A Social Experience 2026: The HeART of Community

A Social Experience 2026: The HeART of Community is more than a gala. It is a chance to be part of something that is already changing lives and to help us sustain these needed services for years to come.

Mental Health is our Foundation

The ALLICE Collective was built in honor of Alice Bates — our founder's grandmother — whose belief in the power of community lives on in every space we create. This work exists for Black men, women, youth, and families who deserve mental wellness care that truly sees them, meets them where they are, and removes every barrier standing in the way.

We believe this work exists because we need each other. We were not meant to operate in complete isolation and hyper-independence. And yet for so many in our community, the path to connection and healing has been blocked by broken trust and systems that were never designed with us in mind.

That is what we are here to change.

Since 2023, The ALLICE Collective has:

Hosted over 75 free monthly community group sessions — intimate, welcoming spaces where participants are received with a warm meal and genuine care. Participants are not only attending, they are forming real relationships, outside of the group, that are lasting
Delivered more than 600 low cost and probono counseling sessions. Clients are showing up and reporting feeling seen and understood — because they are working with providers who not only look like them, but who truly understand what mental health and relationship challenges look like in the face of structural racism, micro-aggressions, and generational trauma.
Launched Dear Mama: Block Party for Black Maternal Mental Health in 2024 — hosting two annual events in collaboration with maternal mental health providers and advocates, and bringing together over 350 mothers, fathers, family members, and youth through panel discussions, community vendors, a father's lounge, and dedicated spaces for the whole family.
Built the Wisdom & Worth Youth Wellness Initiative — a community-based program for middle schoolers combining personal development, creative expression, and mindful movement, with local artists facilitating workshops and up to six free counseling sessions available to every participant each semester. Since its launch in Fall 2024, Wisdom & Worth has completed four consecutive semesters of programming.
Grown our student intern training program from one emerging clinician to ten — preparing a new generation of culturally grounded mental health providers for communities that have been historically underserved

On Thursday, April 23, 2026, we gather to celebrate our work — through great music courtesy of DJ Skai of Skai Live Events, spoken word, a collaborative community art piece, and the honoring of six extraordinary community leaders whose work mirrors our own. A Social Experience: The HeART of Community is not a sit-and-watch event. It will be an interactive experience with moments designed to move you and help you truly understand the power of being FULLY PRESENT IN COMMUNITY when you engage with intention.

Your ticket purchase and donations keep every session and program accessible to those who need them most. We are dedicated to helping our communities thrive.

We look forward to having you join us!

The ALLICE Collective would like to acknowledge and give a special thank you to HEB & N-Finite Spirits for making this evening possible.