Please join us for Compassionate Houston's Annual Luncheon Fundraiser with Melanie Lawson, anchor and three-time Emmy winning reporter at KTRK ABC 13 News, as our panel moderator. Ms. Lawson will interview three Houston visionaries who, upon seeing a need, were called to compassionate action, and founded nonprofits that make a difference for our city.

Friday, March 29th

11:30am - 1:00pm

at The Briar Club

About Melanie Lawson

Melanie Lawson has been an anchor and reporter at KTRK ABC 13 for more than three decades. She is the anchor of Live at 5 and Eyewitness News at 11 AM. She is also the previous 10-year host for a weekly community affairs program called Crossroads, which focused on issues and events around the city. She has covered virtually every city, state and national election during her career

She has interviewed a wide range of notables, including three Presidents, Henry Kissinger, the Dalai Lama, poet Maya Angelou, singer Beyoncé, actors Betty White and Denzel Washington, and basketball star Magic Johnson.  She’s earned three Emmys for her work.  Her involvement in the Houston community is far reaching, and she has received numerous honors and awards for her contributions.

Ms. Lawson received her undergraduate degree in Politics from Princeton University, and a joint degree in Law and Journalism from Columbia University. She worked at a Wall Street law firm for three years before returning to Houston, and is admitted to both the Texas and New York State Bars.

About our Panelists

Barbara Bronstein, SECOND SERVINGS.

Ms. Bronstein is the founder of Houston’s only prepared and perishable food rescue organization since 2015. Second Servings recently surpassed a total of 2 million pounds of rescued food, previously destined for the landfill. The food is distributed to more than 65 local charities that serve groups of people at soup kitchens, shelters, and day programs, across greater Houston. As much as 40% of our nation’s food is wasted annually, and 1 in 5 Houstonians face food insecurity. Second Servings targets food waste and food insecurity in an innovative way, and provides a needed service for our city.

Brandi Brown, HYPE FREEDOM SCHOOL, Inc.

Ms. Brown is the co-founder of a non-profit serving children and families in the Sunnyside/South Park communities for 17 years. Ms. Brown works with local organizations and churches to sponsor the CDF Freedom School program. This program serves communities lacking non-school-time activities for their youth. The curriculum provides summer and after-school enrichment to help children fall in love with reading, increase self-esteem, and generate more positive attitudes toward learning. This program targets low-income children at risk for school failure, as well as their families and local communities.

Gloria Medina Zenteno, BARRIO DOGS.

Ms. Zenteno is the founder of an animal welfare organization originating in 2010 in Zenteno’s East End neighborhood, where an abundance of neglected, stray and pregnant dogs existed. Although the group facilitates rescues and adoptions, it targets the root causes through education and outreach in local schools and community centers, to change cultural and generational attitudes toward animals. The group supports prevention of pet over-population, and conducts free, quarterly spay-neuter services, vaccinations and micro-chipping. Zenteno more recently founded Unity for a Solution, a collaborative organization of more than 50 animal welfare and civic groups, to better serve the greater Houston area.