This past year has not only shined a spotlight on interactions between law enforcement and people of color, but also underserved or marginalized communities. During the in-depth conversation with Turner about the last year, he spoke about community investment. Born in Houston’s Acres Homes, Turner still lives there, and understands the need.

““Since I’ve been mayor, I’ve dealt with one crisis after another,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “I recognize the conditions that exist,” he said. “That’s why, when I came into office in 2016, on Jan. 4, 2016, when I was sworn in, I didn’t want to be the mayor of two cities in one. Cities of haves and have nots. And that’s why we started this initiative called Complete Communities.”

He pushed for public and private partnerships to invest in housing, shopping, schools, and parks to narrow the gap. Issues that became part of the central argument from demonstrators across the country and those here in Houston, who demanded change peacefully.

“There are areas, there are communities that have been underserved,” Turner said. “Marginal communities, and unless we invest in these communities in a real, substantive, transformational way, the next time, it could be worse.”

He believes among the many things we should take from this past year, as we move forward, we should bring along a better understanding of those communities. He said there is an investment opportunity everywhere.

“We’ve gotten more attention though since the death of George Floyd,” he said. “And when you invest in these neighborhoods, then you reduce the shocks and the stresses in these neighborhoods, which will reduce your need to have even greater policing.”

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