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.
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.
The Links of Pearland Celebrate Five Years of Service and Friendship
For 5-year-anniversaries the traditional gift is usually something made of wood or silver. Wood symbolizes strength and durability while silver symbolizes a close knit bond. Strength, durability and a close bond are excellent ways to describe the Greater Pearland Area Chapter of The Links, Inc. With commitment and compassion wrapped up in service and friendship, the ladies have been fulfilling their purpose and mission in Brazoria County for the past five years and they are ready to celebrate their efforts.
Bushwick Bill Dead at 52 Due to Pancreatic Cancer
One incident can change the course of life. Before Bushwick Bill got shot in the eye, he didn’t think he had much to live for. He told us so in the lyrics of his 1992 hit “Ever So Clear.” Claiming the life of that of a misfit and outcast, he often questioned his purpose for living day-to-day. However, music and his personal story changed that for him. He found his purpose and everything became so clear.
Stay Safe This Summer
The onset of summer means that our children are idle. All of that added free time presents lots of opportunities to get in trouble and be careless, as children get involved in activities to occupy their mind. Swimming, biking, and being outdoors are among the most popular but also raise a number of safety concerns for our children.
McGowan Is First African American Valedictorian at St. Thomas High School
Doing something that no one has done before is a task with no blueprint. Although Kellin McGowan did have somewhat of a guide on his quest to become the first African-American valedictorian in the history of St. Thomas High School, his rich family legacy of achievements was all he needed.
Class of 2019: Saluting African American and Hispanic High School Valedictorians
Twelve years (13 if you include Kindergarten) of school makes the hassle definitely worth the tassel. High school seniors across our city don the ceremonial cap and gown for one of the most important walks of their life, the walk to receive their diploma. With bright smiles and wide eyes, they accept their diploma in their right hand and turn their tassel with their left hand.
Kaylah Sharve’ Is a Star On the Rise
Kaylah Sharve has to pinch herself these days to make sure she is not dreaming. The 20-year-old is having the time of her life living out the things she has imagined herself doing for years. As part of the hottest new female group, Citizen Queen, Kaylah is growing her fan base, traveling on a 45-city tour, and celebrating her new recording contract.
Improving the Lives of Mothers Through Health and Wellness
Falling is a part of life. Staying down is not. Before 2013, LoRon White was always in the game despite his small stature. He had big dreams of playing basketball professionally. However, an injury of a ruptured tendon in his leg would stifle those dreams. That could have taken him out but White turned tragedy into triumph. After his surgery to repair his leg, White began intense therapy and started working on his physique.
Finding the Perfect Gift for Mom
Finding the perfect gift for the woman who has given you everything is daunting. You spend too much money and she’ll say you shouldn't have. You spend too little and you think you have cheapened what she means to you. The experience is enough to make you go crazy but don't. Houston Style Magazine has taken the guesswork out of gift giving by going straight to the source, mothers.
Train a Child, Reach a Parent, Represent Well
Proverbs 22:6 states, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Either today’s generations missed a lesson or two or never learned it all but the lesson of knowing how to represent yourself well publically has been lost. Gone are the rules for wearing what is right.
Teacher Turn Comedian Eddie B
"I'm Already Professionally Developed: Straight From the Teacher's Desk," is a book about Eddie B’s journey as a teacher on the way to the creation of the videos “What Teachers Really Say” and how the idea turned into one of the biggest comedy tours in history. “I share my personal experiences in the classroom as well as my home life! It all ties into the issues and desires of teachers who want to see better days; the ones who are really passionate about changing the narrative of this profession. We deal with so much!” Eddie B commented.
Pageant World Is More Than What’s Seen at Miss Ultimate Beauty of America
Misconceptions of beauty pageants are plentiful. Lots of beautiful women standing at a perfect angle with bountiful curls, precisely applied make-up, wearing the most intricate of materials awaiting the perfect score from someone who knows absolutely nothing about who they really are.
HBCU Spotlight: Jarvis Christian College, Southwestern Christian College, and Texas College
As we end Historically Black Colleges and Universities Awareness Month, we conclude by taking a look at our last three HBCUs in Texas.
Weighing In On the Healthcare Debate: Hot Button Issue of 2020 Election
About fifteen years ago, I became painfully aware of how crucial the healthcare topic is. After all, something is not on top of your priority list until it hits you close at home right. Before being diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, I viewed health insurance as something all Americans had for those “just in case something happens moments.” I only really used my health insurance for check-ups and prescriptions for antibiotics for common viruses and bacteria. I thanked God that I never really had anything too serious growing up. As the saying goes, we are all one moment from a tragedy or sickness.
Fashion and Fellowship Bring the Faithful to the 2019 Audrey H. Lawson IMPACT Awards
Church folks are known are stepping high wearing their Sunday’s Best for the Lord on His day. Well, the family and friends of the Wheeler Avenue Inner City Visions Women’s Guild prove that Sunday’s Best can make a Saturday appearance, as well as the fashions, were fierce at the annual the 2019 Audrey H. Lawson IMPACT Awards Luncheon and Fashion Show. For 56 years blessings have poured out of this organization to provide scholarships for college students, help for the homeless, housing for the elderly, and other philanthropic projects following the ideals and heart of visionary founder Audrey H. Lawson.
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.
HBCUs Spotlight: Huston-Tillotson University and Wiley College
HBCUs in Texas contribute $1.3 billion to Texas’ economy according to uncf.org. That alone lets one know how vital they are to our society. This week we look into the history of Huston-Tillotson University and Wiley College for HBCU Awareness Month.
Michael B. Jordan On Protecting His Center
Close your eyes. Clear your mind. Take a really deep breath in. How calming is that? For some that quick exercise is all that is needed to recharge or do a little mini escape from the craziness of the day. That exercise is a way of reminding yourself to not stress and calm down.
HBCUs Spotlight: Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University
Today’s African Americans are living out loud the educational dreams of their ancestors. Segregation for far too long denied so many African Americans even the opportunity to learn. And to now be able to attend any college that one wants is just a dream that those back then never could have realized.
Meet Houston’s Female Power Producers
Power. What does it mean to have it? How would you use it? Power is more than having beefed up muscle arms of steel. Power is about making what you can’t see visible. Power is being able to inspire another person through your influence.
New Bill Proposes Separation of Law School From TSU
Texas Southern University alums and supporters are raising concerns on both sides of a major issue that calls for the separation of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law as an independent entity from the university. It is a new bill, HB 2383, proposed by State Representative Harold Dutton.
Oscars Finally Getting It Right
Stand up and give the Oscars a round of applause. Kudos to the Oscars first off for one of if not the shortest show with no hosts. It was time out for all the not so funny, unnecessary bits and outfit changes that drugged out shows in the past.
Millennials On the Move: Building Inspiration Through Goal Setting
Getting started is the most important step in any process. Coming up with the idea and even the plans for it can be a smooth endeavor but actually taking the step to act on the plan and put it in the universe can be scary. Will it fail? Will it succeed? All sorts of thoughts swirl in your head until you finally have to stop all the noise, move out of your own way, and go for it. This is a struggle Kayla Starr Simmons is familiar with. Two years ago she made a decision to act on a plan that has changed the course of her life.
Save Our HBCUs
Education is a gift that once obtained can’t be taken away. It can open doors to opportunities to advance one personally and professionally. Far from easy to obtain, it is treasured as many scrimp, save, and sacrifice so much just to acquire the basics of it. Knowing the importance and its worth, what if your education’s creditability was in some way threatened?
Black Owned Businesses Continue to Bring Dignity to Death
There is one thing all people have in common. We all will be born and we will die. Death is such a delicate subject that families need someone to help them ease through the process of all the decision making that has to be done to plan out a proper burial. For many families in the Houston area, the ones that they often turn to are the folks at McCoy & Harrison Funeral Home and O.W. Wiley Mortuary.
Judge Erica Hughes: Ruler of the Court
Erica Hughes can’t stop smiling these days. She did a lot of smiling on the campaign trail when she was running for criminal court judge. A huge smile was on her face when the election results revealed she had won. The smile got bigger when she took the oath of office. And now that she is on the bench, Judge Hughes couldn’t make her smile go away even if she tried.
Finding Hope to Fuel Your Professional and Personal Passion
It is better to be called to the front of the room than to be in the front of the room and called back is a quote that I keep in my database because of the truth it holds. When natural gas trader turned businesswoman Miara Shaw first started on her entrepreneurial journey she loved operating in the shadows of her business. Happier to put her clients in the spotlight, Shaw wanted to simply utilize her network to connect women who needed resources with those who had them.
Stand Together to Honor a King
Anywhere there was a fight against an injustice Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would go. In April of 1968, King found himself in Memphis, TN taking on the case of sanitation workers who were working in life threatening conditions for little to no money.
The Winning Formula for Black Businesses
Winning takes work. One has to put in some real sweat equity in crafting a plan, executing it and seeing it through for any hope of positive results. Going at it alone is possible but success will be harder to come by doing it that way. The ultimate reward will take the combined efforts of many to overcome.
Twelve African American Men Achieve Highest Rank in Boy Scouting
Since 1910, the Boy Scouts of America have operated at a level of achieving nothing less than their best to honor God, serve their country, and obey the Scout Law. In doing so millions of young men have grown to be “physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
Burgers and Brew: The Perfect Pair at Hopdoddy
How do you take the everyday burger and make it better? Start with fresh ingredients, homemade buns, farm-raised beef, and a creative mind to think of something different. And there you have Hopdoddy, an Austin based burger bar that is taking burgers to the next level.
Who to Watch in 2019
Houstonians won’t soon forget 2018. It was the year of surprise upsets as a number Democrats unseated long term Republicans resulting in the first Latina and woman Harris County Judge, Lina Hidalgo; County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, first African American mayor of Missouri City, Yolanda Ford; Fort Bend County’s first African American district attorney, Brian Middleton, first Latina in Congress, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia; and the Black girl magic of 19 female judges
Kwanzaa: What You Didn’t Know
We have decked the halls, jingled the bells, and sung the carols but there is still more holiday celebration. After Christmas comes the season of Kwanzaa. Founded in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa is a holiday based on African principles and is celebrated from December 26 to January 1. Most are familiar with the seven principles but may not be knowledgeable about other aspects of the holiday. Continue reading to find out what you don’t know about Kwanzaa.
Wrapping Up the Ultimate Holiday Party
Oh no! Its five days before Christmas and you’re hosting but haven’t planned a thing. Time snuck up on you. Before you panic and pull your hair out, stop, breathe, and get ready to take some notes. Houston Style Magazine put on our party planner hat to bring you all the necessary details to make your list and check it twice to throw the ultimate holiday party at the last minute.
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.
Kennedy Edwards Is First African American Miss Texas Teen USA
In speaking with eighteen-year-old Kennedy Edwards one thing is definitely clear. Her goal in whatever she does is to strive for excellence and nothing short thereof. In every undertaking, she puts her all in to give the best performance that she can produce at that given time and at that precise moment.
Being Grateful and Thankful for Others
Life without others in it is pretty pointless. The difficult nature of it requires others to bring stability, joy, and balance. People are the ones who offer you love, support, and share in your joys and pain. Others make life less strenuous. Notice I said gratitude and not thankfulness. Though we tend to use grateful and thankful interchangeable they are not the same.
Inner City Nutcracker Keeps Fine Arts Alive for Houston’s Kids
Having a vision for something that has never been done takes more than imagination. It takes passion and a can’t stop attitude. Imagination is needed so that even though no one that looks like you is doing the desire profession you can still see you, not someone that looks like you, but the actual you, not just doing it, but killing it like no other person regardless of sex or ethnicity. A passion that burns so deep and fierce that eating, sleeping, and breathing it is the bare minimum of what you do to succeed.
Midterm Elections 2018: The Year of Women
“Make America Great Again” was the promise Donald Trump made two years ago when he became the leader of the free world. Improved health care, a better economy, and a border wall paid for by Mexico were on our horizon. What we got was scandalous investigations, corrupt international relations, and a flood of offensives that would have caused the start of impeachment hearings for any other seating US President. Trump’s racist rants and loathly lies have divided America versus bringing us together. America’s outlook was bleak rather than bright. Then midterms roll around and Americans who had enough of Trump ran, not walked, to the polls to turn lands that were once red, blue (or almost blue) again. Now with this shift in power, will America rise from the ashes of hate and stagnation to finally allow love and progress to prevail? If that happens then America can truly be great.
From the Classroom to the Stage: Eddie B Takes His Comedy On the Road
Teachers are some of the most underpaid and underappreciated individuals but they are not underproductive. Being that this is the situation of teachers, they naturally have some frustrations, a few complaints, and a lot of headaches about their job. However, there is not an outlet for them to be able to release such aggravation until Eddie B became their voice.
Jocko Sims Breaks All the Rules On NBC’s New Amsterdam
Rules were made to be followed, not broken. Someone forgot to tell the doctors at New York’s New Amsterdam Hospital, a fictional hospital that is the setting for NBC’s new medical drama New Amsterdam, who are breaking all the rules to give patients the best care possible. Dubbed as America’s oldest public hospital, no one is ever turned away regardless of finances, condition, race, gender, or anything. If you need assistance, they say “How can I help?”
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.
Glad to See the 2018 Fiat 500L Trekking
Knock, knock. Who’s there? Orange. Orange who? Orange you glad to see me.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated - Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter Kicks Off 90th Anniversary Celebration
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated have been caretakers of their community. In the Houston area, the members of the Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter have been addressing the needs and issues of their surrounding area for 90 years making lasting impacts that affect the lives of individuals and families. Now the ladies are celebrating the legacy of their sisterhood and their service to Houston with a four-month celebration of activities leading to the grand finale, the 90th Anniversary Gala on December 15th.
Volkswagen Passat GT: A New Version of Cool
What is cool is ever changing as it is defined by a generation. Trends in music, fashion, and language help to bring meaning to “being cool.” Topping that list are cars, specifically sports cars. They are fast, fierce, and oh so fun to drive. Nothing could be cooler. For a week, I got to sit in the driver’s seat of Volkswagen’s sporty mid-size sedan, the 2018 Volkswagen Passat GT V6 and learned how it is a new version of cool.
Christina Morales: Proud of Her Heritage, Proud of Her Story
Being told that you are not good enough just because of your skin color is damaging to anyone no matter their race or age. It leads to far greater issues down the line. Having pride in your cultural heritage helps to build self-confidence and self-love while also claiming ownership of your ancestry and honoring the sacrifices, work, and love of those who came before you.
Suicide Prevention Starts With You
“The faster you move, the less pain you endure,” is something seventeen-year-old Ashley Jadine Duncan posted on social media. Looking deeper into that statement and one can see the truth behind it. In today’s society everyone is moving so fast and in so many directions not only do you endure less pain but also you don’t feel, touch, hear or see it either.
Evolution Academy: The School of Second Chances
Second chances are a gift. They are your do over to execute the lesson learned from your first opportunity. Since they are also rare any chance you get one, it shouldn’t be wasted but utilize for everything its worth.
