On October 15, the AGBU Young Professionals Network officially launched its newest group in Houston, Texas. In celebration of the founding, 30 Armenian young professionals gathered to mingle, play games, share stories and learn more about one other. The launch of YP Houston was spearheaded by chair Anais Babajanian and steering committee members Irene Alvarez, Taleen Asadourian, Sofia Mnjoyan and Nicole Sabbagh, who came together to establish the first YP group in the Southern United States.

The afternoon’s activities included AGBU Bingo, icebreakers, and a testimonial from Avo Mavilian, one of the founding members of YP Chicago, who shared a story about how the YP network shaped his life: “The AGBU family has been a part of my life for as long as I remember, from my siblings attending AGBU schools to me participating in AGBU scouts to my wife interning with the AGBU Summer Internship Program and later being a founding member of YP Chicago. Through these periods, I have had the benefit and privilege of building a global network of Armenians who continue to build on the AGBU legacy of benevolence and bring a positive impact to the communities they call home.”

In the past decade, Houston-the fourth largest city in the United States-has developed a number of industries, most notably medicine and energy. It is home to a growing Armenian young professional community, a mix of both natives of Houston and new transplants exploring personal and professional opportunities in Texas. YP Houston hopes to encourage members and the community through career development, fairs and counseling; networking within the local Armenian group, greater Houston community, and global YP network; and promoting business development in Armenia.

The AGBU Young Professionals (YP) is a growing network of groups and supporters around the world who preserve and promote the Armenian identity and heritage for young Armenians between the ages of 22 to 40. Diverse yet unified, the AGBU Young Professionals is the largest, global network of its kind bringing young Armenians together from all walks of life to serve the greater good.