ION CENTER EVENTS: CRAWFISH Cookoff May 1 and other events Elevator Pitch Competitions etc.

 

🦞 Crawfish, Cold Drinks and Bragging Rights 🦞 Who Will Reign Supreme at the Ion Block Party 3rd Annual Crawfish Cookoff?   We’re turning up the heat for a special edition of Ion Block Party! Join us on Thursday, May 1 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM for our 3rd Annual Crawfish Cookoff, where Ion businesses go head-to-head in a friendly competition to earn the title of Best Tasting Crawfish. You be the judge—taste, vote and enjoy the vibes with the Ion community.   All registered guests who check in will receive one free drink ticket, redeemable at Second Draught. Stay tuned for the full lineup of competing teams—this is a Block Party you don’t want to miss!

RSVP to the Crawfish Cookoff on 5/1!

Happening Soon

Livestream Only — Elevator Pitch Competition today, starting at 6:00 PM, for the Rice Business Plan Competition, World's Largest and Richest Intercollegiate Student Startup Competition

Ion Networking with Cup of Joey → 4/11, 8:30 AM-10:30 AM

Inaugural RSVF Annual Conference → 4/14, 4:00 PM-7:00 PM

TEX-E Conference → 4/15, 1:00 PM-4:30 PM

Brewing Innovation Mixer - TEX-E Conference → 4/15, 4:30 PM-6:30 PM

How to Start a Startup → 4/15, 5:30 PM-7:00 PM

Perfecting Your Pitch → 4/16, 5:30 PM-6:30 PM

Angel Investing 101: Valuation and Term Sheets → 4/16, 5:30 PM-6:30 PM

Founders & Funders Happy Hour → 4/17, 5:30 PM-7:30 PM

Ion Networking with Cup of Joey → 4/18, 8:30 AM-10:30 AM

Looking Ahead

Greater Houston Business Procurement Breakfast 4/22, 8:00 AM-11:00 AM

Houston Methodist Leadership Speaker Series 4/23, 4:45 PM-6:00 PM

NASA Tech Talks 4/24, 6:00 PM-7:00 PM

Ion Networking with Cup of Joey 4/25, 8:30 AM-10:30 AM

Mapping Houston's Ecosystem 4/25, 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

View Our Full Events Calendar

Featured Events

How to Start a Startup Tuesday, April 15, 2025 5:30 PM-7:00 PM   You have an idea… but is it ready to take off? Before seeking funding, it’s crucial to ensure your idea is both viable and valuable—because without a strong foundation and a market that’s ready to buy in, securing investment will be an uphill battle. Join us for an insightful session with Heath Butler, then stick around for a networking happy hour!   Register Now →

Angel Investing 101: Valuation and Term Sheets Wednesday, April 16, 2025 5:30 PM-6:30 PM   Join Urban Capital Network for an introduction to valuation strategies and negotiating deal terms for early-stage investments. In this session, you can expect to learn how to assess and apply valuation factors and criteria, valuation methods, term sheet basics and negotiation points.   Register Now →

Founders & Funders Hangout Thursday, April 17, 2025 5:30 PM-7:30 PM   Join Mercury, TiE Houston and Rocket Network at the Ion for an evening of conversation and connection. Whether you're a founder, investor or operator, all are welcome to stop by, grab a drink, and dive into great conversations about tech, startups, venture capital, and more.   Register Now →

Submit Your Startup Successes

Has your startup achieved a recent milestone or noteworthy success? If so, we want to share your impact as part of the Ion community. Submit your startup success here.

Ion Prototyping Lab

→ Houston Robotics Group Every Saturday, 2:00 PM-5:00 PM

→ Houston Linux Users Group Meetup Every Wednesday, 6:00 PM-9:00 PM

→ React HTX Meetup at Ion Prototyping Lab 4/10, 6:00 PM-8:30 PM

→ IPL Learning: Intro to Laser Cutting 4/12, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM

→ IPL Learning: 3D CAD with Fusion360 4/19, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM

→ Houston VR Meetup at Ion Prototyping Lab 4/17, 7:30 PM-9:30 PM

Office Hour Opportunities

→ Baker Botts Office Hours (By Appt. Only)   → IPL Office Hours Tuesdays, 1:00 PM-5:00 PM Fridays, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

→ SCORE Office Hours 4/11 10:00 AM-11:30 AM   → SCORE + LSA Global Office Hours 4/18 10:00 AM-11:30 AM

Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002, United States Manage preferences

Floral Arranging Workshop at Foelber Pottery - Pottery Classes also for all ages - owners are friends of the efamily!

 https://foelberpottery.com/collections/floral-arranging-workshop?se_activity_id=186733035807&syclid=d03gsged4d5c73ag1lk0&utm_campaign=Floral+arranging+workshops+at+Foelber+Pottery_186733035807&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

A friend of mine's son took classes here and now has his own website selling pottery! He's an engineer and it is just a hobby! You may know the owners they were longtime members of St. James

Youth 9th - 12th Graders please share! Thanks efamily member SAM DENARD for sharing!

 Donna,

This year, HOU.SEC.CON is introducing YOUTH.SEC.CON specifically for 9th-12th graders.  I have attended HOU.SEC.CON since its founding more than 10 years ago.  I know the organizers; and I am quite confident that this new offering will be worthwhile.  See more at the URL below.

https://www.houstonseccon.com/youthseccon

CLE Opportunity for the Legal Community - Immigration and Nationality Law Practices and Procedures

 We have a busy and exciting week ahead and hope you’ll join us for the following events:

CLE Opportunity – Immigration & Nationality Law Practices and Procedures

 Thursday, April 24, 2025
 8:00 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
 Thurgood Marshall School of Law – Rooms 105 & 106

This complimentary CLE course is approved for:

• 5.25 hours of MCLE credit, including
• 2.00 hours of Ethics credit

We encourage all alumni, faculty, students, and legal professionals to attend!

 TMSL in the Rio Grande Valley

We’re excited to connect with alumni and friends in South Texas during two special receptions:

 Cameron County Reception
 Thursday, April 24, 2025
 Hosted by TMSL Alumni Noe Garza and Baltazar Salazar

 Hidalgo County Reception
 Friday, April 25, 2025
 Hosted by TMSL Alumni Hon. Rick Rodriguez and Rick Palacios
Full details for both receptions are included below.

                       Click the following link to make a donation to the law school “TMSL Alumni”:  https://www.tsulaw.edu/alumni/gifts.html

Thank you for your continued support of Thurgood Marshall School of Law. We look forward to seeing you throughout the week!

Warm regards,

Prudence Smith Russell

Prudence Smith Russell, Esq., CFM

Assistant Dean of Advancement & Alumni Engagement

Director of Development (Law School)

NAACP webinar - Climate Justice - thanks efamily member Janice Weaver for sharing!

 

Black communities have long been on the frontlines of the climate crisis—living near polluting industries, enduring devastating hurricanes and floods, and navigating the harmful legacy of environmental racism. Yet too often, we are excluded from shaping the solutions.

This Earth Month, the NAACP invites you to join a national conversation and mobilization effort:

Climate Justice Now – Black Communities on the Frontline
Date: Monday, April 28, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT
Register Here

We’ll hear from grassroots leaders, movement pioneers, and cultural storytellers about the climate threats facing Black neighborhoods—and the bold actions we must take to protect our communities. I’ll be joined by:

• Jamaal Bell, Director of Free to Ride and Creative Strategy Manager at the Kettering Foundation


• Vernice Miller-Travis, Executive Vice President at the Metropolitan Group, Co-founder of WeACT for Environmental Justice, and contributing author of Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States

Women of Virtue "I Am" Women's Conference May 1-3 thanks efamily member Janice Weaver for sharing!

 

Senior Information and Resource Fair - April 22nd thanks efamily member Janice Weaver for sharing!

 

Voting - MAY MATTERS! Thanks efamily member Janice Weaver for sharing! Folks died for our right to vote - EXERCISE YOUR FRANCHISE!

 

Guess-Lawson Collection EXTENDED to April 25th

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     GUESS-LAWSON COLLECTION EXHIBIT EXTENDED TO APRIL 25th https://guesslawsoncollection.com/exhibition/ - click for more information

Art with Purpose

Papercity...  in this MUST READ beautiful article... Click HERE: https://www.papercitymag.com/home-design/guess-lawson-collection-gensler-houston-downtown-building-art-exhibition/
The collection is the work of Houston Museum of African American Culture CEO John Guess and longtime Channel 13 anchor Melanie Lawson. THE COLLECTION - CLICK HERE  https://guesslawsoncollection.com/thecollection/

Location:
Gensler Houston
909 Fannin St, Unit 200
Houston, TX 77010

info@guesslawsoncollection.com for more information

KSTU Spring Membership Campaign Friends of Sylvester Continuing the Legacy April 13 1-4pm thanks efamily member Janice Weaver for Sharing!

 

Volunteers Needed at YWCPA Saturday April 12th - thanks efamily member Ms. Zeno for sharing

Greetings all, 

 We are in need of a few more volunteers for our annual egg drop, balsa bridge, mousetrap car, and water bottle rocketry SECME STEM event. 

The event will take place at YWCPA (1906 Cleburne, 77004) on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 8:30 am - 1:00 pm at YWCPA. 

 Can you please share with your networks in an effort to help find volunteers to assist with the event? Volunteers should sign up here: https://forms.gle/AVeiwmdEok91Utvp9 

 More about SECME HISD - https://bit.ly/HISDSECME 

Thank you! 

 Kind regards, Astra Zeno 

Engineering/Computer Science, Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy (713) 942-1441 (office) | (713) 942-1448 (fax) azeno@HoustonISD.org Book a meeting with Ms. Zeno YOUNG WOMEN’S COLLEGE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Young Women Today, Leaders Tomorrow HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 1906 Cleburne Street | Houston, TX 77004 

 Keep up with the latest news from YWCPA: www.HoustonISD.org/ywcpa Follow YWCPA on Twitter: @YWCPAHISD #YWCPASTEM

IMPRINT POSTPONED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

  Due to the prediction of inclement weather, all activities of Menil Community Neighborhood Day scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 1 - 5 pm have been POSTPONED, including: 2025 Inprint Prize Winners Reading SATURDAY, 3:45 pm Date POSTPONED Menil East Lawn Featuring the 2025 Inprint Prize Winners, including 9 graduate students from the acclaimed UH Creative Writing Program and one undergraduate from Rice University, plus 3 UH undergraduate winners of the Alexandra L. Rowan Memorial Foundation Writing Competition. Inprint Poetry Buskers SATURDAY, 1-3:30 pm Date POSTPONED Eastside of The Menil Collection The Inprint Poetry Buskers spread the joy of poetry by writing poems on demand at festivals and events throughout the city. A rescheduled Menil Community Neighborhood Day is in the works. Please stay tuned for further details. Join us this Sunday! Inprint Cool Brains! featuring Rosanne Parry Sunday, April 6 2:45 pm (doors open 2:15 pm) Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School 10410 Manhattan Dr., Houston, 77096 Free & open to the public! Click here for more information & free tickets Free copies of A Wolf Called Fire for the first 100 families Interactive activity with Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary (2:45 pm) Presentation and audience Q&A by Rosanne Parry (3 pm) Meet the author and book signing For bus scholarships for student groups, contact info@inprint.org Discounted books available at the event through Brazos Bookstore And more! The 2024/2025 Inprint Cool Brains! Series proudly presents Rosanne Parry, the author of the bestselling novels A Wolf Called Wander, A Whale of the Wild, and A Horse Named Sky. These “Voice of the Wilderness” stories center the voices of wild animals and focus on their struggle to survive in a dangerous and changing world. Based on rigorous research and inspired by the real animals of the western United States, Rosanne’s books are treasured by teachers and librarians and adored by animal-loving readers of all ages. CONNECT WITH US Facebook Twitter Instagram Inprint | 713.521.2026 |info@inprint.org|inprint.org 1520 West Main Houston, TX 77006

17th Annual Family Day in the Park at Sylvester Turner Park April 12th - thank you efamily member Janice Weaver for Sharing!

Greetings! It's that time of year again. You’re invited to join us as a community partner for the 17th Annual Family Day in the Park at Sylvester Turner Park (2800 West Little York Rd, Houston, TX 77091) on Saturday, April 12th, from 2 PM to 6 PM hosted by Ashley Turner Captain. We anticipate 7,500–8,500 attendees to enjoy a day of fun, entertainment, and community connection! This beloved event, started by the late Honorable Sylvester Turner, is a long-standing tradition in the Acres Homes community, a historically under-resourced Complete Communities neighborhood in Houston. It provides a unique opportunity for residents, local businesses, and organizations to come together in a safe, inclusive, and vibrant environment that fosters unity, pride, and meaningful connections. Why Participate? Engage with the community and share your services and resources. Host a booth and interact directly with thousands of attendees. Support a tradition that builds on the incredible legacy of the late Honorable Sylvester Turner aimed at strengthening bonds among neighbors. All activities, entertainment, food, and beverages at Family Day in the Park are completely free and open to the public! Event Highlights: 🎶 Live Entertainment – By popular demand, J. Paul and the Zydeco Nu Breedz return with their signature New Orleans-style music! Additional performances include: Aldine Carver High School drama & dance students Tiger Rock Martial Arts Master Liu & Shaolin Temple Cultural Center (Lion Dance) And much more! ⚾ Youth Sports – The Urban Youth Academy, sponsored by the Houston Astros & Major League Baseball, will host boys’ and girls’ Astros Jr. RBI league games at 12 PM and 2 PM on Fields 3 and 4. 🎡 Family Fun Zone – Enjoy inflatables, games, a rock-climbing wall, a colorful train ride for kids, and exciting giveaways! 🍗 Free Food & Drinks – Indulge in turkey legs, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, snow cones, and more—on us! 👵 Senior Tent – A dedicated space for Bingo and other interactive games for our young-at-heart guests. We’d love for you to participate as a community partner! Attached are the cover letter and application—please review, complete, and email them back to us. Let us know if you have any questions. Promotional graphics will be shared soon for you to post on your social media platforms and circulate in your network. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, April 12th! Thank you,

Caracatures Event

Google for more info

Brazilian Festival

Several Easter Events for kids

Living Abroad Excellent Article - How to connect with Sisters Abroad and Apartment Rent is much lower!

https://www.sistersletter.com/culture/top-foreign-cities-for-sister-expats?cmp=EMC-DSM-NLC-OTH-SIS-2002600-2149301-9162117-NA-04042025-Sisters-MS1-TopForeignCities4SisterExpats-IMG-CTRL-Culture&encparam=UGq1IAdAUnmJ3cd77RT%2b8dmAShNBgMJ4emY5Rqdgvse2rRc3MLAN%2bYroIVbWpgJn

Folber Pottery Events starting April 26th

https://foelberpottery.com/?se_activity_id=186454507807&syclid=cvo3jl029h6c73db3fag&utm_campaign=Our+most+spectacular+exhibit+of+the+year_186454507807&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

DEMO DAY INVITING SCHOOLS TO ATTEND SEEKING INVENTORS TO PARTICIPATE AWESOME PROGRAM

Reference: What is Project Invent Demo Day Houston? Demo Day Houston is our Project Invent capstone event where student teams pitch their product to a panel of professionals and showcase the journey they underwent from idea to prototype. Four awards are presented at Demo Day giving students a chance to win funding! Our keynote speaker will highlight the student mindsets of curiosity, resilience, and ambition. Contact me if interested in this event donna.blackshear.reynolds@gmail.com Project Invent Demo Day - Houston When: May 28th, 2025 Speaker Time: 5-8pm CT Where: TMC Innovation Factory, 2450 Holcombe Blvd. #Gate 2450 Houston, TX 77021 Judges will connect with Project Invent for a brief call ahead of the event. See more about our Houston impact here!

A WOLF CALLED FIRE - Bus Scholarships for students to this event

Join New York Times bestselling author of A Wolf Called Wander, Rosanne Parry, sharing her new book A Wolf Called Fire Sunday April 6, 2:45 pm (doors open 2:15 pm) Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School 10410 Manhattan Dr., Houston, 77096 Free and open to the public CLICK HERE FOR FREE TICKETS Free copies of A Wolf Called Fire for the first 100 families Interactive activity with Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary (2:45 pm) Presentation and audience Q&A by Rosanne Parry (3 pm) Meet the author and book signing For bus scholarships for student groups, contact info@inprint.org Discounted books available at the event through Brazos Bookstore And more! The 2024/2025 Inprint Cool Brains! Series proudly presents Rosanne Parry, the author of the bestselling novels A Wolf Called Wander, A Whale of the Wild, and A Horse Named Sky. These “Voice of the Wilderness” stories center the voices of wild animals and focus on their struggle to survive in a dangerous and changing world. Based on rigorous research and inspired by the real animals of the western United States, Rosanne’s books are treasured by teachers and librarians and adored by animal-loving readers of all ages. Rosanne Parry joins us to share her new book A Wolf Called Fire, already the 2025 Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and a #1 Indie Best Seller. This highly anticipated, stand-alone companion to the instant #1 bestseller A Wolf Called Wander. In A Wolf Called Fire, Warm is the smallest pup, the one his father calls the heart of the pack. But all Warm sees is his bigger brothers Sharp and Swift, even his sisters Pounce and Wag, winning all the wrestling matches. Just as Warm is finding his place, enemy wolves destroy and scatter the pack. Warm helps lead the pups away from the fight, only to find himself alone with four pups to defend and feed. Can he be both the heart and the head of a new pack? Does he have to choose the aggressive leadership style of his father and brothers? Or is there another way? According to the New York Journal of Books, “Readers who enjoyed A Wolf Called Wander, as well as those with a fondness for realism and wildlife tales, will find this latest addition to Parry’s growing library of nature-themed novels a rewarding pleasure.” And School Library Journal writes, “Middle schoolers will instantly identify with Warm. . . . This wolf tale presents a diversity of ideologies and perspectives, all of which are sure to help readers reflect on where and how they fit into the world.”  CONNECT WITH US Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Inprint | 713.521.2026 | info@inprint.org | inprint.org 1520 West Main Houston, TX 77006

9th to 12th GRADERS Youth.SEC.COM thanks efamily member Sam Denard for sharing!

This year, HOU.SEC.CON is introducing YOUTH.SEC.CON specifically for 9th-12th graders. I have attended HOU.SEC.CON since its founding more than 10 years ago. I know the organizers; and I am quite confident that this new offering will be worthwhile. See more at the URL below. https://www.accelevents.com/e/youthseccon

This Weekend at TSU -- FREE SCREENING OF ALBANY ROAD featuring Renee Elise Goldsberry

Register to Win a Tablet - AWESOME SPEAKERS for students Noon CST Thursday April 17th

https://linksinc-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SOSErhT6Q0SSKdph72qxug#/registration or join facebook live https://www.facebook.com/thelinksinc