# Tribe Academy

> Tribe Academy is a Houston nonprofit that helps young professionals (ages 24–40) make real friends as adults through the Friendship Lab: four weeks, six small, curated experiences that take a room of strangers to friends.

Tribe Academy is a Texas-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in Houston, TX in 2024. It serves young professionals roughly ages 24–40 who want to make real friends as adults. It describes itself as "not an events company" but an ecosystem for real friendship, built on small, curated, repeatable experiences.

## The Friendship Lab

Go from strangers to friends, one experience at a time. Six events gave you the chance to connect, go deeper, and build something real. You showed up. See you at the next Lab.

- Format: four weeks, six experiences, one small group (cohort) that meets repeatedly.
- Current status (Fall 2026): Applications are closed. The waitlist for the next Lab is open.
- Waitlist: https://tribeacademy.co/waitlist

Fall 2026 lineup:
- [new.ish Social](https://tribeacademy.co/events/newish-social): Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 7 PM, Sophie Cocktail & Terrace Bar (past). A young professionals social for anyone who's new to something: Houston, a career, entrepreneurship, their 30s, or making friends as an adult.
- [Evening of Service](https://tribeacademy.co/events/evening-of-service): Friday, September 11, 2026, 6 PM, Houston Food Bank (past). An evening giving back at the Houston Food Bank while connecting with other people who care about making an impact.
- [Game Night](https://tribeacademy.co/events/game-night): Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 6:30 PM (past). The most unique and intentional game night you've ever experienced. Competition, laughter and low-pressure fun.
- [80's pickleball social](https://tribeacademy.co/events/pickleball-social): Saturday, September 19, 2026, 4 PM, Bumpy Pickle (past). A beginner-friendly pickleball social with friendly competition, playful partner swaps and plenty of reasons to laugh.
- [healing meditation](https://tribeacademy.co/events/healing-meditation): Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10 AM, Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern (past). A guided meditation inside Houston's iconic Cistern, followed by smoothies and reflection with the Tribe.
- [wip work sesh](https://tribeacademy.co/events/wip-work-sesh): Friday, October 2, 2026, 6:30 PM (past). Bring the idea, project, career move or next chapter you're still building. Leave with a meaningful connection, a useful ask or offer, and a clearer next step.

## Four pillars

- Inner Work: Mental and emotional well-being. Self-discovery and personal growth.
- Outer Work: Physical well-being. Movement, energy, and new experiences.
- Boss Work: Career development. Financial growth and building your future.
- No Work: Play, rest, creativity, and enjoying life beyond productivity.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Tribe Academy?
Tribe Academy is a Texas-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in Houston in 2024, that helps young professionals build real friendships as adults. We're not an events company. We design small, intentional experiences where depth with a few people matters more than meeting a lot of them.

### What is the Friendship Lab?
Our signature program: four weeks and six curated experiences for the same small group. The Fall 2026 Lab included a young professionals social, an evening of service at the Houston Food Bank, a game night, an 80s pickleball social, a guided meditation in Houston's Cistern, and a work session for personal projects.

### Who is it for?
Kind, curious young professionals in Houston, roughly ages 24–40, who want real friends and are ready to show up consistently. People new to Houston, a career, or their 30s fit right in. We don't select for status, industry or popularity.

### How do I join?
The Lab runs in seasons and takes applications before each one. Applications for the next Lab aren't open yet. Join the waitlist and you'll hear first.

### Can I come to an event without joining the Lab?
Often, yes. Some events are open to the public with tickets or an RSVP, and we post them on our Events page and Instagram. Others are invitation-only.

### How can I support Tribe Academy?
Donate through our Givebutter campaign (US donations are tax-deductible), volunteer at events, or tell a friend who's been looking for their people.

### How long is the Friendship Lab?
Four weeks, with six experiences spread across them.

### Where do Lab events happen?
Across Houston. The Fall 2026 Lab met at Sophie Cocktail & Terrace Bar, the Houston Food Bank, and Houston's Cistern, among other spots.

### When is the next Lab?
Dates for the next season haven't been announced. Join the waitlist to hear as soon as applications open.

### Do I need to come with a friend?
No. Most people come solo. That's the point.

## Upcoming events

No public events are scheduled right now. Follow Instagram or join the waitlist to hear first.

## Pages

- [Home](https://tribeacademy.co/): what Tribe Academy is and how the Friendship Lab works
- [The Friendship Lab](https://tribeacademy.co/the-lab): program details, lineup, who it's for
- [Events](https://tribeacademy.co/events): upcoming and past events in Houston
- [About us](https://tribeacademy.co/about-us): story, mission and approach
- [Gallery](https://tribeacademy.co/gallery): photos from real events
- [Donate](https://tribeacademy.co/donate): support the nonprofit (US donations are tax deductible)
- [Get in touch](https://tribeacademy.co/connect): waitlist, volunteering, feedback

## Past events

- [2nd Annual Carols & Cocoa](https://tribeacademy.co/events/carols-and-cocoa-2025): Saturday, December 20, 2025, 2 PM (past). The holidays can be a lonely time, especially for seniors. We sang carols to residents at a local senior living facility. Hot cocoa and cookies were involved.
- [AfroTech Happy Hour with AtkCo](https://tribeacademy.co/events/afrotech-happy-hour-atkco): Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 6 PM, Melrose HTX (past). A curated happy hour that brought together innovators, founders and creators for connection and collaboration in the middle of a busy week.
- [Happy Hour Series](https://tribeacademy.co/events/happy-hour-series-october-2025): Friday, October 17, 2025, 7 PM, Woodland Social (past). Another evening of drinks, conversation and connection with Houston's curious young professionals.
- [Happy Hour Series](https://tribeacademy.co/events/happy-hour-series-august-2025): Friday, August 1, 2025, 6 PM (past). A night with people bold enough to show up solo and open enough to leave with new connections, plus the inside scoop on our programs from the organizers.
- [TEDxThirdWard VIP](https://tribeacademy.co/events/tedx-thirdward): Saturday, March 1, 2025, 2 PM (past). We sponsored TEDxThirdWard and experienced it with exclusive VIP tickets: premium seating and a complimentary drink.
- [Carols & Cocoa](https://tribeacademy.co/events/carols-and-cocoa-2024): Friday, December 20, 2024, 6 PM, The Heights (past). We visited a senior home in The Heights to spread holiday cheer with caroling, then wrapped up with eggnog at a cozy spot.
- [Vibe & Unwind](https://tribeacademy.co/events/vibe-and-unwind): Friday, November 15, 2024, 3–5 PM (past). An invite-only kickback away from the AfroTech hustle, hosted with Ayoola John at a residential clubhouse, to recharge and vibe with like-minded young pros.
- [Houston Virtual Trivia Night](https://tribeacademy.co/events/houston-virtual-trivia-night): Monday, September 16, 2024, 7 PM (past). A fun-filled evening of online trivia. The Space Cowboys won the team prize.
- [Mid-Summer Social](https://tribeacademy.co/events/mid-summer-social): Thursday, August 1, 2024, 6–9 PM (past). A happy hour to unwind, network, play some games and make new friends.
- [A Night for Newcomers](https://tribeacademy.co/events/a-night-for-newcomers): Saturday, June 1, 2024, 7 PM (past). An evening for people new to the city to meet each other.
- [Grant's Galentine's](https://tribeacademy.co/events/grants-galentines) (past). A Galentine's Day Bachelor watch party to sip, snack and cheer Grant Ellis on at the start of his season.
- [Meet the Neighbors: Game Night](https://tribeacademy.co/events/meet-the-neighbors-game-night) (past). A game night to meet people within a five-mile radius. Guests brought a favorite game and a snack to share.

## Links

- instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytribeacademy
- tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mytribeacademy
- linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thetribeacademy
- facebook: https://www.facebook.com/318363644692113
- Donate: https://givebutter.com/DVhZTE
- Volunteer: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Smsehqm6p4lkA1s_QrZ3X8bP3BASEPMMivH2KyyikGQ/viewform