Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley.
Hi Ashley , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Touch Grasss started in 2024 after I noticed how hard it had become to make genuine connections as an adult. Post-COVID, so many of us were working from home, glued to our screens, and slowly losing basic social skills. I saw how that shift was causing more social anxiety and awkwardness in everyday interactions—not just for me, but for a lot of people.
So I invited about 40 friends on a hike in The Woodlands to reconnect in person. It was simple, but powerful. People talked, bonded, and immediately asked when the next event was. That’s when I knew this needed to grow.
To bring Touch Grasss to life, I brought on my co-founder Angela Johnson, and later our core team: Cara Tom, Thomas Ofosu, and Abdul-Azziz Umaru. Together, we’ve built a space where people can step away from digital life and connect through intentional, movement-based events like field days, hikes, mixers, and more.
Each person brings their own unique magic to the team, and that’s why this works. Here’s why we thrive together:
Angela Johnson (Co-Founder)
Event Aesthetic & Branding Lead | Community Impact Coordinator
Angela oversees the visual identity of our events and manages social media with grace and intention. She has a brilliant eye for detail and a gift for bringing our vision to life; every event she touches becomes more vibrant and meaningful. Angela also keeps us rooted in purpose, consistently finding ways to weave in charitable impact. Her warm presence, thoughtful insight, and creative spark shape the soul of Touch Grasss.
Abdul-Azziz Umaru (Vibe Curator)
Atmosphere & Energy Lead | Strategic Connector
Abdul ensures the vibe is always just right. Whether on the mic or behind the scenes, he sets the tone and keeps the energy aligned. He’s incredibly resourceful and solution-oriented—ready to pivot when challenges arise and always thinking ahead. His calm, logical presence grounds our creativity, and his connections have been instrumental in expanding our reach. Abdul is the quiet force that brings us together and keeps us moving forward.
Thomas Ofosu (Impact Facilitator)
Event Operations & Logistics Lead | Impact Facilitator
Thomas plays a critical role in making sure every event runs with intention and order. He oversees inventory placement, ensures supplies are sourced efficiently, and helps maintain smooth coordination with quality assurance. He also provides thoughtful, constructive feedback that helps us continuously improve as a team. Whether he’s checking people in, managing setup, or stepping in wherever there’s a gap, Thomas shows up with reliability, warmth, and a mindset rooted in “whatever it takes.”
Cara Tom (Social Media & Tech Specialist)
Digital Strategy Lead | Multi-Hat Problem Solver
Cara wears many hats and wears them well. She jumped into the social media role with confidence, quickly learning and leading our digital presence with intention. Organized, adaptable, and proactive; she finds solutions before problems arise and learns new tools with ease. Cara’s strategic mindset and ability to execute have added a new level of structure and visibility to Touch Grasss.
Together, this team creates a seamless flow from the moment attendees arrive to the final goodbye. Their collective strengths are rooted in a shared passion for genuine human connection and a commitment to serving our community. Every member adds a distinct layer of magic to Touch Grasss, from Angela’s visionary design and Cara’s technical brilliance to Abdul’s intuitive vibe and Thomas’s operational excellence. We don’t just organize events, we craft experiences that invite people to pause, reconnect, and rediscover joy in the present moment. That’s the heart of our journey.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s not always the smoothest road—but I think that’s what makes the journey real. None of us had experience running a social club before Touch Grasss, so we’ve been learning as we go. Every event brings its own set of surprises. Sometimes we overestimate turnout, or we forget little things—like multiple fans on a warmer day, or an extra sign-in table. It’s not that we aren’t prepared—it’s just that unexpected challenges pop up at times.
The beauty of our team is that we’re quick on our feet. We don’t panic—we adapt. After every event, we regroup, talk about what worked, what didn’t, and how to improve. Most of the hiccups are behind-the-scenes, so attendees rarely notice—but we take every lesson seriously to make the next event even better.
What I really love is that we didn’t wait to be perfect to start. We started because we believed in the vision: helping people connect. We’ve embraced the idea that we’re an ever-evolving group, constantly refining what we do. Having a solid team—people I can trust, who care just as deeply about the mission—has been the key to pushing through every challenge and continuing to grow.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my professional life and career, I work as a Training and Development Manager, where I’m passionate about helping people reach their fullest potential. I focus on creating career frameworks that give employees a clear roadmap for growth, identifying the skills and training they need to advance in their roles. By helping individuals see the steps they can take to reach their goals, I ensure they have the tools and guidance needed to evolve and succeed.
This drive for helping others thrive is at the core of what I do at Touch Grasss as well. Just like in my career role, I create opportunities for growth—this time, on a personal level. Through Touch Grasss, I’m able to help people connect, improve their well-being, and uncover their potential in a meaningful and supportive community.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
When it comes to finding a mentor or building your network, I’ve learned that the magic often happens when you least expect it. It’s not always about having the perfect pitch or a flawless plan—sometimes, it’s just about showing up. Strike up a conversation after an event, slide into the DMs of someone whose work you admire, or simply saying yes to that coffee invite. The best opportunities and networking moments usually come from the moments you didn’t overthink.
Intentional networking involves fostering relationships, Real connections aren’t built in a day—they’re made through small, consistent gestures. A quick “How’s that project going?” text, a genuine follow-up, or just showing up when you say you will? That’s how I’ve navigated that space.
Lastly Shoot. Your. Shot. You don’t have to have it all figured out, and you definitely don’t have to go it alone. The mentor, the opportunity, the next big idea? It might be one honest conversation away. So put yourself out there—what’s the worst that could happen?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Touchgrasss.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/touch.grassshtx
- Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/touchgrasss-ent-96688191553
