Women to Watch – Houston R&B Storytellers

Details

Houston, TX – On June 8, 2025, Grammy-nominated artist and cultural advocate Diondria “Dria” Thornton will present Women to Watch – Houston R&B Storytellers, a soul-stirring evening spotlighting Houston’s next wave of female R&B talent. Hosted at the iconic Hobby Center from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the showcase is a centerpiece event of this year’s Fade to Black Festival opening day.

This powerful curation brings together four rising voices in Houston’s R&B scene — Jastin Martin, Skyrah Bliss, Dria Thornton and Raycheal Winters — in an intimate performance and storytelling session. With music by DJ Cee Watts and guided conversations moderated by the founder of the Houston Tx Hip-Hop Museum Shelby Stewart, the showcase is set to blend raw artistry, cultural authenticity, and the deeply rooted sounds of the city.

“Women to Watch is more than a performance — it’s a moment to honor the unapologetic storytelling and soulful truth that lives in Houston’s women artists,” says Dria, who also serves as treasurer of the Houston Music Advisory Board.

As a Grammy-nominated vocalist known for her work on Logic’s 8x Platinum hit “1-800,” and for original compositions across major media (Netflix’s From Scratch, Hulu’s The Kardashians, Serena Williams’ brand campaigns), Dria is now using her platform to uplift emerging female talent and speak to the heart of Houston’s R&B community.