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Cecilia Smith Austin

Stories by Cecilia

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Natalia Cornelio: With Liberty & Justice For All

A rainy, gloomy day in Houston doesn’t stop attorney Natalia Cornelio from being full of life and energy. In an election year unlike any other, a day filled with conference calls, meetings and campaign initiatives deserves a reset. Cornelio, poised and calm, relayed to that making history in Harris County for Latinas wasn’t a new thing, its begun to be commonplace.

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Texas Giants ‘Lil Keke & Paul Wall Do It For the Culture

What do you do when you’ve done it all? From sold-out shows, a Grammy nomination and even a Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama, Texas legends Paul Wall and original Screwed Up Click (SUC) member, ‘Lil Keke, have truly done it all.

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Kedrick Brown Is Golden

Houston actor, Kedrick Brown, lands guest starring role on the NBC's New Amsterdam.

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Movietopia Rolls Out the Red Carpet In Houston

Step into Movietopia, an interactive film experience filled with plenty of Instagram-worthy opportunities.

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Movietopia Brings Films to Life In Houston

Movietopia delivers an interactive wonderland for movie lovers.

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Mimosamania Hits the Spot In Houston

Mimosamania brings a whole new meaning to Sunday Funday in Houston.

Her “Why:” Local Woman Addressing the Issues of the Community With Non-profit K.Y.C.E.P.

Chasta Winslow is a woman on a mission and passion for helping others - founding Kudos Youth & Community Enrichment Program (K.Y.C.E.P) to bridge the deficit found within Title I schools that serve low-income communities in 2016.

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Mental Health and Stigmas - Breaking Generational Curses with a Mental Health Day

I wasn't sure what to expect after pulling up to the large, unassuming building that held everything from a bank to the office that I was there to visit. Once inside I found the room was cozy and inviting, as I sat on a comfortable couch across from a woman that mostly let me vent for an hour - allowing me to vocalize my thoughts and more as I worked through them. A little over an hour later I left the session oddly satisfied, now wondering why I hadn’t gone through with it sooner.

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Jon B Just Wants Us To "Understand"

Jon B sits down for a one-on-one HSM writer, Cecilia Smith.

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Eric Green Brings Color & Style With Style Made Simple

With a career that’s spanned across the globe - and included partnerships with fashion powerhouses like Armani, Burberry, Cole Haan, Gap, J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, North Face and more - former Charming Charlie Vice President and Executive Creative Director, Eric Samuel Green, has earned a stellar reputation for being a visionary within the industry. And he’s not done yet.

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Creed II Hits the Mark as Jordan Climbs Back Into the Ring

Two things still ring true in America; we love an underdog and a damn good comeback story, items that helped propel the original Rocky into cinematic history. Based on a familiar tale of rags-to-riches mixed with redemption, it’s the film that almost wasn’t, after Hollywood initially balked at the idea of a (then) unknown Sylvester Stallone in the title role.

The Bad Girl of Comedy Gets Candid: Luenell Brings the Heat On & Off the Stage

It’s a November evening in Houston, yet the air is deceptively mild, as a small line begins to form outside of the Houston Improv. Weaving through the crowd and into the building - conversations fade in and out - with some eagerly remembering past shows, and others just ready for a good laugh.

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Actor Kedrick Brown Brings His Own Seat to the Table

Two years ago actor Kedrick Brown was steadily carving out a name for himself, delivering a string of impressive performances in Greenleaf, American Crime, Survivor’s Remorse, Underground and more. Since then the Straight Outta Compton actor has kept that same hunger, landing supporting roles in everything from Black Lightning to the Spike Lee produced Tales From the Hood 2, now available on Netflix. Sitting down with Houston Style again it’s clear that Brown’s passion for his craft has only grown, as he revealed how he’s working to inspire a new generation of actors.

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Linda Johnson Rice Talks About Ebony’s Legacy, the Shift in the Industry, and More

A monthly lifestyle publication, Ebony Magazine has been shining a light on Black entertainment and experiences in America since 1945, earning a place in media history as a major player in the publishing game. No stranger to the industry, since taking over the helm from her late father - founder, John H. Johnson - media mogul Linda Johnson Rice has helped steer the organization into a new era; eventually rising to become the Chair and CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, the powerhouse also responsible for introducing JET Magazine to the world.

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JMBLYA Returns to Houston With a Bang

Three things are officially back in Texas: crawfish, patio weather, and of course, festival season – which unofficially kicked off with Austin’s annual SXSW showcases in March. Over the May 4th weekend the Lone Star State hosted yet another successful event, bringing three days of music to Austin, Dallas, and finally, Houston via the popular JMBLYA festival.

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Camp Kammok Elevates Camping With Annual Retreat

While some live for camping, it’s just not for everyone. From unpredictable weather conditions to various bugs and critters, some people simply prefer the comforts of home versus the great outdoors. Well, I love a good adventure, so I jumped at the chance to cover Camp Kammok, making the trek to Burnet, Texas in search of Reveille Peak Ranch.

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Behind the Scenes of Cirque du Soleil Corteo: High Stakes & Rewards With Jackson "Kaj" Kanukai

One of Cirque du Soleil’s most beloved productions, after wrapping up an exclusive six-performance run at Houston’s Toyota Center, many are wondering just how the masterful performers behind Corteo do it. Featuring 51 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors from across the globe, the theatrical masterpiece has become a fan favorite.

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Fashion & Charity Come Alive At "INCEPTION at the Mansion"

Fashion is alive and well in Houston, bursting with emerging designers and models ready to make their imprint on the Bayou City. I was able to witness this for myself, as Houston native and rising designer Jamel Hawk revealed his 2018 Fall/Winter collection during “INCEPTION at the Mansion,” a charity fashion show created to benefit two worthy causes: Houston Children’s Charity and the No Excuses Foundation.

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Black Panther Pounces On The Screen With Style, Class & Wit

Let’s get straight to the point: when it comes to a Black Panther film, it’s about damn time. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1966 - just a few months before the Black Panther Party was founded - his story starts in Wakanda, a fictional African kingdom rich in technology and an almost indestructible material called vibranium, the same thing found in Captain America’s shield.

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Trae Tha Truth Rescues NBA Star, Others During Hurricane Harvey

Trae Tha Truth sprung into action after being rescued during Hurricane Harvey. The Houston legend managed to rescue more than a few dozen citizens during the week, including an emerging NBA star.

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Bryson Tiller To Set It Off In Houston

Fame rarely comes overnight - a reality most artists are forced to accept early on - but for Kentucky native Bryson Tiller, failure has never been an option. Since debuting his infectious T R A P S O U L album in 2015, he’s been a busy man, ruling the airwaves with hits like “Don’t” and “Exchange.”

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All Eyez On Me Shows Tupac’s Evolving Legacy

Biopics are notoriously hit or miss. For every Ray – there are a dozen others that never should have been made - a visual reminder that not every story can be accurately recreated on screen. When it comes to artists the bar is even higher, raised by the expectations of living family members and anxious fans. So when it comes to the memory of legends like Tupac Shakur, well, the stakes are even higher.

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Gentleman Jack Real to Reel Tour Giving African American Filmmakers The Platform They Deserve

While last year’s #OscarsSoWhite controversy helped launch a national discussion about Hollywood’s lack of diversity, others have taken the issue into their own hands, choosing to change the narrative by writing and telling their own stories.

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Houston Spotlight: The Al Rucker Foundation

Sometimes when the cards are stacked against you, you have to reshuffle the deck. For entrepreneur Al Rucker, shifting his cards has meant constantly evolving; becoming one of Houston’s most prominent entrepreneurs his chief goal.

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Wearable Protection: Aubry Lane Handbags

Pepper spray, a taser or even a concealed handgun; when it comes to self-defense there are plenty of options, but what happens if you’re armed with nothing more than a cell phone? During an emergency, would you have enough time to reach your phone and dial for help?

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Aubry Lane Hangbags Fuse Fashion With Technology

Aubry Lane Handbags not only want to be stylish, they want to be the best being technologically savvy for all.

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Kiana Dancie Talks Comedy, Life And Her New Book

Kiana Dancie returns to Houston, just as opinionated and funny as ever.

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Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Stays True To The Original

Those looking for clues into Marvel entries like Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Infinity War won’t find any major revelations in the second installment of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - and that’s okay. Choosing instead to focus on the thrills and elements that made the original a smash, the crew returns to discover the origins of Peter Jason Quill’s (Chris Pratt) birth.

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America’s Diversity Gets Reflected in New Disney Films

The creator of the magical world of Disney, like many other figures in American history, Walt Disney was a complicated soul. An entire generation grew up with Mickey Mouse and company, as the Disney name expanded into a global brand. But despite the success, the brand has not been exempt from criticism, thanks in part to racist characters and tired stereotypes once seen in hits like 1941’s Dumbo or the blatantly offensive, Songs of the South.

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Demi Lovato Take Control of the Houston Rodeo

On Tuesday night, songstress Demi Lovato made a triumphant return to RodeoHouston’s famous rotating stage.

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Jordin Sparks Pumps It Up At the NFL Experience: Play 360 Kids Day

Before the Patriots completed the biggest upset in NFL history, it was the kids turn to take the field; as over 1,000 Houston area kids flooded into the George R. Brown Convention Center for “NFL Experience: Play 360 Kids Day.” Held during this year’s “NFL Experience Driven by Genesis” festivities, students were given the opportunity to spend time with some of their favorite NFL players as they took part in quarterback challenge games, mobility drills and more.

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SuperBOLD Luncheon Celebrates & Embraces Women BOSSES

All it takes is an idea, and the tenacity to see it through.

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SuperBOLD

Whether juggling the demands of a career, a growing family or even both, it’s nearly impossible to find a healthy balance between work and home but us women are resilient and we seem to be able to accomplish the task with stride. We take risks each and every day; risks to create and build the life we want to lead. Venturing out into entrepreneurship is a difficult decision, requiring tenacity as well as the ability to accept that failure is, at times, inevitable. However, when our dreams come to fruition and it is successful, what an amazing feeling of accomplishment!