WITS 2026 Gala

Join us for the 2026 WITS Gala, "The Case of the Missing Couplet," at the Revaire on November 19, 2026.

This year's theme captures the unstoppably determined and creative spirit of the kid detectives we grew up with. We cannot wait to include you in this evening of mystery, built around the creative work of WITS students! There is so much to discover, and we hope you will join us on the case.

Proceeds from the event will support WITS' mission to unlock the joy and power of storytelling and creative expression.

We are thrilled to honor Ané Ebie Mouton and The Caring Crayon Project for their remarkable dedication and championship of WITS and creative writing.

Lindsay & Bart Fehr and Leslie & Issa Kamara will serve as our co-chairs!

Host Committee

Kalinda Campbell
Kara Cook-Schultz
Kate Dearing Fowler
Suzie & Paul Haines
Alecia Harris
Ashton & Jonas Martini
Misty Matin
Laura & Michael Pipkin
Megan Prout
Dr. Mirwat Sami
Drs. Shreya & Sunil Sheth
Lindsey Riddle Shotwell
Amelia & Trey Tomjanovich
Mitra Azodi Woody

Meet the Honorees: The Caring Crayon Project

Pictured (from L to R) are Preston Nguyen (12th grade), Anya Kamaldev (9th grade), Lucy Nguyen (7th grade), Anna Nguyen (11th grade), and Sophia Nguyen (10th grade).

Three sisters, Anna, Sophia, and Lucy from the Kinkaid school, along with their friends Preston and Anya, co-founded the Caring Crayon Project (CCP), a student-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to inspiring young writers and platforming their work. CCP initiatives help youth discover their unique voices and gain confidence in their creative writing abilities while making an impact on their communities, one book at a time. The CCP mission is to empower youth as both authors and philanthropists by raising funds for underserved children through creative publishing projects.

Why They Support WITS:

Since elementary school, we've attended the WITS creative writing program nearly every summer. WITS is where we first fell in love with poetry, and the organization has transformed not only our hearts and minds, but the hearts and minds of countless young people all over Houston. WITS, like the Caring Crayon Project, believes in creating a community where young writers can blossom, encouraging creativity, self-expression, and empathy through writing. 

Meet the Honoree: Ané Ebie-Mouton

Ané Ebie-Mouton, a Chicago native, moved to Houston for ministry and has called the city home since marrying her husband, William, in 2003. Together, they have built a life rooted in faith, family, and community with their two Houston-raised children, Coltrane and Indigo. Beyond her work, Ané enjoys traveling with her family and immersing herself in the arts, experiences that continually inspire her perspective as an educator.

Ané proudly identifies as an educator rather than a teacher, believing education is the work of leading people toward self-discovery and transformation rather than simply delivering information. Her commitment to transformational learning aligns naturally with the mission of Writers in the Schools (WITS), which connects young people with professional writers and spoken-word artists to unlock the joy and power of storytelling.

Why They Support WITS:

Through her work with WITS, Ané has witnessed students experience profound moments of self-realization, empowerment, and healing as they uncover and express their authentic voices. She believes the writing process, though often challenging, can be deeply liberating and transformative. For Ané, nurturing students' creativity and agency is more than an educational goal-it is a matter of human dignity. She believes every child deserves the opportunity to tell their own story and views that opportunity as a fundamental human right.

Meet the Co-Chairs: Lindsay & Bart Fehr!

Lindsay and Bart Fehr are native Texans and have called Houston home for over two decades. Together they are raising four children, ages 9 to 12, and know firsthand how much a love of reading and self-expression can shape a child's confidence and growth. Lindsay is a dedicated stay-at-home mom who keeps the family's busy schedule running, and Bart is a nonprofit attorney. The Fehr family enjoys traveling and spending time in the outdoors together.

Why They Support WITS:

Every child deserves to discover that their voice matters and that their story is worth telling. As parents, we've seen up close how differently kids learn and express themselves-and how transformative it is when a child finds the right way in. WITS meets students where they are and gives them tools for creative literacy that last a lifetime. We're honored to contribute to an organization so deeply invested in the potential of Houston's young writers.

Meet the Co-Chairs: Leslie & Issa Kamara

Midland natives and current Houstonians, Leslie and Issa Kamara moved to Houston in 2005 with their growing family.  Leslie is a director for a publicly traded HR company while Issa works with nonprofit organizations at a global bank.  Both are passionate supporters of the arts, and strong advocates for equality, literacy, and human rights.  In their down time, they enjoy reading, baking, and riding the Peloton. 

Why They Support WITS:

WITS has been an incredibly meaningful part of our family. The organization was a transformative and empowering outlet for our middle child, providing a space to develop their voice, creativity, and sense of self. It was truly inspiring to witness their growth in confidence, courage, and self-esteem through public speaking and self-expression.  As parents of a WITS kid, the experience for us was rewarding and unforgettable. 

Meet the Mystery Cast: COMING SOON

Writers in the Schools invites your student(s) to participate in a collaborative writing project. Through this self-guided character creation activity, students will invent an original character for our community-written mystery story, "The Case of the Missing Couplet."

To download the character creation packet, please follow this link.

Ten student-created characters will be selected and woven into the final mystery, which will premiere during WITS' annual benefit gala in November. At the event, community leaders and supporters will work together to solve the mystery while celebrating and supporting young writers across Houston.

Submissions are due for consideration by July 15, 2026. Visit the project site to get started!

Feel free to share this opportunity with other families, guardians, and educators. We look forward to seeing the imaginative characters our young writers create!

Learn More!

For federal income tax purposes, you may be able to deduct the portion of your purchase price that exceeds the item's fair market value (FMV) if you paid the excess with the intent to make a charitable contribution. For more information, please consult with your tax advisor. Writers in the Schools is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization, EIN# 76-0338549. Our tax ID: 76-0338549.