Millions Show Selfishness By Not Social Distancing
How selfish can you be? There are 5.64 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide with the United States accounting for 1.72 million of them. Still you choose not to follow the rules. The US leads the world in the number of coronavirus deaths toppling over 100,000. Yet, still you choose not to follow the rules. Even though you know the coronavirus is a respiratory disease that is highly contagious and does not discriminate or show any mercy to those who are infected.
Contact Tracing: The New Tool in Fighting COVID-19
As a child, I remember playing a game called Connect the Dots. It was a game with the concept of drawing a line from one dot to another in chronically order to form a picture. What was just something for me to do is now a leading tool in the battle to flatten the curve and stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Friends vs. Foes: Know the Difference to Protect Yourself Against COVID-19
Whodini’s 1984 #4 single on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart questioned what a friend is. The group goes on to say that some use the word in the wrong way and even the dictionary doesn’t know the true meaning of the word. Perhaps, many of us don’t know the meaning of friends either.
Jogging While Black: Justice for Ahmaud Arbery
Imagine waking up energized and refreshed and you think it is a great day for a jog. You grab your workout gear to hit the ground running. After a quick warm-up, you pick up the pace, breathing in and out, and enjoy the peace. While running a father eyes you suspiciously, thinking you are the serial burglar terrorizing their “good community.” The father yells for his son to issue their brand of justice. Thirty-six seconds later, you lay on the ground in a pool of blood and take your last breath.
Mandatory Masks: Living the New Normal
“We are still in the thick of it,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo at a press conference where she gave updates about the state of the county during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the curve seems to be flattening, Houston has yet to reach its peak and new admissions of patients with the coronavirus are still occurring. This information coupled with research from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and others is of great concern for Judge Hidalgo and other leaders to the point that they can’t comfortably relax any precautionary measures that they have already taken. Saving lives is always at the forefront of Judge Hidalgo’s mind in every decision made in this crisis and why she issued a mandatory mask order on April 22nd.
Risky Behavior: What Is Proper Social Distancing?
Taking risks involves belief in a plan and courage to follow it up with action. Then there are times when taking risks means ignoring information and living life carelessly. Tons of people are adhering to the Stay Home Order, wearing masks in public, and washing your hands frequently. But then there are those who don’t follow the rules, who questioned authority, and always do what they want regardless.
The Good From COVID-19 Social Distancing
No need to pinch yourself or splash cold water on your face. You are not dreaming but are living in an altered reality. We are in the middle of a worldwide pandemic that is wreaking havoc in the world, taking millions of lives, draining the economy, and keeping us indoors. By now you are well aware of what COVID-19 is, the symptoms, and how it spreads. All the negatives are out there but how about a dose of positivity?
Mayor Turner Calls for a Day of Prayer in Houston
In times of crisis, no one wants to be along. We find comfort in leaning on each other. A sense of peace and protection comes over our bodies when we feel we are not alone. As more questions than answers fill our head we can become stressed, unglued, and lose our focus.
Census 2020: Yes, I’m In
In the wake of seeing if we have a temperature with a prolonged cough, trying to find water and supplies and ensuring we are wearing masks in public, something may have slipped your mind, the 2020 Census. Earlier this month residents across the country received an invitation to participate in the 2020 U.S. Census. It is the population count that occurs every 10 years that counts every living person in the country.
Coronavirus: The Background, The Spread, And The Pandemic
In 2019, Americans were still on a holly high and jolly joy as we put away gifts that were once under the tree and took down our Christmas trimmings to welcome in a New Year. We were preparing to sweep out the old and welcome in the new with visions of peace and prosperity because this was our year! Little did we know that soon our world would be flipped upside down filled with worldwide panic and fear unlike any of us have seen in our lifetime with the coronavirus pandemic.
Turning Problems Into Purpose: Teen Entrepreneur Celebrates 10 Years of Business Success
On a hot day, nothing beats a nice tall glass of ice cold lemonade. That perfect blend of lemony tartness with the right amount of sweetness is the best pop to any day. Now take that combination and pair it with a child's curiosity and an unfortunate experience and you get a million dollar idea.
The Emergence of Butterfly Ali
Butterflies are some of nature’s most beautiful creatures mainly for their various phases of life that allow them to transform through a process called metamorphosis. Humans are like butterflies too constantly changing to reinvent themselves.
Remembering A Giant Amongst Us: Faye B. Bryant
One of Houston's luminary figures in education and service to others has passed away at the age of 82.
Don’t Waste Your Right to Vote
American men have always had the right to vote. Even though some women were able to vote starting in 1869 in a few states, females didn’t officially get the right to vote across the U.S. until 1919 with the passage of the 19th amendment. African Americans, who were once thought of as property and not people, wouldn’t get certain rights until the passage of the 14th and 15th amendments.
Presidential Troubles Swirl at TSU
Students, faculty, and alumni know all roads lead to Texas Southern University but apparently not for ousted university president Dr. Austin Lane. After a five hour closed door meeting, the Board of Regents voted 6-1 to remove Lane from office early Wednesday morning.
Coming Out of the Shadows of Human Trafficking
Human trafficking affects the most vulnerable among us. Potential victims could be the waitress who serves you at your favorite restaurant, the nurse who drew your blood at the doctor, or even your daughter’s friend on the cheerleading team. Traffickers exert such control and psychological manipulation that victims think they are nothing without their abuser. However, with the right help, victims can emerge from the shadows and reclaim their life and worth.
Houston Teen Lives Out Her Dreams With Lizzo at the Grammy’s
What were you doing at 17? Certainly not dancing on the stage at the Grammy’s for one of today’s hottest stars. That was the reality for a Sugar Land teen this past Sunday at the 62nd Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles, CA. Now she is trying to climb down from the cloud she has been floating on ever since her big moment. One day she is an average teen chasing her dreams and the next she is living them.
Inspiring Millions Giving Voice to the Diversity of Opera
A party is always better when surrounded by friends. American born tenor Lawrence Brownlee returned to Houston to share his talent along with a few of his friends. International stars J’Nai Bridges, Nicole Heaston, Reginald Smith Jr., Russell Thomas, Nicholas Newton and Kevin Miller (piano) joined Brownlee on the Wortham Theater stage for Giving Voice: Lawrence Brownlee and Friends Sing Opera, Gospel, and Standards showcased the power of voice and song.
Stop the Spread of Hate to Honor a King
Love has many definitions. The Holy Bible describes it as patient, kind, protecting, trusting, hopeful, preserving, and without the capability of failing. Webster’s Dictionary also has several meanings of love. It is defined as something that commands admiration, passionate affection for someone, friendship, courtship, reverence to God, and gratitude. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” Love, ultimately, is powerful when people take action to utilize its energy.
Turner Sworn In for Second Term
Sylvester Turner officially began his second term as mayor for the city of Houston when he, City Controller Chris Brown, and Houston City Council were sworn in on January 2, 2020, before a packed house at the Wortham Theater. Mayor Turner won the honor of continuing to lead Houston after defeating opponent Tony Buzbee in the run-off election.
Chart Your Vision in 2020
Each year is an opportunity to reset your life. Start with examining the past year looking at your accomplishments with the goals you set in correlations with your failures. Asking yourself questions like “Are you happy with the progress or lack thereof that you made?” “How could you have done things differently?” “What do you need to do now?” The last question is most important because that is when the reset starts. That is when you get a new vision and start to make new goals. Once that develops in your mind it is time for them to take form visually on paper with the creation of your vision board for 2020.
Most Stylish Houstonians of 2019
Houstonians are known throughout the world for their generosity and how they help their fellow man in a disaster. Rarely seen are the philanthropic efforts of Houstonians who just see a need and provide a solution. Those that excel professionally while still giving back in extraordinary ways are who we call most stylish.
The Year of the Minority Woman
In this era where women are more self-assured, self-aware, and self-loving has resulted in women claiming their place in history. The script of women not having their voice heard has been rewritten with women leading the conversation instead of taking notes from it. Being a part of the discussion has allowed women to change the dialogue, change the world’s view of gender and change the space in which women find themselves. 2019 was a great year for the advancement of women in various areas. Houston Style Magazine takes a look at some of the women that made 2019 the Year of the Minority Woman. What a year for women!
Her Royal Highness: 2019 Minority Homecoming Queens
Queen, as defined, is one who is the ruler of an independent state. Put that in perspective of a high school queen and she can be seen as the ruler of her school with the influence to change it for the bad or good so why not inject some good. As Houston Style Magazine spotlights some of this year’s African American and Hispanic Houston ISD high school homecoming queens we go behind the crown to learn how they have used their platform to reign supreme as her royal highness.
The Changing Definition of Beauty
Pulling the naps out of our hair with a comb that is blazing at 149 degrees Fahrenheit. Starving ourselves, going under the knife, duck taping our body parts just to minimize the size of our breasts, butt, and hips so we could be looked at as the perfect sized woman as defined by America culture. Looking in the mirror trying to find the beauty in the face staring back when we have been brainwashed to think that beauty is everything but what we see reflected in the mirror. This is just some of what little Black girls go through growing up that results in low self-confidence and a lack of self-love.
Visit Houston: Give Your Family Something to Talk About
After some hugs, a few laughs, and a good meal visiting family can get restless. A survey conducted by Motel 6 showed that the average American can tolerate their family for only 4 hours; with 75% saying that after 4 hours (3 hours and 54 minutes to be exact), they need a break from their families. Instead of lounging around waiting on them to return to their respective homes, distract them with the beauty of Houston. As residents of the fourth largest city in the South, we can sometimes take for granted all the gems our city has to offer and some of us may not even know everything in our backyard because we stay confined in our own little bubble. Use this holiday season to discover or reconnect to your city, all while giving you’re visiting family something to go home and talk about.
Adoption: Expand Your Family This Holiday
Three to four million children are born in the United States each year. Of that number approximately 7,000 plus are abandoned. Having no family to love them or a place stay they grow up in the foster care system. On average a child stays in the system 2 to 5 years and some longer than that. Feelings of not being wanted and what is wrong with them cloud their judgment and damage their self-esteem. Foster parents can change that outlook for children with the basics of love, shelter, and food and expand their family this holiday season.
Chevrolet Blazer: The Personality Equalizer
Selecting a team to be suit your personality is half the battle in any fight. Team luxury is always dressed like they are stepping off the runway heading somewhere exotic. Team Laid-back is carefree wearing whatever is comfortable taking life as it comes. A vehicle that can meet the needs of Team Luxury and Team Laid-back has a lot of versatility to address the needs of multiple personalities. The new Chevrolet Blazer is the personality equalizer.
Lizzo Winning On All Levels
In a race, everyone sets out to be the winner. Although there is only one official winner once the race is done there are many ways to win a race. One can win by beating their previous score or time. One can win because they never gave up. Winning can be as simple as entering the race in the first place. However, you define a win makes you are a winner. R&B rap artist Lizzo is having one winning year racking up awards, accolades, and acclaims everywhere she goes.
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.
Study of Houston’s Third Ward Reveal Solutions for the Future
African Americans face many disparities as an ethnic group. As it relates to health, African Americans are at an above average risk than any other racial group to be diagnosed with Diabetes, kidney disease, asthma, sarcoidosis, stroke, high blood pressure, and cancer. Census results indicate that African Americans are the second highest racial group behind Hispanics living with below average income. With a low income means that families don’t have access to better housing and other neighborhood amenities like grocery stores for good nutrition, schools for excellent education, and hospital for good healthcare.
Holding Players More Accountable for Their Actions
Manny Ramirez, Jose’ Canseco, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, and Bobby Cox are some of the many professional athletes in baseball that have been charged with domestic violence at least once. Despite the charge, some of them continued to have careers in the game after paying penalties.
Who Will Be Next to Lead Houston?
Eleven candidates have stepped up willing and ready to lead Houston into the future. All seem to agree that one of the top priorities to get the city on track is to fix the infrastructure, tackle the pay for firefighters and police officers, and use taxpayers’ money efficiently. The various ways to handle those problems is where they differ. Houston Style has examined the slate and broken down the platforms of the top 5 mayoral candidates. All that is left is for you to go to the polls and vote. Early voting is from October 21-November 1, 2019 and Election Day is November 5, 2019.
Priscilla Shirer: Ministering Through Acting in Overcomer
Call her an author. Call her an actress. Ask Priscilla Shirer what she is and she will say a minister, a teacher, someone trying to bring souls to know Jesus Christ. That is who she is at her core. Everything she does centers around that sole purpose. Connecting ministry to acting seems like a stretch when thinking of it in the mainstream of pure entertainment. However, changing your perspective to focus on the content of material rather than the entertainment factor and connecting the dots between the two is easy.
NRG: ‘The Culinary Capital of the South’
Houston Texans President Jamey Rootes is issuing an invitation to all football fans to a “Taste of Houston, the Culinary Capital of the South.” Rootes put out the call during the unveiling of all that was new NRG stadium this year. Suite renovations, new concession items, designer clothing collection for women, touchdown deals, and an app makeover, Texans’ fans will have an experience that is sweeter to lounge in, tastier to the palette, and easier to navigate during the 2019 season.
MangagementRings: The Engaging New Trend for Grooms-to-Be
In the distance, the sun sets as the night breeze blows. The scenery is picturesque as the love of your life utters those four little life-changing words filled with passion, power, and purpose, “Will you marry me?” And as your eyes get cloudy from tears you get a glance at your ring and melt. It’s the moment a majority of women hope and pray for and apparently some men too. Millennials are always changing the game and here is something else that they are adding their flair to, men engagement. That was not a typo. More and more millennial are riding the trend stating they want the world to know that they are engaged too.
Five of Houston’s Most Unique Wedding Venues
Going to the chapel is becoming outdated for today’s couples. More and more newly engaged brides and grooms are looking to wed at places that speak to who they are on a personal level and really uniqueness to their nuptials. Out-of-the box venues like greenhouses, wineries, distillers, breweries, barns, lofts, museums, air terminals, fire stations, castles, and secret oasis are what couples are seeking. Below are some of Houston’s most unique venues.
White Or Not: Wedding Dress Designer Greggs Takes Tradition Contemporary
The idea of the first draft starts to formulate at a young age. As your opinion changes, adjustments are made with the passage of time. Finally, the moment comes when the final rendition is made. Some call it the most important garment that you will ever wear. It’s your wedding day attire. Be it long or short, dress or pants, white or colored, your wedding day, of all things, must be special, unique, and make you feel amazing.
Houston Based Mother and Sons Company Wins Grand Prize in H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best
Browsing the shelves of H-E-B is a real treat for the eyes and especially for the stomach. One never knows what they might see. Red velvet pancakes, green chile mac n cheese, a variety of afia falafel, shopping at H-E-B is never boring as their products are uniquely authentic. Thanks in part to one of their annual competitions that puts out the call for new products from across the state from budding entrepreneurs.
The Hungry Free Summer
School bells ringing are a bigger relief for some families than just getting children out of the house. It means that their children will have two well-balanced meals a day at school. One in six children across America doesn’t know where their next meal will come from. Texas is a distant 43rd for children’s overall well-being with a devastating 25% of the children living in poverty. Houston ranks second in the nation for children living with food insecurity. Harris County has the second highest rate of child food insecurity in the nation. A hungry free summer seems unobtainable but in summer 2019 it was made possible.
Hunger Free Summer Initiative Dishes Out 400K Meals
Growing children need the basics – food, shelter, and water. Simple yet complicated at the same time. Simple as these are common that many have access to but not all can obtain due to life circumstances. This setup is not good for any human being but it is especially detrimental to children in their early years of life.
Alpha Kappa Omega Presents 21 Young Ladies in Society Debut
The energy was electric as 21 young ladies jubilantly twirled in circles, nervously practiced their curtseys and carefully walked to ensure no missteps would be taken before they made their official debut at the biennial debutante ball hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter. Each debutante’s brains, beauty, and benevolence were celebrated as “Royal Roses of Excellence” before a wall-to-wall crowd of onlookers and well wishers.
Houstonian Style: Barefield’s Battle Against Colon Cancer and Mental Health
Making sacrifices is a selfless act that requires one to put others before their own needs. Jamila Barefield championed herself as a sacrifice for the benefit of those suffering from colon cancer.
Tips to Excel Beyond Expectations This School Year
Books, pens, and your favorite device are in your backpack. New clothes hang in your closet. Lunches with healthy protein and nutritious sides have been planned. And your hair is done too. You are ready to go back-to-school, right? Partially right. If you have not put in any thought or effort into planning how this school year will be a success then you are not ready.
Mental Health: Comprehending, Coping, and Conquering
More than a feeling of melancholy, anxiety, and disconnect, mental health encompasses your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Meaning it affects how you think, feel, and behave. Mental health can affect anyone, at any age, at any time. Nearly 44 million people experience mental illness yearly. Of those, 18% of them are children who experience at least one severe mental disorder according to reports. Good news is that mental health is treatable and preventable.
Celebrating the Life of Lestine Goode
Lestine Goode was a devote Christian, family man, and most importantly, my daddy. He ran the race and fought the good fight but sadly succumbed to his illness. He was laid to rest on July 24, 2019, after having a funeral worthy of the distinguished man he was. Read more about the man who not only taught me lessons to live by but also to many other children across the city under his tutelage.
Business Style: Meet LaTanya Graham, Owner of Tailormade Resume and Career Advising
Before the corner office can be decorated, the six figure salary earned or the close of your first major deal can happen one must first land the job. Separating yourself from the pool of candidates to get the interview takes more than skill. One must know their best assets and sell them in the first thing employers touch, our resume.
Local Girl Stars in TUTS' Seussical
Tap into a child’s imagination and there is no wonder what they might conjure. An oversized one-eyed yellow monster with feet for hands, people with orange Mohawks, blue faces, and green fangs instead of teeth or maybe a dog that meows instead of barks while his tail gets longer. That’s the beauty of a child.
Community Corner: Emancipation Park: An Historical Treasure of Houston
Tired of feeling captive, a group of former slaves utilized their resources and talents to raised $1,000 to buy 10 acres of land in Houston 147 years ago to create a space where they could just be free. The space would become Emancipation Park, the central hub of generations coming together with a sense of community. Passing years has seen the park at its ups and downs causing it to be revitalized in 2006 by TIRZ7 and again this year with a $33 million renovation.
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.
