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.
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
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Contact:
aali@eightmillionstories.org
Alejia Ali is the Director of Operations for Eight Million Stories, where she focuses on strengthening the organization’s internal systems, processes, and day-to-day operations. She enjoys streamlining processes, creating organization and structure, and ensuring that staff have the tools, resources, and support they need to be successful.
Alejia’s role also includes managing organizational data and systems, supporting operational planning, and helping develop processes that improve efficiency, communication, and accountability. She is passionate about finding practical ways to make systems work better while creating a strong foundation for the team and the students Eight Million Stories serves.
Alejia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication with an emphasis in Media and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Her educational background, combined with her experience in communications, data management, and operations, allows her to bring both a people-centered and systems-focused approach to her work.
She is committed to using her skills and experience to support the continued growth of Eight Million Stories and help create an organized, efficient, and supportive environment where staff and students have what they need to succeed.
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Contact:
bgarrett@eightmillionstories.org
Brenda Garrett is the Office Manager for Eight Million Stories. She brings many years of experience in the helping and administrative fields to her role at Eight Million Stories Inc. Throughout her career, she has developed a strong passion for supporting individuals and helping them access the resources and guidance they need to succeed.
Brenda spent five years at MD Anderson and nine years serving as an Administrative Secretary with Kelsey-Seybold, where she gained extensive experience in administrative support, organization, and working with people from diverse backgrounds. She also spent seven years as a Drug and Alcohol Technician with Metro, further strengthening her commitment to helping individuals navigate challenges and connect with supportive services.
At Eight Million Stories, Brenda enjoys working in the education field and supporting students as they work toward their goals. She takes pride in helping ensure that students have the resources, information, and support they need to be set up for success.
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Brenda brings a wealth of knowledge about the local community and the resources available to the individuals and families Eight Million Stories serves. Her dedication to helping others, combined with her extensive professional and community experience, makes her a valued member of the Eight Million Stories team.
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Contact:
kcola@eightmillionstories.org
Kristina Cola serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Eight Million Stories, where she brings more than a decade of experience advancing career pathways, workforce innovation, and education systems change. Her work spans building cross-sector partnerships, securing and managing multimillion-dollar funding initiatives, and designing scalable programs that drive economic mobility for youth and communities.
Alongside this role, Kristina serves in fractional leadership capacities as Senior Project Consultant at Big Thought and Managing Director at Dallas Innovation Alliance, where she directs national workforce ecosystems, leads strategic planning and KPI development for cross-sector initiatives, and advises leadership on systems strategy and ecosystem alignment. She is also the founder of Community Power Consulting, supporting organizations in strategic planning and resource development.
Kristina's leadership has been recognized with honors including the Dallas Business Journal's 40 Under 40 and Woman of the Year from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Kristina is a graduate of the University of Houston. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking and spending quality time with her family.
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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.
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Contact:
lguillory@eightmillionstories.org
Bio Coming soon…
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Contact:
nguillory@eightmillionstories.org
Natasha Guillory is the Chief Innovation Officer at Eight Million Stories. Her work at Eight Million Stories is focused on identifying new opportunities, technologies, and partnerships that expand the program's reach and deepen its impact on the students it serves.
In her role, Natasha leads the organization's efforts to think creatively about how a program can grow while staying true to its mission. She brings a builder's mindset to the work: designing new initiatives, strengthening the systems and tools that support staff and students, and helping Eight Million Stories stay ahead of the challenges young people face today. She is especially passionate about ensuring that every student has access to the resources, mentorship, and opportunity they need to write their own story.
Natasha brings a rare combination of experience to the team. A real estate broker for 30 years, she has spent three decades building relationships, navigating complex transactions, and guiding families through some of the most important decisions of their lives. That experience in community, trust, and long-term thinking informs everything she does at Eight Million Stories.
Outside of her professional work, Natasha devotes much of her time to volunteering with causes that support at-risk youth, a commitment that led her to Eight Million Stories and continues to drive her work there.
Born and raised in Houston, Natasha is deeply rooted in the community she serves. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity from Purdue 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.
Our Board of Directors
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CEO | She’s Happy Hair
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Chief Operating Officer | Luby’s & Co.
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CEO | Hamilton Health Box
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Co-President | Houston PetSet
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General Counsel | Houston Forensic Science Center
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Senior Vice President | Bank of America Private Bank
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Regional Vice President | West Region HEB
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Head of Asset and Portfolio Mgt | KKR& Co.
Our Advisory Board Members
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Director of Learning Design | Getting Smart
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Principal | Uncommon Schools Excellence Boys Middle Academy
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Head of Legal | Encino Energy, LLC
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Program Manager | Artificial Intelligence Engineering - HP, INC.
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Senior Vice President Inclusive Leadership and Opportunity | Greater Houston Partnership
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Advisor, Social Impact | TC Energy
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Vice President | Contract Administration and Contractor Diversity -Harris Health System
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Talent Acquisition Diversity Strategist | Starbucks Global Talent Acquisition, Retail
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IT Consultant, Eight Million Stories Alum | GCI
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Owner | Pennebaker
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Principal Cloud Solution Architect | Microsoft
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Educational/ Workforce Consultant | Te2 Consulting
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Director of Strategy and Social Impact
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Executive Director | J.P. Morgan Wealth Management