Never give up! Try, try and try again. Against all odds, PERSEVERANCE defies them. Join the Story Collider on February 20th at QED in Astoria for an evening of true, personal stories about science and the tenacity it takes to make it to the finish line. Hosted by Gastor Almante and Julio Chávez.

Doors at 6:30 pm. Show starts at 7 pm.

Stories by:

Carly Ciarrocchi is a host, writer, producer, and morning enthusiast. She works primarily in children's media with a focus on content that inspires creativity, curiosity and messiness in kids of all ages. On-camera hosting credits include Weird But True (Disney+), the Begin Learning App (alongside Elmo from Sesame Street), and Sunny Side Up (all for Universal Kids). She's the host of several kids’ podcasts, including the Signal Award-winning Who When Wow: Mystery Edition from Tinkercast. As an event host and moderator, she frequently collaborates with The LEGO Foundation, meeting them in their mission to redefine and reimagine learning and play. Carly is a Moth Story Slam winner and the voice of Southwest Airlines. She lives in Brooklyn and loves boxing, wandering in bookstores, and waking up very, very early.

Sheria Mattis is a Brooklyn-born comedian and writer. She's written for Reductress, Netflix is a Joke, Leslie Jones, and Fran Drescher. Her comedy has been featured on OprahDaily, PBS, and NBC. She's been a finalist in the Funny Women Awards, won 2nd place in the Comedy Mob Stand-up competition, and is a featured performer in the Knockouts All Stars comedy showcase. She writes for Late Stage Live and is currently developing her comedy web series Fibroids: A Love Story with CK Productions.

Kofi Thomas is a NYC based Comedian with a curiosity for the world. He is a first generation immigrant to parents from Dominica, (not the Dominican Republic). Observer, commentator and creator of the world around him. An accidental community activist.