All results / Stories / Jo-Carolyn Goode
The Art of Gift Giving
Before any bow can be untied or wrapping torn off to see that look of surprise and excitement for what’s inside a lot of planning and thought must take place. One has to make their giftee list and think about what suits people. Gift giving is not easy and truly an art. Never fear as Houston Style Magazine has got you covered this Christmas season with our ultimate gift guide for gifts for her, him, and them.
Houston’s Own Chandler Foreman Is Miss Texas 2019
A win for the US is how Miss Texas 2019 Chandler Foreman describes her historic crowning as the first reigning queen of the Miss America system to wear the crown with natural hair. For years beauty queens were put in a box to be thought of as thin, with straight long blonde hair and blue eyes.
Houston Man Receives 55-Year Prison Sentence for Fatal Shooting Outside Gulf Freeway Club
In a landmark verdict, a 28-year-old man, Luis Alejandro Valencia, has been sentenced to 55 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for the brutal murder of Erik Villeda, a beloved husband and father of two. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, expressing gratitude towards the jury's decision, emphasized the necessity of justice in holding Valencia accountable for his egregious actions.
Justice Served: Child Killer Receives Life Sentence in Landmark Case
In a landmark ruling that reverberated across Houston, a man was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole for the tragic killing of his 8-year-old stepson in 2020. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the verdict, underscoring the commitment to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
Exceeding Carnival Guests’ Expectation with a Listening Ear
As a child, my mother often said the phrase, “You have two ears and one mouth because you need to listen more than you speak.” Well, Arnold Donald, Carnival Corporation’s CEO, must have heard the same thing as a kid since he counts having a listening ear as one of the keys to his success.
Business Style: Meet Ashley Odom, Owner of Omazing Occasions
One lick, two licks, three licks were all it took to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop. Knowing how the flavors would combine in your mouth, slow licking was not an option. You wanted the satisfaction now. However, I have found one lollipop that you will want to lick slowly to really savor and enjoy it. Ashley Odom, the owner of Omazing Occasions, talks to us about how she turned the everyday lollipop into an adult only experience.
Karina Gonzalez: Living Life On Pointe
Not all accidents are mistakes. Some can lead to life-changing outcomes. Ask Houston Ballet’s first Hispanic principal dancer Karina Gonzalez. While tagging along with her mother and older sister to a folk dancing class her mother was given wrong directions. Instead of her sister going to folk dancing class, both girls ending auditioning for a ballet class at the Gustavo Franklin Ballet School in Caracas, Venezuela. As things turned out, Gonzalez was accepted into the school and her sister was not.
Hurry, Houston! Just One Week Left to Savor Girl Scout Cookie Magic!
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council Delights Houstonians with Classic Favorites Until March 24th
Sweet treats, big dreams! The clock is ticking, and there's just one week left to indulge in the delectable delights of Girl Scout Cookies in the Greater Houston area. The Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council (GSSJC) are spreading joy and sweetness until Sunday, March 24th, with their irresistible array of cookies.
CrysTales Taking Chancing to Bring the Funny
How amazing would it be if you could see yourself the way God sees you? This became a repetitious prayer for Crystal Holmes-Montgomery. When she couldn't see herself as God did it made her view narrow and not able to the full picture. For the longest time it seemed God had been sending her a message to add another dimension to herself.
Bill Bellamy is “Married But Single”
Entertainer Bill Bellamy is a man that is constantly evolving. We grew to know him first as a funnyman with the boyish good looks on HBO’s Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam coining the “booty call.” He became a regular on shows on MTV before he branched out into movies. Mastering being in front of the camera, Bellamy flipped the script to go behind the camera to produce. Now Bellamy is expanding his resume, even more, another first, a stage play.
Turning Fear Into Faith: Life After Breast Cancer
Fear and faith are not supposed to coexist. Faith is supposed to conquer all fears. When real life happens faith can waver. Faith can be questioned. Faith can even disappear. Just as easily as faith did all the things above, faith can also comfort. Faith can bring peace. Faith can come back. Shawntell L. McWilliams knows the fear and the faith journey. Six years ago she was forced to face fear and her faith was tested. In the end, her greatest fears were turned into her strongest faith.
Alley Theatre Unveils Exciting 2024-25 Season: Classic Works, World Premieres, and Unforgettable Thrills Await!
Get ready for a season of theatrical brilliance as the Tony Award®-winning Alley Theatre, under the guidance of Artistic Director Rob Melrose, announces its captivating lineup for the 2024-25 season. From timeless classics to exhilarating new works, Houston audiences are in for a treat with an array of productions designed to inspire, entertain, and enthrall.
Sixty-five Years Later & We Are Still Fighting to Vote
In 1957, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave an historic speech to advocate for the voting rights of African Americans in the United States. Calling the denial of African Americans’ right to vote a “tragic betrayal of the highest mandates of our democratic tradition,” Dr. King laid out what would happen if African Americans could vote. Below are excerpts from his “Give Us the Ballot” speech.
Honoring Houston Women in the Pulpit
Women in the pulpit are always a controversial topic in some religious circles. Basing their belief of 1 Timothy 2:12 where Paul writes to Timothy in a letter saying, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.”
Texas Southern University's Fine Arts Week: A Celebration of Talent and Inspiration
Immerse yourself in a week-long celebration of artistic excellence as Texas Southern University (TSU) proudly presents Fine Arts Week 2024. This vibrant event, organized by the Department of Visual and Performing Arts and the Department of Music, pays homage to the transformative power of creativity while honoring the remarkable achievements of TSU alumnus Edwin Lee Gibson, Emmy and SAG Award winner for his role in FX's acclaimed show, The Bear. Join us as we come together to celebrate the arts and showcase the immense talent within our community.
Mecole Hayes: Trailblazing TSU Alumna Shatters Big Brother Boundaries*
In a historic moment that reverberates far beyond the confines of reality television, Mecole Hayes (SOC ’15), a proud alumna of Texas Southern University (TSU), has emerged as a trailblazer, becoming the first HBCU graduate to grace the Big Brother stage. Mecole's remarkable journey from the corridors of TSU to the spotlight of primetime television serves as an inspiration, embodying the resilience, determination, and unyielding spirit of a true pioneer.
5 Thanksgiving Traditions to Adopt and Love
The holidays are one of the few times a year where everyone enjoys looking back to implement activities of yesteryear. You look at how you have changed, how your family has grown, and how you will move forward in the future. Time honored traditions are repeated in the manner in which they have been passed down as those who have passed on are remembered and those who are living teach the next generation to keep the legacy going. Whether big or small every family has at least one Thanksgiving tradition that it cherishes. Houston Style Magazine took a poll to find out what are some of the most popular traditions next to watching football and going to the movies.
Samuel Pena: A Man with A Servant’s Heart
When others run away from the fire, Samuel Pena runs towards it. And he’s been doing it for more than 20 years because he’s a firefighter.
African American Sorority Targeted In Racist Incident at American University
Bring first is certainly not easy. Taylor Dumpson is one who knows. What was supposed to be a wonderful time of celebration and feeling of great accomplishment was turned into something hateful and fearful.
HBCU Spotlight: St. Phillip’s College and Paul Quinn College
We continue our series highlighting the Historical Black Colleges and Universities in Texas. This week we spotlight St. Phillip’s College and Paul Quinn College.
