Grassroots coalition launches The Big Send effort to send 10 million letters encouraging voters to cast their ballots in the 2020 November elections
Volunteers will write and stockpile 10 million handwritten letters to send to voters before Election Day as part of a Get Out The Vote effort
The Big Send, a major volunteer campaign that aims to send 10 million handwritten letters in October asking voters to cast their ballot in the 2020 elections, will launch today with a coalition of support from grassroots organizations spearheaded by Vote Forward. To meet the goal of 10 million letters, Vote Forward has teamed up with Swing Left, Indivisible, Women’s March Foundation, Stand Up America, genEquality, People for the American Way, Democracy in Color, J Street, and Daily Kos, to strengthen our democracy, improve civic participation, and increase voter turnout in November.
Harris Announces Legislation to Establish Task Force to Combat Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19
U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) on Thursday announced the COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force Act, legislation to bring together health care and other policy experts, community-based organizations, and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial leaders to confront the racial and ethnic disparities of the coronavirus pandemic head on. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the urgent need to address long-standing inequities in our health care system.
Rice to offer minor in entrepreneurship
New program will help students succeed in a world where entrepreneurial capabilities are critical
Rice University, which has the No. 1 graduate entrepreneurship program in the U.S., will now offer an undergraduate minor in entrepreneurship.
Federal Grill Shepherd Drive to Open May 1st Lunch & Dinner Celebrating Cinco de Mayo
Matt Brice, owner of The Federal American Grill, 510 Shepherd Drive (77007) and the newly opened 8731 Katy Freeway, Suite 150 (77024) will re-open the Shepherd Drive location on Friday, May 1 at 11AM serving lunch and dinner.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Stores to Reopen in Arizona and Texas on May 3rd
Tommy Bahama Outlets Also Scheduled to Reopen in Select States
Tommy Bahama has announced it will begin to strategically reopen its retail and restaurant locations across the country. Starting on May 3rd, Tommy Bahama restaurants at the Woodlands and Legacy West in Texas and Kierland Commons in Arizona will begin to offer take-out service.
Another 5,000 masks distributed by Houston Councilman Greg Travis
It is critical these masks are distributed to the most vulnerable residents in District G - this includes the elderly, those with pre-existing medical conditions, and those who cannot afford to purchase masks for themselves or their family. To that end, I will not be haphazardly distributing our limited supply of face masks.
Far from immune, rural areas face unique COVID-19 challenges
Since late last year, COVID-19 has been overwhelming health care facilities in urban areas around the world, causing more than 12,200 confirmed deaths so far in New York City alone.
EPA Grant to Texas Department of Agriculture Will Support Pesticide Safety
Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a grant to the Texas Department of Agriculture for $73,056. The funds will be used to support a variety of pesticide training and inspection programs. EPA is providing the funding as a multipurpose grant under a cooperative agreement.
U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo Appointed for a Second Term
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden has appointed Joy Harjo to serve a second term as the nation’s 23rd Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2020-2021. During her second term, Harjo will launch a new Library of Congress collection and online map featuring Native poets and poetry.
Woodlands Doctors Take Extra Precautions to Safely Re-Open for Patients by Appointment
Doctors Jeffery Pruski, D.C., and Edward Nash, M.D., are taking extra precautions as Texas begins to reopen the economy and they start to open their doors again to patients at 3R Regenerative Repair & Relief (3R) in The Woodlands, Texas.
Star-Studded Music Video Released For "I Am America", The Theme Anthem To HBO's Acclaimed New Unscripted Series We're Here
To celebrate the debut of HBO's acclaimed new unscripted series We're Here, a star-studded music video has been released for Shea Diamond's brand new single "I Am America." Co-written with superstar songwriter & activist Justin Tranter and produced by Eren Cannata, the song serves as the empowering theme anthem for We're Here starring Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O'Hara and Shangela Laquifa Wadley. Glowing reviews for the series have poured in since it's premiere last week:
Tulsa Organizations Announce Campaign to Memorialize Tulsa Race Massacre
The Black Wall Street Memorial committee and Tulsa Community Remembrance Coalition are launching the “10,000 Brick Campaign” throughout May to build a memorial to Black Wall Street in honor of those lynched during the 1921 Race Massacre.
HISD hosts mass food distribution at NRG on Saturday
25 new campus sites also announced for week of May 4
Food distribution efforts led by the Houston Independent School District in partnership with the Houston Food Bank will continue this Saturday at NRG Stadium and next week at 25 campus sites throughout the district.
Downtown District and Buffalo Bayou Partnership Present Virtual Blanket Bingo in May
Traditionally held at Market Square Park, the Downtown District brings back its popular Blanket Bingo series with a virtual twist in light of COVID-19. The free events, hosted by John Mills-McCoin, will take place on Saturday, May 9 and Thursday, May 21. Houstonians are invited to take out their blankets at home, log on to bingomaker.com and play for the chance to win a $50 gift card to a selection of Downtown Houston restaurants.
The Father of Juneteenth, Al Edwards, Has Died at 83
Mayor Sylvester announced earlier today that former state rep. Al Edwards died at the age of 83.
Be A Neighbor Campaign Sounds the Alarm on 6.5M Weekly Volunteer Shortage
Issues Urgent Call-to-Action to Close the #VolunteerGap
Today Be A Neighbor Campaign released new data showing a nationwide shortage of 6.5 million volunteers and issued an urgent call-to-action to close the #VolunteerGap.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Supports Sarah’s House Donation to Aid Area Women, Children
The Bay Area Houston Alumnae Chapter (BAHA) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. recently donated $1,000 to Sarah's House to further the organization's mission to provide safe harbor to women and children who are in immediate need of food, clothing, shelter, safety, and stability.
Welcome Nominated For Best Student Video by the 24th Annual Webby Awards
Serena Dykman and Dynamant Pictures announced today that short drama WELCOME has been nominated for Best Student Video in the 24th Annual Webby Awards. Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet.
SBA determined to get money to smallest of local small businesses
SBA is determined to get critical funds to the smallest of small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program. The Agency began accepting applications for the newest round of funding on Monday, April 27. In 24 hours, SBA approved 475,000 loans for $52 billion dollars, more than seven times the number of loans the Agency normally processes during an entire year, and nearly twice the dollar amount.
Visit San Antonio Provides “Virtual San Antonio” Resources
Visit San Antonio, the city’s official tourism marketing organization, continues to expand “Virtual San Antonio,” a robust site full of San Antonio virtual tours, educational resources, DIY demonstrations, stories of local heroes, cool downloadable tools, and more. As many people “armchair” travel from home, there’s time to dream about the next vacation, the family getaway, the joy and freedom of future travel.

