WE ARE

Eight Million Stories

Founded in 2017, we are a nonprofit created to support disconnected youth in Houston, Texas.

Our Mission

We are working to empower the lives of at-promise youth (9-24 years old) through education, employment & personal development.

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The Problem

Young people—particularly those from historically marginalized and under-resourced communities—are increasingly disconnected from schools, community life, and the workforce. This disconnection is deeply rooted in systemic inequities, including punitive school discipline policies and the persistence of the school-to-prison pipeline, which disproportionately impacts Black, Brown, and low-income youth and contributes to overrepresentation in the justice system.

In Houston, approximately 111,000 young people are identified as Opportunity Youth—individuals who are currently not engaged in school or employment. These young people often face structural barriers to success, including limited access to equitable educational experiences, career exposure, and workforce opportunities. Addressing this challenge requires intentional, community-driven solutions that invest in comprehensive training and development programs—equipping young people with both the soft and technical skills needed to thrive in adulthood.

By providing meaningful access to opportunity, we can disrupt cycles of poverty and incarceration, and build a more just, inclusive, and empowered future for all youth in our city.

Our Theory of Change

We believe that when young people are provided with equitable access to complete their education and secure meaningful employment they are better positioned to transition successfully into adulthood, and achieve long-term stability and self-determination.

Our model is grounded in collaboration. We envision working alongside school districts, systems of care, and community-based organizations to co-create alternative, inclusive pathways that honor the extensive strengths and lived experiences of youth and young adults. Together, we can build supportive ecosystems that foster opportunity, restore agency, and promote educational and economic access for all.

Our Name

The name Eight Million Stories is inspired by a song from the iconic Hip-Hop group A Tribe Called Quest. Toward the end of the song, a repeated plea—“Help me, help me”—echoes a sentiment deeply felt by many young people navigating systems that were not designed to support their full potential.

When we speak about youth who have been disconnected from school, work, or have been impacted by the juvenile justice system, we reject deficit-based narratives. These are not “bad kids”—they are young people responding to complex environments, often shaped by trauma, systemic inequities, and unmet needs. At the core of their actions is often a call for connection, understanding, and belonging. They want to be heard. They deserve to be seen.

Meet Our Team

  • Contact:

    mpierre@eightmillionstories.org

    A native New Yorker, Marvin Pierre began developing 8 Million Stories during his year as a TNTP Bridge Fellow. Before that, he served as the Assistant Principal at KIPP Polaris Academy for Boys in Houston, Texas.

    Prior to joining KIPP Polaris, he served as the Dean of Students at Excellence Boys Charter School in Brooklyn, NY. He was an Assistant Dean of Students at Summit Academy Charter School, and has also served as Director of Student Life at Achievement First Endeavor Middle School (Brooklyn, NY).

    Marvin also worked in the Investment Banking (Municipal Finance Group) at Goldman, Sachs & Co.

    Marvin holds a bachelor's in Economics from Trinity College (Hartford, CT) and a Masters in Education Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and desires to pursue opportunities in community development and co-found a K-8 school for young boys of color in Houston, TX.

  • Contact:

    aali@eightmillionstories.org

    Alejia Ali is the Communications and Evaluation Coordinator for Eight Million Stories. Her focus is to refine and streamline external and internal communication.

    Alejia's role also includes the collecting, managing, and communication of qualitative and quantitative data produced by our efforts and impact.

    Alejia holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication with an emphasis in media and a Masters Degree in Counseling from the University of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

    She has a desire to use her educational background and experience to be a driving force in planning and implementing communication strategies that help achieve the organization's goal and supports the overall mission.

  • Contact:

    sbass@eightmillionstories.org

    Bio Coming Soon…

  • Contact:

    bgarrett@eightmillionstories.org

  • Contact:

    mmartinez@eightmillionstories.org

    Melisa holds a B.S. in Applied Learning and Development from The University of Texas at Austin, with a specialization in Youth and Community Studies. She is passionate about working with youth and empowering students to reach their full potential.

    Her background in education and community engagement helps her connect with clients, advocate for their needs, and coordinate resources to support their personal growth and long-term success.

  • Contact:

    sthomas@eightmillionstories.org

    Skyra Thomas is the Chief of Staff at Eight Million Stories. Her work at Eight Million Stories is focused on planning, coordinating, and supervising the day-to-day operations of the program and staff.

    In her role, Skyra ensures that the program runs efficiently and is student centered, while driving the mission and vision of Eight Million Stories. Streamlining systems, improving processes, and analyzing the effectiveness of the program are the highlights of her work, but nothing compares to fostering strong and lasting relationships with the students.

    Prior to Eight Million Stories, Skyra was the Dean of School Programming at Brownsville Ascend Middle School, where she led student social-emotional learning, college readiness, and developed the school’s first National Junior Honor Society chapter.

    Skyra earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Oakwood University (Huntsville, AL) and a Master of Social Work with a certificate in nonprofit management from Boston University.

Interested in joining our team?

We’re always on the hunt for talented people to join our team. Whether you’re interested in something part-time, full-time, or on a volunteer basis, there’s a place for you to make a difference at Eight Million Stories.

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Our Board of Directors

  • CEO | She’s Happy Hair

  • Chief Operating Officer | Luby’s & Co.

  • CEO | Hamilton Health Box

  • Co-President | Houston PetSet

  • General Counsel | Houston Forensic Science Center

  • Senior Vice President | Bank of America Private Bank

  • Regional Vice President | West Region HEB

  • Head of Asset and Portfolio Mgt | KKR& Co.

Our Advisory Board Members

  • Director of Learning Design | Getting Smart

  • Principal | Uncommon Schools Excellence Boys Middle Academy

  • Head of Legal | Encino Energy, LLC

  • Program Manager | Artificial Intelligence Engineering - HP, INC.

  • Senior Vice President Inclusive Leadership and Opportunity | Greater Houston Partnership

  • Advisor, Social Impact | TC Energy

  • Vice President | Contract Administration and Contractor Diversity -Harris Health System

  • Talent Acquisition Diversity Strategist | Starbucks Global Talent Acquisition, Retail

  • IT Consultant, Eight Million Stories Alum | GCI

  • Owner | Pennebaker

  • Principal Cloud Solution Architect | Microsoft

  • Educational/ Workforce Consultant | Te2 Consulting

  • Director of Strategy and Social Impact


  • Executive Director | J.P. Morgan Wealth Management