More than 330 supporters of Houston Habitat for Humanity recently gathered at The Briar Club for the nonprofit’s annual Building a Dream Luncheon. The event raised funds for Houston Habitat’s programs to build and improve the places people call home as the organization celebrates its 35th Anniversary.
Program highlights included a compelling testimony on the importance of Houston Habitat’s work from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and a powerful call to action from keynote speaker Natosha Reid Rice, Habitat for Humanity International’s first Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
Adam Drexler, Gaynell Floyd Drexler, and Alyssa Anderson
Erika Jones, Alan Watkins, and Courtney Taylor
Elise Drexler and Cynthia Daniels
Gaynell Floyd Drexler and Elise Drexler
Gaynell Floyd Drexler was honored with the 2022 Carl Umland Award for her decades of support to causes that impact and improve the lives of everyday Houstonians in areas spanning affordable housing to conservation and the cultural arts. Drexler provided a moving thank you to her family and reflected on the enduring influence of Houston Habitat’s founder Carl Umland.
Houston Habitat Executive Director Allison Hay closed the afternoon by thanking attendees for their continued support and for their contributions in helping the organization reach 35 years of mission-driven work.
Other guests in attendance included: Elise Drexler, Adam Drexler, Joel Deretchin, Chad Mills, Odilia and Owen Conflenti, Christie Obiaya, Mahesh Konduru, Sherman and Nicole Lewis, Melissa and David Sewell, Cynthia Daniels, Erika Jones, Alan Watkins, Courtney Taylor, Katy Caldwell, David LaDuke, Sidney Evans, Tim Kollatschny and Stephen Goldberg, Gary Pittman, Sami Ahmad, Vincent Gradney, Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff, and Toni Jackson.
Photo Credit: Priscilla Dickson