Employing autistic adults

Michelle Groogan, Garrett Groogan, founder Heidi Ham, Greg Groogan, William Purdy,Joel and Lisa Strieter, and Bilen Ham hit the red carpet at Spectrum Fusion’s inaugural gala, Spotlight on the Stars: Rolling Out the Red Carpet for Autism. The event was held at The Junior League of Houston and honored Spectrum Fusion’s Media Team, a group of 20 talented autistic adults working or interning as film editors, videographers, copywriters, illustrators, and graphic designers. Spotlight on the Stars raised more than $263,000 to help expand the program and hire additional Media Team members. The night opened with a video produced by the Media Team, followed by a surprise Great Gatsby-themed flash mob. DJ Cory Baum then introduced Grammy-nominated singer and Broadway star Ashley Támar Davis, who performed “Fame.” Emcee Courtney Zubowski, host of Texas & Me, turned the program over to Spectrum Fusion founder Heidi Ham, who shared highlights of the organization’s support of more than 500 autistic adults and their families since 2018.

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