Community Preschools is owned and led by Amanda Castro. She is a certified professional midwife and has a Master of Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Amanda’s research experience spans from novel small molecule synthesis and design in treating different forms of cancer, to stem cell research, and viral synthesis and research. While studying for her master’s degree, Amanda was selected to represent the United States at the conference of Nobel Laureates in Lindau, Germany. During this trip, she was able to meet some of the most famous scientists of today as well as other young researchers from all over the world. Amanda received her Bachelor of Science at Stephen F. Austin State University and minored in biology. As a child, Amanda grew up working on a longhorn ranch. It was from this experience that Amanda gained appreciation for the importance of exploration to discover the world. Later this exploratory spirit would lead her to spend her summers in Mexico learning to speak Spanish and gain insight into Mexican culture. Now as a scientist, mother, and early childhood educator Amanda strongly believes in the importance of early childhood education. As the founder and executive director, Amanda leads all the day to day operation teams at the campuses. She is an expert in early education policy and administration. She is working on developing a coaching model that seeks to develop other christian educational entrepreneurs that work for the glory of God and to bring high quality programs to children

Jaciel Castro leads operational and administrative work at Community Preschools. He holds a bachelor's degree in Structural Engineering and is passionate about enhancing the operations infrastructure in the early childhood sector in a systematic way. He holds a second bachelors in organizational development from Texas A&M Commerce and a masters in finance from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Jaciel managed operations for a charter in Texas for 6 years before realizing that the best time to make an impact in the community is in early education. He left public education to work alongside some of the brightest minds in Texas to close gaps in early education infrastructure particularly around finance, scalability of programs operating in low-income communities and alignment between the early childhood sector and public education. The mission of Community Preschool’s is to lead the nation in data-driven disruptor and validator of EC best practices. He is a father of 4 young children, 3 of whom are learning Arabic in HISD. Passionate about seeing the world and overseas mission ministry to refugee communities.

Kevin Coker is the CEO and Chief Attorney of Restoring Justice. Kevin’s passion for social justice work was developed while he was a student at Morehouse College, the alma mater of Martin Luther King, Jr. His journey to indigent defense began with an internship at Davis Bozeman Johnson Law while he was a student at Vanderbilt Law School. Kevin saw the criminal justice system’s disproportionate impact on black, brown, and poor people and knew that he could not be a bystander. He became a Gideon’s Promise LSPP Fellow after law school, and he spent the next three years defending indigent clients as an assistant public defender with the Metropolitan Nashville Public Defender’s Office. After gaining expertise in client-centered advocacy, Kevin decided to move back to Houston to join Restoring Justice. Kevin grew up in the Westbury neighborhood of Houston, Texas. He was raised by West African parents in a house with his older brother. Kevin spent his upbringing developing his faith as member of the Westbury United Methodist Church, playing different sports, and focusing on becoming a lawyer. As a native Houstonian, Kevin is committed to improving the culture of indigent defense in Houston. When he’s not working, Kevin enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with his wife, Kennedy and dog, Sage.

Kathy is a wife, mother, author, writer, and advocate who has overcome sex trafficking. After many years of silence, Kathy decided to journal what had happened to her to deal with the surreal experience. That journal became a book. That book became a stage play. Partnering with many organizations, Kathy’s goal is to increase human trafficking awareness, fight for those experiencing trafficking, and mentor those who have overcome it. She now uses her voice and expertise to inspire others to join the fight against such a horrible atrocity. In 2018, Kathy was invited into The Oval Office to witness a bill she advocated for signed into law. In 2021, Kathy joined the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking by presidential appointment. During her time as a Program Director, Kathy developed a trauma-informed restorative care program for adult survivors of trafficking. She is now Co-Founder of Twelve 11 Partners, an organization committed to supporting individuals who have exited the life of trafficking and are on their journey to thriving. As a Keynote Speaker and leader in the field, Kathy continues to provide training and consulting to various groups committed to the fight against human trafficking, emphasizing cultural inclusion and awareness through the arts.

Dubbed Houston’s “queen of curious locations,” Lydia Hance, is the Founder and Artistic Director of Frame Dance and the Chief Curator of Frame x Frame Film Festival. She has been named an Emerging Leader by Dance/USA and has led Frame Dance in performances and dance films from the Galveston pier onto the METRO light rail, in the backs of U Haul trucks, downtown tunnels, parks, and museums, stages, and warehouses throughout Texas for the past twelve years. Dance Magazine says, “Hance is a master of making dances in concert with a specific environment to both an invited and random audience.” A champion of new music composers, her work deepens interdisciplinary and multigenerational collaborations, and investigates the placement of dance in our lives. Her work has been funded by city, state, and national foundations. She is a choreographer, curator, filmmaker, educator, and dance writer originally from the California Bay Area. Her screen dances have been included in festivals across the world including most recently the American Dance Festival (North Carolina), Lady Filmmakers Festival (Beverly Hills, CA), Fuselage Dance Film Festival (Seattle, WA), and the 3 Minute Film Festival (Santa Barbara, CA). Hance holds degrees in Dance Performance and English Literature from SMU and trained at the Taylor School, Graham School, Tisch School of the Arts, Limon Institute, and SMU and has performed locally, nationally, and internationally with professional dance companies. She has served on artistic advisory boards of Fresh Arts and Diverse Works and has been a curator of the Third Coast Dance Film Festival, Dance Alabama Film Festival, and the EnCore Dance on Film Festival.

I'm a mother of 4, including 2 adopted through foster care. I have a BSN from Baylor and an MSN from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Prior to founding The Riverside Project, I worked as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in pediatric community health and school-based healthcare. I'm also a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner, and my husband, Drew, is a pastor in the Houston area.

Amy Fuller PhD, LPC-S, LMFT-S, CST-S Amy Fuller is the founder and Clinical Director of Fuller Life Family Therapy. She brings over 25 years of experience and expertise in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy to Fuller Life. Her role focuses on facilitating the professional development of post-graduate therapists and ensuring the quality of care for our clients. Amy Fuller holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University and a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University. Dr. Fuller is a Clinical Member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and an Approved AAMFT Supervisor. In addition, she is a board-approved supervisor for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Professional Counselors in the state of Texas. Dr. Fuller is a Certified Sex Therapist with the American Association of Sex Educators Counselors and Therapists. Dr. Fuller is also a Certified Spiritual Director. In addition, she holds a Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from Rice University. Dr. Fuller sees clients in Houston Texas specializing in couples and sex therapy, trauma, and depression with over 25 years of experience in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. She offers a unique intensive format for couples utilizing the Crucible Approach.

Lover of our triune God from an early age, early high tech career, married and homeschooled six children, family & children's minister at our church, hospital chaplain focusing on authentically building culture based on corporate values, organizational development consultant, ED of Fellowship of Barnabas Partners. Heavily involved in church mission work. Grandmother to 11 wonderful kiddos!

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OUR MISSION To unite, empower, and mobilize churches to multiply collective impact on their community.​OUR VISION A coalition of interconnected churches and partners in every community of Greater Houston working together, loving their neighbors, and transforming their city.

Marvin Pierre currently serves as the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Eight Million Stories in Houston, Texas. Prior to taking on the role, Marvin was selected as a Bridge Fellow with The New Teacher Project, where he focused his fellowship on developing an alternative education program he called “Eight Million Stories”. His program became a reality and now aspires to upend the school-to-prison pipeline by supporting previously incarcerated youth as they re-enter school and - curbing unnecessary referrals from schools to the justice system in Houston. Marvin has also served as the Assistant Principal at KIPP Polaris Academy for Boys, also in Houston, Texas. Prior to joining KIPP Polaris, he served as the Dean of Students at Excellence Boys Charter School in Brooklyn, NY. Before pursuing a career in educational leadership, Marvin worked in finance at Goldman, Sachs & Company. Marvin, a native New Yorker, holds a B.A. in Economics from Trinity College in Hartford Connecticut, and a Master’s Degree in Education Administration and Supervision, from the University of Houston. Marvin is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., is an American Leadership Forum Fellow alumni and current board member and was selected into the inaugural class for Leadership ISD. Marvin was also recognized by the Houston Business Journal as a member of the 2022 40 Under 40 Class and was most recently named to the 2023 Black Changemakers Program, an award that highlights and trains the top 16 Black non-profit leaders. Marvin currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Tabor Academy and is a Board of Fellows member at his undergraduate alma mater, Trinity College (Hartford, CT) With all of that, Marvin has recently launched a high school dropout prevention program in partnership with the Houston Independent School District called HISD REAL (Reimagining Education and Life) to support youth who are at risk of dropping out of high school.

Hilda Marcel is a native Houstonian. She counts it all joy to be help others by sharing relevant information that inspires transformation. Her desire is to affect change by challenging others to grow through and beyond their circumstances by using the “3 Cs of Life”. Driven by her commitment to develop a community of compassion and care, she uses her skills and expertise in various for-profit and non-profit initiatives. She believes “volunteerism” is the commerce to community. Hilda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and an Associate Degree of Theology. In 2021, after being employed by Shell Oil Products US, she felt a call to transition from employment to deployment. Hilda serves as a Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church sharing her gifts and passion for discipleship, pastoral care, and evangelism. She enjoys serving as a certified Professional Christian Life Coach and Mental Health Coach where she helps others gain movementum toward their goals and dreams for life. Hilda also serves as a Chaplain with Warrior Family Care Centers. In 2019, she founded LueWish, a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to women who are experiencing life altering issues due to cancer, heart disease and domestic violence. The organization seeks to inspire women to keep moving by living, loving, and laughing out loud in spite of. She works as a Vocational Rehabilitation and Job Readiness Trainer helping those with disabilities enter the workforce. Hilda has one son Jonathan and four beautiful grandchildren. She enjoys reading, cooking, road trips, and dancing. Her life mission…don’t fail the love test.