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.
Cadillac CT6 Platinum: The Coolest Thing On Four Wheels
Since the 1920s mankind has been experimenting with autonomous driving. Nearly 60 years passed before the first real prototype with the technology was produced. Many more would debut just a little better than the last. Today autonomous driving has moved from the labs and test tracks to the roads and highways of the world. Lucky for me that I got to try out this hands-free driving technology behind the wheel of the 2018 Cadillac CT6 Platinum AWD.
Yellowstone Schools Gives Students More Than a Traditional Education
Approaching anything, in the same way, expecting different results only leads to the same tired outcomes. A new perspective with a fresh action plan puts a different spin on issues and allows for varied effects. Many schools in the private and charter systems are providing that innovative viewpoint to education by cutting through the red tape of the norm and breaking through with the change of the unexpected.
Salute to Houston's Own Slim Thug
Slim Thug has been running things like a “Boss” for the past twenty years. Coming on the scene in 1998 to catch the ear and eye of DJ Michael “5000” Watts and joining the “Swisha House” family, Slim’s legacy was set to become one of the most well known and respected rappers in the game. From that date to the present, he has dominated the rap game in Houston from his first freestyle to birth a clothing collection, beer line, e-Cigar, construction company, foundation, and constantly give back to the community that helped him rise to the top. He credits Houston for giving him that entrepreneurial spirit. The city stands to salute this Houston legend with all the rights and privileges thereof.
Five Houstonians Named As Top 25 Finalists in H-E-B’s 5th Quest for Texas Best Statewide Competition
H-E-B received more than 700 entries from 140 cities from across the state of Texas of the most delectable, scrumptious, memorable dishes and beverages for its 5th Annual Quest for Texas Best culinary competition. Official judges have had the audacious task of narrowing down that field to the top 25 and five of them are from Houston. All 25 finalists will compete in the final round of competition on August 9-10, 2018, in Austin, TX for prizes totaling $70,000.
Billy D. Washington: Keeps the Crowds Coming, Keeps the Laughs Going
He is probably the funniest comedian that you don’t really know all too well. A superior talent, Billy D. Washington, is not a comedian that you can compare to others. His sets make you challenge your thought, question your actions, and start a conversation. In other words, the brother is deep. Houston audiences got to experience Washington’s higher level thinking when he headlined at the Joke Joint Comedy Showcase.
Growing the Dollar in Black Businesses
Fifteen years ago Frederick E. Jordan and John William Templeton were just two Black businessmen living the American dream. Jordan operated an engineering and construction management company, F.E. Jordan Associates Inc., while Templeton was president and executive editor of eAccess Corp. a scholarly publishing company. Like most in business for themselves, the men had their share of challenges with major factors being limited resources, inadequate income, and lack of respect as men in business. Their climb to the top was no easy feat. “It’s very difficult for Black businesses to survive,” said Jordan in an interview with Black Enterprise Magazine. “Their obstacles are enormous.”
Alpha Kappa Alpha Performs 29 Service Projects for International Conference in Houston
Wherever the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated go, one thing is for certain. Service will be rendered. Since 1928 when the first graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Omega, was chartered, Houstonians have had a front row seat to the work of the first Greek-letter organization.
When Military Meets Art: Honoring Buffalo Soldiers
Turning the pages of history books there was always something vastly missing… the story of African Americans. Sure, there was plenty of information about the dreadful life of a slave who spent long days picking cotton, being sold like property, and being demoralized every minute of their lives. A little was told about the Jim Crow era when African Americans lived in a country where they were thought of as interior and where cheated of rights and privileges and treated less than. Never were the true tales of the days when African Americans were king and queens, inventors and innovators, and savers and heroes. Thus, affecting how African Americans saw themselves.
Sisterhood & Service: AKAs Takeover Houston
Either directly or indirectly a lady of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has had an effect on your life. Maybe she ensured your child could afford college by awarding them a scholarship. Or she helped to plant a garden in your community to answer the need of food deserts in the area. Perhaps you saw a group of them building a house for a deserving family. One might have encouraged you to join a letter-writing campaign to exercise your political voice for policy changes.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Donates $20,000 to HBCUs
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is historically known for its support of higher education through the awarding of scholarships and charitable donations to educational entities. Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University were recent beneficiaries of that generosity when the sorority presented a $10,000 check to each institution as part of its international program theme “Launching New Dimensions of Service (LNDS).”
Chauncy Glover Breathes New Life Into Young Men
Grasping for breath while you are dying inside is hard to experience and watch. The action of inhaling and exhaling of breath is life itself. And without the air needed for that vital action, your system shuts down and life ceases to exist. Young men across our nation are grasping at air to breathe, live, and survive but many are having their breath snuffed out them by various entities. They need help and a way to regain life.
Dads Behind the Mic
Fathers play an important role in their child’s life. Study after study has documented the negative effects that can happen if a male is an absentee father. A child can be affected mentally, psychologically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually resulting in low self-esteem, lack of ambition, and feelings of not being loved.
Appreciating African American Music Stirs One’s Soul
Music is a great storyteller. Through written words, a story is told, of course. But, the story set to music also comes alive in all of us with the emotions the music evokes. Hearing a particular song can cause one to smile, cry, laugh, and/or feel comfort, pain, relaxation, or any other sentiment. And, in African American history, music has always been a storyteller for the messages and information music communicates. Slaves escaping the plantation often used the guise of music to send encrypted messages to each other. This is why music is so important to the African American culture and any culture in the world.
Meet the African American and Hispanic Valedictorians of 2018
Before kindergarten, you couldn’t wait to go to school. Finally reaching the enrolling age, your parents set you on your educational start. Mastering your numbers, colors, and ABCs, you advanced through the grade levels to reach the ultimate goal, high school graduation.
Summer Travel Like a Pro
Basking in the rays of the sun on the white sandy beach overlooking the clear blue water. Relaxing under a blanket of stars scattered in the midnight sky. Letting your cares rollaway while lounging in a hammock on a lazy afternoon. Making memories to last a lifetime while enjoying the company of family and friends.
Moms Who Rock the Mic - Rachelle Renee
The life of DJ and a mother have a lot in common. Both have people that love to scream their name. Both always have places that require their attendance at a successful event. Their schedules would make anyone exhausted. Go is their middle name. Kandi Eastman, Supastar, and Rachelle Renee know this all too well. As some of Houston most well known DJs, they balance being a mother with that of being everyone’s favorite DJ. Allow me to reintroduce DJs who are moms that rock the mic.
Moms Who Rock the Mic - Kandi Eastman
The life of DJ and a mother have a lot in common. Both have people that love to scream their name. Both always have places that require their attendance at a successful event. Their schedules would make anyone exhausted. Go is their middle name. Kandi Eastman, Supastar, and Rachelle Renee know this all too well. As some of Houston most well known DJs, they balance being a mother with that of being everyone’s favorite DJ. Allow me to reintroduce DJs who are moms that rock the mic.
Moms Who Rock the Mic - Supastar
The life of DJ and a mother have a lot in common. Both have people that love to scream their name. Both always have places that require their attendance at a successful event. Their schedules would make anyone exhausted. Go is their middle name. Kandi Eastman, Supastar, and Rachelle Renee know this all too well. As some of Houston most well known DJs, they balance being a mother with that of being everyone’s favorite DJ. Allow me to reintroduce DJs who are moms that rock the mic.
Hundreds of Students Get Academic Enrichment at AKA ASCEND Summit
The Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) and other Houston area AKA chapters in partnership with The Dow Chemical Company hosted hundreds of high school girls and boys at an ASCEND℠ Summit where students had the opportunity to receive academic enrichment and life skills training to support their journey to college or vocational employment.
Cinco de Mayo: A Celebration of Hispanic Culture
For so many Cinco de Mayo is a day to indulge in some amazing Mexican food and be a lush after drinking a pitcher of margaritas. But I am not judging. It has become like Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, and other holidays that have been over commercialized to the point that some people have forgotten the real reason for the holiday in the first place.
Dr. Grenita Lathan: Not Compromising to Give Children the Best
Three weeks in and Dr. Grenita Lathan is still smiling. The North Carolina native was recently appointed as Houston ISD Interim Superintendent of the largest school district in Texas and the seventh largest school district in the country with more than 210,000 students and close to 300 schools.
2018 GMC Terrain: Reinvented with a New Look, Engine, and So Much More
Day after day they haunt drivers. No matter how drivers try to avoid them someway the vehicle always drifts towards them. As soon as one is fixed two more seem to appear in its place. They cost drivers tons of money to fix their vehicles from their damage and in taxes to repair. Those pesky hollow cavities formed by the erosion of rock.
Expand Your Palette During HBRW 2018
A party is not a party without it. It can be the focus of any lively conversation. Rich, bland, sweet, salty, or spicy there is no end on how to describe it. Food is a common denominator for all people. Each culture has its own distinct taste and flare that makes it unique to its people. Combine food with culture and fun is sure to follow.
Chevrolet Tahoe: A Large SUV with a Larger Price Tag That’s Worth It
Everything about Lake Tahoe is big. Its sheer size and majestic nature was inspiration enough for General Motors to name their full-size SUV Tahoe. And for one week I got the chance to test out the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD Premier.
Budget to Reduce Your Debt
Managing your money can seem like a daunting task when trying to weigh out what must get paid versus buying things that you just want. The later is the troublemaker. All those incidental expenses for desires that you think you can’t live without adding up and if you don’t watch out those incidentals will have you in the poor house. Not a good look my friend. I want to live in the black and not the red. The best way to do that moving forward is to adopt some new financial habits. Priority number one in this process is creating and managing a budget.
2018 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4
Horses, cows, bulls, and hogs Cowboys, ranchers, singers, and clowns Music, shopping, eating, and big fun The rodeo is all said and done As the many trailers all leave town They’re hitched to the best rides around In trucks as wide and big as Texas They’re tough enough to keep the paces With many brands from which to choose For the next seven days, Ram 1500 is what I cruise
Crystle Stewart: Homegrown Talent Stars in Tyler Perry’s 'Acrimony'
What would happen if …? How many times in a lifetimes does one pose this question to themselves? What if this path was taken? What if I had taken this or that opportunity? What if my path hadn’t crossed with that person? What if I had given that person a chance? Sometimes we are grateful that we moved quickly for the things we leaped on. But at other times we live in regret for things we let go because we ran out of patience. So many questions that go unanswered and hang on in our thoughts is enough to make a person go crazy if one lets it. Living in regret or being grateful is the basic premise behind the new Tyler Perry film ‘Acrimony. ‘
Mixing Country and City in the 2018 GMC Canyon Denali Diesel
With all the plethora of trucks in the city for the rodeo, I felt like I had been given membership to the unofficial truck club with the keys in my hand to the 2018 GMC Canyon 4WD Denali Diesel. Though I felt privileged for my membership, it did not help my confidence any when preparing to review this midsize truck until I took a closer look.
First Ladies Acting First Class
Upon their husbands answering the call to minister, preachers’ wives stood alongside their husband in a supportive role. Even when their husbands would further follow the path as a shepherd of God by heading a church, wives remained supportive in their new role as First Lady.
Buick Enclave: Premium for a Reason
Every time I have to go somewhere that calls for the need for me to get fancy I go into a panic thinking that I have nothing to wear because I know I won’t have time to shop for something beforehand. Low and behold every time there is a stunner in my closet like a beautiful surprise that I had totally forgotten I had that is just perfect. The Buick Enclave is like that; an enthralling eye-opener on the road capturing driver’s attention making them wonder why they hadn’t taken a closer look before.
Staying Safe In the Wake of State Bombings
Houston and Austin are connected as cities and communities according to Houston Police Department Chief Art Acevedo. It is because of this bond that when something happens in one city the residents of the other feel affected as well. When three bombs were detonated in the Texas capitol over the course of ten days, residents in Austin were shaken and so were Houstonians.
Larry V. Green: Friend, Mentor, and Leader for All
The Life & Legacy of Larry V. Green Told By People Who Knew Him
Green has always been associated with new life, growth, and a certain kind contagious energy. These descriptions align perfectly with the character and legacy of Houston City Councilman Larry V. Green. In his well-lived life that was shorten all too soon, Green was able to use his power and influence to bring liveliness to the city of Houston and everyone he came across. With his passing, Houston has lost a bit of its color. Green was found dead in his bed at home on Tuesday, March 6. He was 52 years old.
Rodeo Ready
Meet One of the Faces of RodeoHouston
Going to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) had become an annual tradition for Jamila Lloyd. The New Jersey native loves any occasion where she gets to dress up and donning cowboys’ boots with a hat to match was just her thing. Throw in some good Texas BBQ and Lloyd was sold. While she was partying with her boots on, Lloyd learned of the many volunteer opportunities the rodeo offered and just had to apply. “I wanted to join because I love the mission and the overall objective, which is to provide scholarships to deserving students,” she said.
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.
Black Panther: A Marvel Film Breaking Expectations and Records
Struggling to find the words to adequately express all of his emotions, film director Ryan Coogler penned a heartfelt letter to fans.
Getting to the Heart of the Matter: A Look at African Americans Battle with Heart Disease
She felt like she has lost all control is how a then 47-year-old Wanda Walton described her bout with heart disease. With her family in tow, Walton was driving when all of a sudden her left side went numb and she swerved the car off the road. When it happened the second time, her daughter knew something was terribly wrong. Walton’s then husband knew too and he sprung into action taking the wheel of the vehicle and made a beeline straight to the hospital while Walton screamed in pain.
Black History in the Heart of the City
“If race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated,” said Dr. Carter G. Woodson some sixty-five years ago.
Above the Water: How Black Businesses Swim in 2018
Simply being business is hard enough. Compound that with being Black-owned and a disaster like Hurricane Harvey and the definition of sinking or swimming takes on an entirely new meaning. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, many entrepreneurs had the difficult teeter-totter task of balancing the rebuild of their home life and business life. As a result, many businesses closed, especially those that were Black-owned. However, there were some that were able to float instead of sink. Courtney Johnson-Rose, current Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce (GHBCC) Board Chair, spoke with Houston Style Magazine to give insight on how those Black-owned businesses that survived stayed above the water in 2018 in celebration of Black History Month.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Mentors Students to ASCEND to Greater Dimensions
Putting any person in a box limits their opportunities. They have no room to grow and flourish. There is no new path to travel. No new discoveries to be made or challenges to tackle. However, when someone comes along to remove one side of the box a whole new world opens. Mentors do that for children by exposing them to the world beyond their limited space for a better future.
DJ Reader is On a Mission of Love
He was his teacher. He was his mentor. He was his best friend. David Reader Sr. was everything to his son, Houston Texans’ Defensive Nose Tackle David Vernon Jr. or DJ. Four years ago Reader lost his father to a disease that claims the lives of more people than breast or prostate cancer. An estimated 661,000 Americans have kidney disease according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases yet little is known about this deadly disease. Reader wants to change that as a tribute to his father on a mission of love.
Quality Over Quantity: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Lasting Legacy
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important. “ The quality and legacy one’s leaves on Earth is something that has been at the forefront of my mind since 2018 began. We are only 11 days in 2018 and I have been to three funerals with one pending. During their celebration of life affairs, many spoke of the goodness of the decease’s life and the people he/she touched.
Drug Safety: If the Date Is Late, It’s Not Safe
Coming into a new year we all get this sense to throw out the old and welcome in the new. We rumble through our closets tossing out anything we didn’t wear in the past year and/or those items we wondered why we purchased them in the first place.
Ride Into 2018 with the New Toyota Camry SE
Millions took to the road this holiday season. In fact, this year was the highest travel on record with an estimated 107.3 million traveling via four-wheels according to AAA. As America’s most popular sedan, the Toyota Camry is one of choice for families, especially on long road trips. They love it for its reliability, safety, and comfort. In 2018, drivers will love it for one more thing, its style.
Say Goodbye to 2017 and Hello to 2018
Three hundred sixty-five days have once again passed. The coming of a new year is a signal for us to start anew rewriting old mistakes, taking new chances, and completing unfinished business. During this time of reflection and evaluation, we must clean house to say goodbye to the old in 2017 and say hello to the new in 2018. Houston Style Magazine wants you to present your best’s self in 2018 and gives you some pointers to get things started.
Shell Honors Heroes of Houston with National Ad Campaign
Hurricane Harvey was a storm that changed us. Whether directly affected or indirectly Harvey changed Houstonians and those around the world emotionally, mentally, and physically. Our values of what was important changed. Our concerns for our fellowman broke color lines as well as challenge our thoughts on how one person can make a difference if they just have the desire.
Mental Health: Don’t Have a Blue Christmas
Once a taboo subject, Mental Health has become one of the most talked about health crisis in recent years. With the increased conversation comes an increase of people seeking help to deal with their own mental health issues. One in every five adults experiences some type of mental health episode in a year according to statistical data collected by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Remembering Houston Radio Legend Robert “Bassman” Washington
Houstonians are mourning the loss of a Houston radio legend. Robert “Bassman” Washington died Sunday morning at the age of 48-years-old.
Rapper Chamillionaire Talks Tech Entrepreneurship with Houston Students
We know rapper Chamillionaire as a Grammy award-winning rapper but he is showing a different side these days as a tech entrepreneur.
Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen Leaves Houston in Stitches
Blind dates are hits or misses. Some end up becoming a fairy tale like that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Others are a total misfit with no attraction, connection, or vibe of any sort. And then some can evolve into a 30 year friendship like that of Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen.
