Connie Leon is the Small Business and Community Intiatives Program Coordinator at the West Houston Institute where she creates programming for the Small Business Maker and Creative community called HOUMade, a WHI Initiative developed in 2022. 

LaGina is a local Founder, Artist/Entrepreneur and a Social Impact driven Community Leader who has worked in growing and establishing a BIPOC community centered organization in Houston, reason why she founded The US Space. 

The US Space has since become a West Houston Institute/Houston Community College partner through an economic resiliency grant with the EDA, which allowed for a Small Business program to be created, the project is now known as HOUMade, under the leadership of Jordan Carswell, Director of West Houston Institute and Connie Leon, Program coordinator.

“The Us Space (TUS) is a women of color (WOC) focused collective that answers the challenges of accessibility and the lack of convenience. We help members combat the feelings of loneliness that come from working from home and growing a business alone by providing an alternative to this reality.

TUS was created to be a positive, affirming, and uplifting environment where ideas can flourish safely. We are an inclusive community where everyone is welcome and ‘the table’ is built with women of color specifically in mind.”

Viridiana Maldonado is the Founder of Social Click PR. Apublic relations agency that has represented clients suchas Ford Motor Company, WSS, Contemporary ArtsMuseum Houston, Macy's Inc., Correa Family Foundation,Thrive Greater Northside, BIPOC Arts Network & Fund,The Latina Power, Calavera con Calavera, MikeBloomberg, Power On Heels, Houston Latin RestaurantsWeek,Univisión, among others.

Viri is currently part of the board of directors with theHouston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals,Grupo de Teatro Indigo and the Latinas United PAC inaddition to being a member of organizations such asPublic Relations Society of America, Women in PR, TheEntreprenista, Cámara de Empresarios Latinos deHouston, The National Hispanic ProfessionalOrganization and a volunteer at the Make-A-WishFoundation.

In 2023, Viri was named “Women of the year” by CBBAproduction. 

In her free time, Viri likes to travel and learn about new cultures. One of her goals is to be able to reach 100 countries before she turns 50. 

Humberto Martinez is a multifaceted entrepreneur, business coach, and speaker, best known as the owner of the renowned restaurant Space City Birria. With a decade-long career in the car industry, Humberto transitioned to entrepreneurship with a BurgerIM franchise in 2019, which unfortunately closed due to the pandemic. However, from this setback, he birthed his concept, Space City Birria, quickly establishing it as one of the hottest dining spots of 2023, gaining a substantial social media following. Humberto's journey from failure to success inspired him to become a business coach, mentor, and sought-after speaker, sharing insights on resilience and entrepreneurship.

Humberto's passion for sales led him to develop expertise in customer service and business, which he now applies in developing a franchise model for Space City Birria and leading Space City Restaurant Group.

Outside of his entrepreneurial endeavors, Humberto dedicates his time to his community, serving on the worship team at Nueva Jerusalén Church. Humberto and his wife, Stacey, first crossed paths at Nueva Jerusalem Church. Their shared commitment to faith and community has since blossomed into a beautiful family with two children. They aspire for their children to embrace the family's entrepreneurial spirit and become valuable contributors to society.

Sebastian Sanders, widely recognized as "The Youth Principal," is a distinguished nonprofit executive, global youth speaker, and the driving force behind The Sanders Hand. Residing in Houston, Texas, Sebastian is deeply committed to uplifting at-risk youth on a global scale, having delivered impactful motivational talks to over 20,000 students worldwide.

With a bachelor's degree in business administration management, Sebastian's professional journey soared from Sales District Manager at Pepsico to the role of Network Operations Manager at Frito Lay, where he excelled in supply chain operations and retail sales leadership.

In 2017, Sebastian founded The Sanders Hand, a nonprofit organization that has positively impacted the lives of over 5,000 at-risk youth and college students in Texas and Oklahoma. As a nonprofit executive, Sebastian spearheads transformative programs like Universal Basic Income (UBI) and the groundbreaking Young Billionaires Club. Notably, the YBC Thrift Store, a pioneering retail initiative, stands as the first-ever retail digital education hub for financial literacy.

Sebastian's TEDx talk on the art of giving, inspired by his book "Art of Giving: One Nonprofit Can Change the World," has resonated with audiences globally. This influential work explores the profound impact that nonprofits can have on transforming communities and creating positive change.

Expanding his philanthropic efforts, Sebastian addresses the technology education gap in Ghana by opening a computer lab and establishing a branch of Sanders Hand Ghana. This international endeavor reflects his commitment to providing opportunities for education and empowerment beyond borders.

In addition to his speaking engagements and literary contributions, Sebastian serves as a small business consultant through the Money Mondays Entertainment Company, hosting a weekly show that provides invaluable insights.

With an unwavering dedication to creating a better future, Sebastian continues to motivate and empower individuals, fostering positive change in communities around the world.