity.
Who or what inspires you as you seek to reach greater heights of success? I am constantly inspired by people making an impact in the world, and I love being an agent of change with, behind and beside them. Our mission is to build up corporations and individuals so that they can perform at peak levels and enjoy their work life and culture.
Breanna Blankenship, Nicholas Stuart, Zsavon Butler, Outspoken Bean
SUPPORTERS OF THE Houston Arts Alliance pulled inspiration from global art, fashion and culture for a spectacular gala at the Hobby Center. “The World’s Stage” gala, chaired by Zsavon Butler and Nicholas Stuart, raised $325,000 to benefit the Houston Arts Alliance’s public-art and artist resiliency initiatives.
A meaningful moment was when former Houston Poet Laureate Outspoken Bean honored longtime chef and food-writer Adán Medrano with a spoken-word performance. Works by other beloved local artists, like Jamal Cyrus and Vincent Valdez, adorned the walls, and music was provided by Breanna Blankenship and DJ Flash Gordon Parks.
The 350 guests also enjoyed a runway show featuring fall looks by Chloe Dao, modeled by icons like Lauren Anderson, and a spread prepared by Jackson & Company along with H-E-B. A nod to the global theme, the menu included Korean-style short ribs and Greek kourabiedes — washed down with French and Italian wine, of course. Cheers!
Ross Smith, Leigh Smith, Caroline Smith, Alecia Harris, Whitmire Vo, Owen Duffy
Casey Valverde, Tammy Dowe, Marco Martinez
David James, Judge Lina Hidalgo, Honoree Adan Medrano & Richard Jimenez
Rita Garcia, Sergio Selvera
George Farah & Michele Leal Farah, Nicholas & Zsavon Butler, Lauren Anderson & Chris Stanaway, John Abodeely & Edward Kachinske
Chloe Dao with her models
Michele Leal Farah
Lisa and Saul Valentin
Leigh Smith, John Abodeely, Lauren Anderson
Aerialist from J&D Entertainment
Joel Rottier, Council Member Mario Castillo, Rep. Christina Morales, Michele Leal Farah
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WITH HOLIDAY PARTIES and festive dinners galore this time of year, it’s officially Champagne season! Artisans is celebrating with a special bubbly dinner paired with sips from famous Champagne house Moet Chandon Winery on Thursday, November 14.
Chef Erik Cruz has worked with the winery to produce a decadent tasting menu to be paired with flutes of Moet & Chandon and Veuve. To start: there’s caviar — because what’s a champagne dinner without caviar? — and ceviche. The three main courses feature smoked tiger prawn, slow braised sweetbread and roasted lamb. All topped off with delectable chocolate mousse.
Chef Cruz has worked at storied Houston eateries Brennans of Houston and Hugo’s Café. Under Artisans owner and executive chef Jacques Fox, Cruz honed his French techniques while incorporating his Mexican roots.
Artisans relocated from Midtown to Westheimer in 2023. They are located at 5745 Westheimer Houston, TX 77057. Tickets are $199 and available here.