Houston’s Night to Remember
Houston’s skyline wasn’t the only thing sparkling on Friday, April 11. Inside the Post Oak Hotel at Uptown, more than 600 guests gathered for the 24th Annual KIPP Texas-Houston Benefit, where inspiration, nostalgia, and a few mic drops shared the spotlight.
An Evening of Heart and Harmony
The evening was a masterclass in heart and harmony, ultimately raising more than $1 million to fuel the dreams of Houston’s future leaders. The evening unfolded like a perfectly written song thanks to chairs Melissa DeMontrond, Bryon Johnson, and Susan and Chris Dray.
Student Spotlights and KIPP Heroes
The soirée began with moving student spotlights that underscored the impact of KIPP Texas-Houston’s work across the city. Cheers rang out for this year’s KIPP Heroes: Karen Arnold, a beloved community leader, and Renu Khator, the president of the University of Houston, both honored for their commitment to education and community empowerment.
A Night of Nostalgia
As dinner plates cleared and anticipation grew, the ballroom’s energy shifted from inspiration to pure nostalgia when Rick J. Perez introduced the evening’s main event. Boyz II Men — those masters of swoon-worthy harmonies — took the stage, instantly transporting the crowd back to high school dances and cassette tape rewinds. Hits like “End of the Road” and the still-irresistible “Motownphilly” had guests singing along, waving cell phones overhead in a sea of lights.
A Star-Studded Guest List
Making it truly “One Sweet Day” were Anita and Alan Ying, Sydney Ying, Nick Mears, Colleen Amling, Tonia Whilden, Lorena Gomez, Jessica Gomez, Christian D. Menefee, Jason P. Wells, and Jenny Koehler, Jeremy Alvarado and Jeremy Kriska, Dr. Lacy Johnson and Josh Okun, Karla and Tim Cisneros, Natalia Dikmen, Kiki Dikmen, John Sullivan, Margaret and Matthew Haddad, Matthew Arnold, John Arnold, Misty and Dr. Surena Matin, Jovanny Orellana, Allison and Troy Thacker, Cary Wright and Nick Ferrer, Donald Bowers, Bridget and Thomas Hoffman, Brett Ashley Barth, Alexis Argeroplos, Jeanette and Bill Bush, and Simon and Linda Eyles.
Conclusion
KIPP Texas CEO Sehba Ali captured the spirit of the evening in her remarks, calling it “an evening of joy, unity, and impact.” The 24th Annual KIPP Texas-Houston Benefit was a night to remember, one that will continue to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders in Houston. With its unique blend of inspiration, nostalgia, and entertainment, the event was a true success, raising over $1 million to support the important work of KIPP Texas-Houston.
