Combs Global’s Post

As we ring in the year 2024, there are so many exciting things happening at Lubbock Christian University! Check out this latest issue of Reflections for an exclusive look at the newly-completed Gullo Hall, the impact of both new and seasoned faculty, the momentum of LCU's Mabee Foundation Honors College, an alumna's life-changing impact in the lives of children, and more. https://lnkd.in/gwE9e5Qx

From music to cars, and of course golf, Fin Ewing III is involved in many things. Watch this "Quick 9" for some insight into his favorite aspects of business, philanthropy, and hobbies. Learn more about our 2019 Lifetime Achievement inductee at his Digital Museum exhibit at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gSEtNx9E

Check out this Cheat Sheet created by Stir for the upcoming Arts in the Garden!

Even as the world shifts constantly around us, our history grounds us in deeply rooted values. The below letter was written by The People's Music School's founder, Dr. Rita Simó. We discovered it in a recent excavation of our storage unit. Handwritten in June 1976, mere months after the original school opened in February, the letter highlights values that continue to define us nearly fifty years on: Our #community has always been there for us from far and wide, donating a big new rug here, a French horn there, a shipment of records all the way from Boston. Rita never skimped on #excellence, insisting that our students were constantly practicing and performing, putting on a flute and piano recital just five months after the school's grand opening. Rita’s #creativity shines through as she draws on resourcefulness to build her bold new enterprise. She took every #opportunity to say yes, to draw people in, to be open to whatever may come her way. And how could all of this happen without #hardwork, exemplified in this precise moment by the dirt under our fingernails as we dug through 48 years of history? These values - which we acronymize as #ECCHO - ground us to this day. Whatever evolves or is disrupted, values matter, and we are always guided by them. What are your organization’s guiding values? What are your own? How do they show up in your histories, your current actions? #musiceducation #values #history

What are the unintended consequences of Prop 28 for arts education nonprofits in California that no one seems to be talking about? I offer my own thoughts here in an opEd piece for Dream A World Education‘s latest newsletter.

This month I wrap up my time as a board member with Neutral Ground, an artist-run centre in Regina, SK. It has been a pleasure to work alongside and learn from many incredible and passionate individuals. I cap off this year reflecting on what I have learned from stepping into the unfamiliar-to-me space of the arts sector... ◽ The arts are often called upon to make our cities better - whether through public art or event performances, but if they are only seen as outputs, we miss the mark on what they offer and miss out on creating sustainable, vibrant communities. ◽ There is an inherent tension in art existing in a society - this is the true value of what it offers us. The value is in what the arts do to push our society in their ability to shift understanding and perspective. We need to welcome challenge and engage, if we are to learn and benefit. Otherwise we can expect static outcomes. ◽ The arts require intentional focus, equitable practices, and space in free and supportive environments. It is a critical to foster the grassroots work of emerging artists. To support Neutral Ground and the work they do in fostering emerging, experimental, and multidisciplinary artistic practices, consider purchasing a membership, donating, or stopping by the gallery during operating hours. For more info, visit: https://lnkd.in/gn6iS26q There are no doubt other lessons that I have not yet even realized from my short time with the organization, but here is where I have come to today.

How do the arts sustain our cultures? How do our cultures sustain us? Join arts educator Alisha Mernick to learn how centering cultural heritage in our classrooms leads to a more embodied liberation from Eurocentricity in art education. Participants will learn about the unique values and ideologies embedded in Iranian arts and culture, and consider how educators draw upon cultural funds of knowledge to inform our pedagogy and teaching practice. April 17 | Virtual | 5 PM | RSVP ↓

Great to be back again serving as emcee at the 17th Annual Hearts of Texas Luncheon, honoring Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Randy Bowman, Community Partners of Dallas and the Lewisville ISD. Volunteerism transforms lives! Thanks to Volunteer Now CEO, Rachel Currie Triska, for inspiring her incredible team. Americans gave 4.1 billion hours of service to humanity as volunteers last year. There's nothing more impactful than making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. As I share in my keynote address: "Live your life as a go-getter, yet, forever share your life as a go-giver."

We're donating 5 bps from every application we receive today to CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals. Click to learn more about CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals and the incredible work they are doing. #BlackHistoryMonth #Deals4Change