Houstonians won’t soon forget 2018. It was the year of surprise upsets as a number Democrats unseated long term Republicans resulting in the first Latina and woman Harris County Judge, Lina Hidalgo; County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, first African American mayor of Missouri City, Yolanda Ford; Fort Bend County’s first African American district attorney, Brian Middleton, first Latina in Congress, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia; and the Black girl magic of 19 female judges. The year when HISD got ugly after some trustees tried to get rid of interim superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan to rehire past superintendent Abe Saavdra diving the Black and Hispanic communities. Houston amped up their fight against guns when Mayor Sylvester Turner formed Mayor’s Commission Against Gun Violence as school shootings came close to home. Commissioner Rodney Ellis led the way to improve business opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses. We laid to rest a President, Councilman, and the man who brought football back in the form of President George H. W. Bush, Councilman Larry Green, and Bob McNair. Simone Biles continue to dominate gymnastics just as James Harden does the same in basketball. And that is just slightly hitting the surface of all that happened.

That was 2018. It has gone in the wind. We press on and push forward to 2019. Every New Year brings its own set of expectations and opportunities to grow. With the unpredictability of any and everything from the White House, the political shake ups, the doing anything while black 2018 was a year that kept us on our toes. And this following year will continue to have us on alert. As alert, as we have become we need to pay close attention to those making decisions, making the headlines that keep our heads on a swivel. There is plenty to watch in 2019 and Houston Style Magazine wants you to focus on the below. Here's our Who to Watch list of 2019.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo

The 27-year-old is the new Harris County Judge after beating incumbent Ed Emmit who had served more than 10 years. Lina Hidalgo has been criticized for age and lack of experience among other things. Despite all that, Hidalgo said she will willing and ready to serve. People will be watching her closely to see if she can truly deliver on those words.

Commissioner Adrian Garcia

Adrian Garcia is a welcome sight to the County Commissioner’s Court, especially to that of fellow Commissioner Rodney Ellis. He was the lone Democrat. It will be interesting to see how the addition of Garcia affects the issues once meetings are held.

Mayor Yolanda Ford

For years Allen Owen had been the head of Missouri City. But citizens wanted a change and Yolanda Ford is just the changed they needed. As the first African American mayor of Missouri City, Ford will be watched to see what type of leader she is.

Carol Guess

Carol Guess takes on a new role as the head of the Greater Houston Black Chamber. This organization is vital to the survival of minority businesses. Guess is one to what to see how she in her own will continue the efforts to aid minority businesses and takes the service of GHBC to a new level.

Dr. Grenita Lathan

Houston ISD is in need of a permanent superintendent. Dr. Grenita Lathan is interested in being that person. She is doing the job now to rave reviews by parents and teachers. She is a great fit and students love her. After the controversy of attempting to remove her from the position, all eyes will be opened and ears perked to see if the Board would give their support of her as the permanent superintendent.

Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia

Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia has always represented Texas well on the state stage and now she has elevated to the national one. As one of two Latinas to be the first in Congress all eyes will be on her to see how she uses this new platform.

Miss Texas Teen USA 2019 Kennedy Edwards

The bright eyed gorgeous teen made history when she was crowned as the first Miss Texas Teen USA. The first time pageant girl is on a winning streak as she also won Miss Houston Teen USA prior to the state title. Eyes will be on her as she prepares for the national Miss Teen USA pageant. We will be watching to see if the Texas beauty can continue on her streak and make history again.

This is a partial list of who to watch. Send us a line to tell us who you will be watching in 2019.