EVENT DEETS:

When: February 4, 2023, at 6:30 PM (Door Open at 6:00 PM)

Where: Kindred Stories Reading Garden (2304 Stuart Street, HTX 77004)

How: Purchase your ticket TODAY! Each ticket comes with entry as well as two cocktails. THIS EVENT IS FOR ADULTS (21+) ONLY!

ABOUT THE SPELLING BEE:

Contestants will be asked to spell words that speak to the theme of Black History Month over the course of four rounds. If you misspell the word, you are out!  As the words get harder, you might be able to Phone a Friend or Battle to earn your place back into the competition. The last three contestants standing will receive a prize!

Fun and music-filled, this event is for folks looking for something BLACKITY BLACK to do on a Saturday night! 

If you have any questions please reach out to laniseharris@gmail.com or chanecka@kindredstorieshtx.com.

IT'S YEAR FIVE YA' LL! 

Join us for the 5th Buzzed Adult Spelling Bee presented by Babe Events and Kindred Stories, sponsored by the Ten to One Rum and the Third Ward Cultural District!

EVENT DEETS

When: Sunday, March 1 @ 4 PM 

Where: Eldorado Ballroom (2310 Elgin Street, HTX, 77004)

How: There are two different ticket options. If you would like to attend and enjoy the show, purchase your ticket as an attendee. If you would like to contest as the spelling bee champ, grab your ticket as a contestant. Both tickets come with two drinks. THIS EVENT IS FOR ADULTS (21+) ONLY! 

Tickets are final sale and non refundable. You will not be allowed to transfer tickets. 

ABOUT THE SPELLING BEE 

Contestants will be asked to spell words that speak to the theme of Black History Month, including slang and AAVE, over the course of four rounds. If you misspell the word, you are out!  As the words get harder, you might be able to Phone a Friend or Battle to earn your place back into the competition. Fun and music-filled, this event is for folks looking for something BLACKITY BLACK to do on a Sunday night! 

Be mindful that you don't have to participate in the Bee. We definitely need an audience! 

Contact lanise.harris@gmail.com or chanecka@kindredstorieshtx.com for more details.

We’ve all read breathtaking memoirs by Black luminaries such as Zora Neale Hurston, Angela Davis, and Michelle Obama. How can personal essays and memoirs empower us to write about our own extraordinary ordinary lives?

In conversation with contemporary Black writers who have explored their lived experiences through personal essays and memoirs, we will develop our own voices and, hopefully, cultivate a deeper interest in writing these forms ourselves.

Each class will feature readings, discussions, and in-class writing exercises. Over the course of our four weeks together, every student will have the opportunity to submit one essay for individualized feedback.

EVENT DEETS

When: Wednesdays July 1, 8, 15, & 29 @ 6:30 PM

Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)

How: RSVP to reserve your place in this four-part workshop series. Space is limited, and registration is intended for participants who are able to attend all four sessions, ensuring a consistent and collaborative experience for the group.

Supplies: All materials will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring a laptop.

Celebrate the release of Pleasure Please with Ashley Cobb!

EVENT DEETS

When: Saturday, May 16 @ 6:30 PM CST

Where: Kindred Stories(2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)

How: RSVP ONLY to reserve your seat or RSVP WITH BOOK to support the author and our store programming.

Please note outside copies of the book will not be allowed in the bookstore and you will not be eligible for the signing/photo line. You must buy a book from Kindred Stories, or purchase the I ALREADy HAVE BOOK option. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

A fun, exciting, and informative guide to sexual health, wellness, and pleasure for women of color

In Pleasure, Please! The Black Woman's Guide to Unapologetic Pleasure and Confidence, certified sex educator Ashley Cobb delivers a comprehensive and empowering new exploration of sexual wellness for women of color (and especially Black women). Cobb draws on her extensive experience and expertise in women's health, sexuality, and activism to walk you through everything from individual empowerment to effective ways to confront and overcome the barriers and stigma that Black women face.

You'll discover expert advice interwoven with real stories from real women who have been in your shoes and dealt with the same issues you deal with every day. You'll also find answers to the questions women most frequently ask the author to answer, as well as crystal-clear, informative guidance you can apply in your own life and relationships to help you make your life better now.

Pleasure, Please! also includes:

* Tips and advice on self-love, body positivity, and improving your sense of sexual agency
* Techniques for pleasure and self-exploration to help you enhance your sexual pleasure and explore what you desire – and how to best satisfy those desires
* Specific guidance for navigating the unique sexual health and pleasure challenges that Black women often face

Perfect for all women of color who want to improve their sexual health and get more fulfilment, enjoyment, and pleasure from their bodies, Pleasure, Please! is also an essential read for the partners of those women who want to help and support their partners' sex education and body positivity.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ashley Cobb (she/her) is an award-winning sexual health expert and author of Pleasure Please! The Black Woman’s Guide to Unapologetic Pleasure and Confidence. Known for her inclusive and forward-thinking approach, Ashley empowers women of color and marginalized communities by offering expert guidance on sexual health, wellness, and pleasure.

With a passion for breaking stigmas and promoting sexual liberation, Ashley’s work spans from reproductive health and HIV prevention to pleasure and sexual empowerment. Her writing, featured in outlets like Essence, The New York Times, and Women's Health, provides practical advice and thought-provoking insights that encourage individuals to embrace their sexuality with confidence.

Ashley advocates for equitable access to sexual health resources, focusing on supporting those disproportionately affected by health disparities. Through her work, she continues to inspire others to lead fulfilling, liberated sexual lives, challenging social norms and promoting open conversations about pleasure and identity.

ABOUT THE MODERATOR

Nikquan Lewis is a licensed relationship and sex therapist, keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, and author who helps people move beyond survival and into a pleasure-centered life.

She is the founder of Intimate Connections PLLC, where she works with women and couples to understand how trauma and shame shape the way they love, communicate, and experience intimacy. Through her work, she teaches people how to reconnect with their bodies, identify their wants, needs, and desires, and reauthor their relationship with sex and connection.

Nikquan is the creator of the S.A.D. Framework and the author of When Trauma Is Your Author. Her expertise has been featured in Essence, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour, and she has appeared on national television, including TV One, as well as radio and news platforms, where she continues to advocate for culturally relevant healing and transformational conversations.

This bookclub meeting is on July 25 at 7 PM in the Kindred Stories' Reading Garden. Be sure to show up with the book read (or partially read) but you are always welcome to just come and take up space. 

NOTE: Safiya Sinclair will be in town on July 28, at 4 PM to discuss her book. You can RSP here. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Throughout her childhood, Safiya Sinclair’s father, a volatile reggae musician and militant adherent to a strict sect of Rastafari, became obsessed with her purity, in particular, with the threat of what Rastas call Babylon, the immoral and corrupting influences of the Western world outside their home. He worried that womanhood would make Safiya and her sisters morally weak and impure, and believed a woman’s highest virtue was her obedience.

In an effort to keep Babylon outside the gate, he forbade almost everything. In place of pants, the women in her family were made to wear long skirts and dresses to cover their arms and legs, head wraps to cover their hair, no make-up, no jewelry, no opinions, no friends. Safiya’s mother, while loyal to her father, nonetheless gave Safiya and her siblings the gift of books, including poetry, to which Safiya latched on for dear life. And as Safiya watched her mother struggle voicelessly for years under housework and the rigidity of her father’s beliefs, she increasingly used her education as a sharp tool with which to find her voice and break free. Inevitably, with her rebellion comes clashes with her father, whose rage and paranoia explodes in increasing violence. As Safiya’s voice grows, lyrically and poetically, a collision course is set between them.

Please join us as we celebrate author, Marcus Bridgewater on his debut, How to Grow!

Event Deets: 

When: Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 7 PM CST

Where: Kindred Stories Reading Garden--2304 Stuart Street, Houston, TX 77004

How:   Limited in-person tickets are available. You have the option to grab a ticket for free or purchase the book and ticket (Only books purchased at the event will be eligible to be signed by the author!)

We hope you can join us!

About the Book: 

In this transformative guide, TikTok’s most popular gardener, Marcus Bridgewater—aka Garden Marcus—offers lessons for growth rooted in lessons from the plant world to help cultivate the soul.

Centered on a trinity of wellbeing—Mental Health, Physical Fitness, and Spiritual Awareness, How to Grow weaves together insights from the garden with stories from Marcus’s life to help you foster personal development. With lessons rooted in his experiences gardening—from how a replanted flourishing sweet potato vine is a reminder that all living things benefit from a change of scene, to how to embrace patience to foster growth—this inspiring guide helps you do “the dirty work” (pun intended) to discover kindness, patience, and positivity within. “We cannot make anything grow,” he advises. “But we can foster an environment where it may grow.”

How to Grow isn’t a gardening book. It is a self-help book that draws inspiration from the garden. Original, timely, and filled with nurturing wisdom, it takes perennial knowledge from plants to teach us about ourselves and opens our eyes to what we are capable of achieving.

About the Author

Marcus Bridgewater is a creator, educator, motivational speaker, and plant enthusiast. He is the personality behind Garden Marcus on social media, which demonstrates that a positive, knowledgeable approach to nurturing plants also helps us grow as people. He is the Founder & CEO of Choice Forward, a company that offers life coaching, seminars, and workshops.

About the Moderator

Brittany, creator of Foliage Faerie, operates a small batch, pop-up plant apothecary and nursery. Foliage Faerie was birthed during the pandemic on May 7, 2020 while having her first mother's day pop-up on her front porch when she was a resident in The Young Mother's Residential Program at Project Row Houses.  Plants were just a hobby until realizing that the life cycles of plants, nurturing plants, growing plants, was a reflection of the birthing cycle, physical and metaphysical. It was important to share the similarities within these life cycles as she is a birth worker (doula) as well. Indoor gardening had become a self care/ spiritual practice of hers and she has created a workshop, "Indoor Gardening as a Spiritual Practice" that assists with plant enthusiasts/parents connecting to self and nature though the nurturing of indoor plants. You can find Foliage Faerie on Instagram @foliagefaerie and her website www.foliagefaerie.cm

Join us for a community-centered writing workshop that blends craft, creativity, and conversation. Led by Dr. La-Toya Scott, professor and founder of In House Scholar, this series brings the structure and depth of a college-level writing class into an accessible and supportive public space. Each session includes a short craft lecture, guided discussion of a sample text, dedicated writing time, and space to share work with fellow writers. Whether you’re new to writing or returning to the page, The Writer’s Table offers tools, prompts, and encouragement to help you develop your voice, sharpen your craft, and write with intention.

Workshop #3 : Writing from the Body: Memory, Trauma, and Healing

EVENT DEETS

When: Thursday, May 14 @ 6 PM

Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)

How: RSVP reserve your spot 

EVENT DEETS

When: Saturday, June 28 @ 6PM

Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, #2, Houston, TX 77004)

How: RSVP ONLY to reserve your seat or RSVP WITH BOOK to support the author and our store programming

ABOUT THE BOOK

Stepping into the unknown is scary. But what if saying yes despite your fears leads you to a life beyond your imagination? In The Journey of Yes, pastor and podcast host Brenda Palmer shares how everyday obedience freed her from fear and led to profound purpose. Through intimate anecdotes, insightful reflections, and practical guidance, she illuminates the incredible gift of saying yes to God, who leads us through all of life’s opportunities and challenges.

Drawing from scripture and her own personal odyssey—from leaving a dream career and moving across country to giving up financial security and status to follow God's call—Palmer empowers you to conquer fears, embrace vulnerability, and embark on a remarkable journey of self-discovery. She illuminates the paradox that while obedience may come at a cost, it unveils a world of unimaginable blessings and spiritual abundance. As you join her on this journey of faith and obedience, you'll learn that God’s purpose for your life is much grander than material gifts or achieving goals, but about the giver of life Himself.

Palmer’s inspiring revelations and storytelling equip you with a renewed sense of purpose and encouragement to live a life of wholehearted devotion and surrender. Because by saying yes to God, you will uncover a life of infinite possibilities, joy, and lasting fulfillment.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brenda Palmer, author of The Journey of Yes is an innovative preacher, producer of The Same Room’s podcast, host of Life In Perspective Podcast and co-host of In The Room Podcast, and leader of the Come Alive movement, which hosts pop-up events to create spaces for people to encounter Jesus. A graduate of Mississippi Valley State University and Syracuse University, Brenda is an emerging millennial thought leader with a passion for helping people unlock their purpose as they surrender to God’s plan.

ABOUT THE CONVERSATION PARTNER

RaQuel Hopkins is the founder of Success is Complicated. Her career journey began in the realm of HR, where she ascended to the position of VP of HR for a global telecommunications firm. She then transitioned into coaching and mental health, where she continues to make significant impacts. RaQuel holds a BS in Business, an MBA in International Business, and a Master’s in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling. Dedicated to transcending traditional coping mechanisms, her work is focused on promoting genuine thriving and capacity building in individuals and organizations.

Celebrate the release of Communication Skills for Healthier Boundaries with Dr. LaToya S. Gilmore!

EVENT DEETS

When: Thursday, May 8 @ 7PM

Where: Kindred Stories (2304 Stuart Street, HTX, 77004)

How: RSVP ONLY to reserve your seat or RSVP WITH BOOK to support the author and our store programming

ABOUT THE BOOK

Stop People-Pleasing and Start Setting Healthier Boundaries Now

Do you feel resentful because you didn’t speak up? Do find yourself saying yes when you really mean no, only to burn out later? Or maybe frustration builds, leading to blowups that push people away? In Communication Skills for Healthier Boundaries, licensed psychotherapist Dr. LaToya S. Gilmore addresses the struggles many face when they can’t express their needs, often resorting to either giving in or losing control.

This book provides essential tools to break free from these patterns and communicate with clarity and confidence. Learn how to set firm, healthy boundaries without guilt and honor yourself without fear of conflict. Tackling either people-pleasing or explosive reactions, Dr. Gilmore’s practical guidance will help you build and maintain fulfilling relationships without compromising your well-being.

Communication Skills for Healthier Boundaries includes:

* Verbal and nonverbal communication skills and activities. Attain lifelong skill sets to build assertiveness, confidence, and self-awareness.
* Real-life dialogue scripts. Practice setting and asserting boundaries at your own pace while finding your communication style.
* Easy implementation in two parts. Learn core communication skills in the first part of the book, and then apply these skills in the second part, which features common scenarios where boundaries are challenged in everyday life, rela

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. LaToya S. Gilmore is a licensed therapist, educator, consultant, writer, and speaker. She inspires those she works with to intentionally integrate self-care and healthy boundaries in their daily lives and is an advocate for ending the stigma related to seeking therapy. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Prairie View A&M University and a doctorate in counselor education from Texas Southern University. Her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy was earned at Fuller Theological Seminary. She resides in Houston, Texas.

ABOUT THE CONVERSATION PARTNER

Kandice Ewing is a lifelong Houston resident and a dedicated co-leader at the Fellowship of Love Church for over 20 years. Recently, Kandice earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Houston Christian University and is now a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate. Believing that therapy is her true calling, Kandice is committed to supporting individuals, groups, and couples experiencing mental distress, emotional dysregulation, and life stressors.

With expertise in areas such as grief and loss, depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, spiritual struggles, relationships, boundaries, assertiveness, and self-esteem, Kandice takes an eclectic therapeutic approach and tailors’ treatment to meet each client's unique needs.

Passionate about guiding others on their wellness journey, Kandice is dedicated to fostering healing and personal growth in a compassionate and supportive environment.

WE'RE BACK BABY!!!!!!!!!!!

Join us for the 3rd Buzzed Adult Spelling Bee presented by Babe Events and Kindred Stories!

EVENT DEETS

When: Saturday, February 24 @ 7 PM (Doors open at 6 PM)

Where: Kindred Stories (2304 Stuart Street, HTX, 77004)

How: There are two different ticket options. If you would like to attend, purchase your ticket as an attendee. If you would like to contest for the cash prize, grab your ticket as a contestant. Both tickets come with two drinks. THIS EVENT IS FOR ADULTS (21+) ONLY! 

Tickets are final sale. You will be allowed to transfer tickets to guests.

ABOUT THE SPELLING BEE 

Contestants will be asked to spell words that speak to the theme of Black History Month including slang and AAVE over the course of four rounds. If you misspell the word, you are out!  As the words get harder, you might be able to Phone a Friend or Battle to earn your place back into the competition. Fun and music-filled, this event is for folks looking for something BLACKITY BLACK to do on a Saturday night! 

Be mindful that you don't have to participate in the Bee. We definitely need an audience! 

Contact lanise.harris@gmail.com or chanecka@kindredstorieshtx.com for more details.