IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
+17 IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
IM Houston 2025 Tapestry Gala Celebrates “A Brand New Day”, Raises $650,000
More than 500 supporters joined IM Houston (formerly Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston) to celebrate “A Brand New Day” – a new chapter of unity, renewal and purpose – at the organization’s annual Tapestry Gala on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Hilton Americas – Houston. The event raised an inspiring $650,000 in support of IM Houston’s mission to bring people of diverse faiths together in dialogue, collaboration, and service as a demonstration of shared beliefs.
Guests arrived to the mellow sounds of a deejay provided by Divisi Strings and were greeted by a gallery of artwork from IM’s Refugee Youth Art Program, as well as a close-up look at one of IM Houston’s Meals on Wheels delivery trucks—a tangible symbol of the organization’s outreach and impact.
This year’s theme, “A Brand New Day,” celebrated both IM Houston’s reimagined brand and the visionary leadership of its new President and CEO, Sheroo Mukhtiar, while looking ahead to a vibrant and inclusive future for the community.
Ernie Manouse, host of Hello Houston on Houston Public Media, welcomed guests into a ballroom transformed by A Perfect Touch with shimmering plum linens and radiant florals in the hues of sunrise—roses, orchids, and flickering candles that captured the warmth and promise of a new dawn.
Manouse introduced Sonya Vial of Shell USA, Inc., the evening’s Presenting Sponsor, who shared heartfelt remarks honoring IM Houston’s mission and the hope that comes with renewal.
A touching moment of interfaith unity followed, as children from Houston’s diverse faith communities offered blessings from the Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Bahá’í, and Buddhist traditions. Their shared invocation, “May this brand-new day open our hearts… Together, we welcome this brand-new day!” filled the room with inspiration and hope.
Guests then paused to honor the life and legacy of U.S. Representative Sylvester Turner, former Houston mayor and a steadfast public servant.
Entertainment began with a stirring rendition of “Hallelujah” by Christina Wells, Houston’s own America’s Got Talent finalist. IM Houston Board Chair Henry Florsheim joined Manouse on stage to extend his gratitude to sponsors, attendees, and volunteers whose dedication brought the evening to life.
Newly appointed President and CEO Mukhtiar shared her heartfelt vision for IM Houston’s next era—one grounded in sustainability, compassion, and interfaith collaboration. “Together,” she reflected, “we will build a stronger IM Houston—one that thrives today and endures for generations to come.”
Guests savored an elegant dinner of pepper-crusted beef tenderloin with ginger demi, Korean gochujang chicken thigh, Manchego bread pudding, tomato relish, and seasonal vegetables, followed by indulgent desserts of chocolate opera cake and peppermint chocolate panna cotta.
Throughout the evening, guests heard inspiring updates from IM Houston program representatives and volunteers, including stories from Refugee Services, Meals on Wheels, Interfaith Relations, and Volunteer Houston—each a living testament to the organization’s reach and resilience.
Wells returned to the stage with a soaring performance of “A Million Dreams” as Event Co-Chairs Miya Shay & Rep. Gene Wu and Nihala & Shaukat Zakaria joined Mukhtiar and Florsheim to present the Spirit of Respect Award to the Right Reverend C. Andrew Doyle of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, recognizing his decades of faith-driven leadership and service.
Renowned musician Changlu Wu, a graduate of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, then performed an original composition on the pipa, setting the tone for the introduction of 2025 Tapestry Honoree Charlene Chuang—a 37-year energy industry veteran and passionate community leader whose legacy of service includes leadership roles at IM Houston, the Chinese Community Center, and the Asian Pacific American Heritage Association.
Ms. Chuang was introduced by IM Immediate Past President Dr. Kathy C. Flanagan and graciously accepted her award, with inspiring remarks.
The evening crescendoed with an energetic finale as Wells performed “This Is Me,” inviting guests to join her for impromptu dancing to “I Will Survive” and “We Are Family”—a joyful embodiment of the evening’s message: unity, renewal, and hope for A Brand New Day.
Sponsors helping to make the Tapestry Gala possible included: Presenting Sponsor Shell USA, Inc.; Titanium Weaver Sponsors Karyn and Charles Crisp/EOG Resources and Sysco; Platinum Weaver Sponsors Susan and Dan Boggio, the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation, Charlene Chuang, Doe and Henry Florsheim, and the Hildebrand Fund. Agilant Solutions Inc./Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Houston Style Magazine, and MAREK are Gold Weaver Sponsors. Silver Weaver Sponsors include Comcast, Susanne and Randall Evans, Frost Bank, GD Energy Products, H-E-B, Roberta and Erik Konicki, Paula Sutton and Bill Gross/Joyce and Ambassador Arthur Schechter, TRIO Community Meals, and Nihala and Shaukat Zakaria.
Supporters in attendance included: Honorary Consul of Austria Gerald Seidl, Counsel General of Croatia Phillip Berkowitz, Counsel General of Ukraine Vitallii Tarasiuk, and Retired Honorary Consul of Sweden Astrid Marklund. Commissioner Catarina Gonzalez, Susan Boggio, Nadia Tajalli and Dr. Shahin Tavackoli, Karen Labat, David Leebron and Sun Y. Ping, Gracie and Bob Cavnar, Gordan Quan, Lily and Charles Foster, Sandra Smith-Cooper, Brigitte Kalai, Farida Abjani, Doe and Henry Florsheim, Lisa Helfman and Lee Haverman, Susanne and Randall Evans, Kristyn and Francis Page Jr., Philamena Baird, Paula Sutton and Bill Gross, Ann and Ron Kaesermann, Mandy Kao, Christina Zhou, Terri Wang, Alice Mao, and Robert Sakowitz.
For more than 60 years, IM has united people of diverse backgrounds to serve the Greater Houston area and manifests the strength of shared beliefs through Meals on Wheels and Animeals; Refugee Services; Interfaith Relations; and Volunteer Houston
About IM Houston
A United Way partner, IM Houston brings people of diverse faith traditions together for dialogue, collaboration and service, as a demonstration of our shared beliefs. IM provides the following services: Meals on Wheels and Animeals delivers meals and more to 3,500 homebound seniors and their pets; Refugee Services, which works with documented refugees as they resettle and become self-sufficient in our community; Interfaith Relations hosts dialogue and service opportunities that foster understanding, respect and engagement; and Volunteer Houston connects volunteers with nonprofit needs across our region. For more information, visit imhouston.org.
