People. Place. Power. CHANGE.

People, Place, Power: CHANGE
March 27, 6-7:30pm

Join us for a conversation with five community activists, artists, and changemakers redefining what CHANGE means in the context of their work. The discussion will be moderated by Susan Rogers and Jose Mario Lopez and feature the important and unique voices of Roni Cabrera-Moreno, Joe Robles IV, Ivy Lorraine Walls, Huey German-Wilson, and Kenneth Williams. Our conversation will explore the intersection between people, place, and power—and how this framing enables us to imagine and lead change.

About the speakers
Roni Cabrera-Moreno (Eastex Jensen) is an artist, arts advocate, and the founder of Art in the Heart located on Jensen Drive. Art in the Heart emerged from Roni’s firsthand experience with the inequity in access to the arts, particularly in underserved communities like Eastex Jensen. In response, Roni, along with her husband and four sons, converted an old school bus into a mobile art studio in 2020, aiming to bring art to children in neighborhoods where artistic resources were scarce. In 2021, Roni’s efforts received recognition and support from singer Kelly Clarkson and HEB. With the financial gifts she received, Roni realized her dream of establishing an art center in the very neighborhood where she grew up. In May of 2022, Art in the Heart opened its doors, and has served over 5,000 individuals, including children, families, seniors, and artists.

Huey German-Wilson (Trinity Houston Gardens) is President of the Trinity/Houston Gardens Super Neighborhood Council #48 and one of the founding directors of the Northeast Houston Redevelopment Council (NEHRC). The NEHRC formed following Hurricane Harvey and have worked tirelessly to ensure those impacted by the storm receive the help they need. The NEHRC also advocates across a number of key issues, including food insecurity, health equity, economic redevelopment, education, environmental justice, and resilience.

Joe Robles IV is a photographer from Pasadena, TX. His goal is to positively portray people and everyday life, and his work captures the strength of humanity and community. As a photographer, he is creating a new narrative about the people and places that too often go unrecognized. His first solo show exhibited portraits of families at Strawberry Park in Pasadena and his work reflects his deep connection to the people and places that have shaped him. His approach to photography, to people and place, rooted in his own experience, invites viewers to see the world through a lens of empathy and understanding.

Ivy Lorraine Walls (Sunnyside) is a pioneering agriculturalist deeply ingrained in both community and culture, making significant strides in the farming sphere with an unwavering dedication to nurturing food-secure ecosystems. She spearheaded the establishment of a community farm in Sunnyside, one of the city’s oldest predominantly Black neighborhoods. Leveraging her rich third-generation farming legacy and an entrepreneurial spirit, Ivy stands at the forefront of advocating for food accessibility and equity. Her impactful portfolio comprises Ivy Leaf Farms, Fresh Houwse Grocery, and Black Farmer Box, a weekly subscription service that supplies fresh fruits and vegetables. Her revolutionary efforts have placed her at the center of a movement to transform the agricultural landscape, especially in Houston’s Black communities.

Kenneth D. Williams (Trinity Houston Gardens) is a founding director of the Northeast Houston Redevelopment Council and is currently the treasurer. He is also Vice-President of Super Neighborhood 48, Trinity Houston Gardens. He advocates for building a strong community through equitable education, economic development, healthy food access and fair housing. He believes that stronger communities make stronger cities and yield more productive citizens. He served in the U.S. Navy for six years and is a retired business analyst from Shell Trading US. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston Clear Lake.

Susan Rogers is an Associate Professor of Architecture at the Hines College of Architecture and Design at the University of Houston and the Director of the Community Design Resource Center. Her work focuses on the complex intersectionality of people and place and the role of design in catalyzing change. The CDRC’s partnerships with leaders across Houston has led to an expansive and diverse body of work that reflects the extraordinarily rich landscape of the city.

José Mario López, a graduate of the College of Architecture and Design at the University of Houston, believes in equity as a fundamental part of the planning and design process. He is committed to working with neighborhood leaders to identify opportunities and challenges and co-developing place-based strategies. Mario was part of the CDRC team for four years and is currently working as an urban planner with Huitt-Zollars in Houston, Texas.