Leela James Brings Love and Soul to Houston
Having soul is to be in touch with one’s self with a clear understanding of your value. A more perfect definition of the R&B crooner, Leela James, could have been better crafted. Since first appearing on the scene 10 years ago, the 33-year-old singer, mother of two, has been drawing audiences in with her smooth sound and raw honesty in her songs to allow her to connect with fans on a personal level. She keeps it real.
The Most Diverse Grammys Ever
Shut out. For years that is how urban, R&B, and hip-hop artists felt at the Grammys. Their talents were going unrecognized. And the few times that they were given a Grammy nod, they would lose to white artists. The most famed of these was Adele beating out Beyonce at the 2017 awards. Even Adele acknowledged how crazy that was in her acceptance speech. The lack of diversity at the Grammys spurred the trending hashtag #GrammysSoWhite. But that was 2017.
Toyota Corolla iM: The Ideal Merger
If given the choice between something small or big, most will pick the larger. We have been trained to believe that bigger means better. However, bigger can also be wasteful. Size is everything. Our eyes are sometimes bigger than what we can hold and we dispose of the excess. Finding the perfect size that is right between too little and too big to get that happy medium is challenging. Somehow Toyota has managed to make the ideal merger in the compact car, Toyota Corolla iM 5-door hatchback.
GregAlan Williams Tapping Into the Heart of Women
Every time GregAlan Williams takes on a role he has the same goal every time, to be believed. “If I am believed, I’m good,” said Williams. With the encompasses over 20 films, more than 30 television shows, and even some video games, we have been believing Williams as an actor for years. Just as long as he has been acting, he has been writing. And he now merges his talents in his re-released book, Heart of Woman.
St. John’s UMC and Beyonce’s BeyGood Partner to Host Royal Feast Benefitting Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief
Thousands of homes destroyed. Businesses turned upside down. Lives lost. Destruction was at every turn. In the midst of all the turmoil, magic happened. Neighbors began helping neighbors. Everyday citizens became heroes. First responders pushed past their limits. Everyone was in overdrive. Hurricane Harvey came to cause harm but only made Houston stronger.
Tiffany Haddish: Laughing Her Way to Stardom
Laughter is the best medicine and that could not be truer than for actress, comedian and now author Tiffany Haddish. After a horrific accident that left her mother with severe brain damage, a young Haddish found herself raising her four siblings and in foster care in the poorest part of South Central Los Angeles. She was not the best student and was often in trouble. People were ready to give up on her until divine intervention struck when her social worker sent her to the Laugh Factory Comedy Camp where she took her pain and used comedy as therapy to find her true passion.
Judge Al Bennett: A Role Model of Integrity
Exposing children to any and everything in life opens up the floodgates of where they can go. Nothing does that better than reading a book since it allows the imagination to go into overdrive. Once a young Al Bennett read Harper Lee’s 1960 To Kill a Mockingbird in high school a spark was ignited in him to become a lawyer.
Cheryl Thomas Fortune: A Fighter Winning the Battle of Life
Music has always been a constant in Cheryl Thomas Fortune’s life. From taking piano lessons as a child to singing in the high school as a teen to continuing her passion into a booming professional career as an adult, music is her friend. And this friend, coupled with her love for God and her faith in Him, has allowed her to weather through some pretty tough storms and come out as a fighter winning the battle of life.
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.
TSU: 90 Years Later and Still A Force to Be Reckoned With
Any institution around for 90 years has its share of stories. The ones of triumph, the ones of defeat, and all the ones in between that have helped shape the institution to be stronger, more competitive and a leader in the education arena. Texas Southern University has been that pillar for Houston. This week they celebrate the students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have contributed to the making of those stories with their annual homecoming celebration themed ‘TSU Dynasty, 90 Years In, The Reign Continues.’
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.
Tony Diaz: The Father of the Librotraficante Movement
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Houston Style Magazine is recognizing some of Houston’s most prominent Hispanics that are making a difference in their communities. We start with a man who is known not just in Houston but also throughout the state and the nation. Meet activist, author, radio host, and writer Tony Diaz.
Health Concerns Rise for Houstonians in the Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey
In the aftermath of a hurricane like Harvey, a bevy of problems arise. The main concern high on the recovery checklist is the health of citizens, which might have been threatened by being in floodwaters. Some people were trapped for hours-to-days on end as they were waiting to be rescued while others are being exposed in the days after Harvey as they begin the clean up process of their property. All in all, this has to lead to many becoming ill because of the contamination of said floodwaters.In the aftermath of a hurricane like Harvey, a bevy of problems arise. The main concern high on the recovery checklist is the health of citizens, which might have been threatened by being in floodwaters. Some people were trapped for hours-to-days on end as they were waiting to be rescued while others are being exposed in the days after Harvey as they begin the clean up process of their property. All in all, this has to lead to many becoming ill because of the contamination of said floodwaters.
Elvin Franklin Jr. Looking Out for the Underserved of Houston
Never forget from whence you came was a principle that a young Elvin Franklin Jr. learned at church. It is a lesson that has not only stuck with him but motivates him for what he does daily, help the underserved.
The Storm We’ll Never Forget
Five storms etched in Texans’ memory top the list as being among those as the most costly and deadly.
HBCUs Finding Avenues of Help with UNCF
Historically Black Colleges and Universities are in dire need of help. Their lifeline was promised to them this past February from the Trump administration when he paraded close to 100 HBCUs presidents to Washington, D.C. for that massive photo opp when he signed the new HBCU initiative. Announcing that the initiative would be a top priority for his administration, he moved it from the Department of Education to the White House with the new name Presidential Executive Order on The White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Boss Kids: Mini Moguls On the Rise in Business
Kid jobs were different years ago. Paper routes, cutting neighborhood yards, and the ever popular lemonade stand were the usual. Kids’ goals were fairly simple for raising money. They wanted to buy some toy or game or sometimes even shoes that mom may have said were too expensive. T
Health Check Ups for Kids Before Heading Back-to-School
School supplies, checked. New clothes and shoes, checked. But have your checked your child’s health? Sure, you may have gotten the immunizations and the routine physical. Cheers for that. What about that dental check and eye exam? Houston Style Magazine spoke with some top docs about the necessary exams and preventative measures parents can take to ensure their child has a successful and healthy school year.
Incredible Things Are Happening In HISD
“I am proud to report that HISD continues to make academic progress district wide,” said a pleased Houston ISD Superintendent Richard A. Carranza as he bragged on the district that has been under his administration for the last 12 months. The Texas Education Agency (TEA), a branch of the state government responsible for overseeing public education, recently released their accountability ratings for school campuses for the 2016-2017 school year and Houston ISD scored well.
Balancing Books and Politics: PVAMU Student Goes to College As Youngest City Councilman in the State
As a member of the graduating class of 2018, Kendric D. Jones is a pro at going back-to-college. He knows what to pack, what to expect, and basically what to do. However, this year will be different than usual when returning to Prairie View A&M University to finish up his last two semesters of his undergraduate collegiate career as he will have a lot more to juggle balancing books with politics.
Eight Houston Area Finalists Vie to Be Named a H-E-B’s Primo Pick Product
Prepare your taste buds for some new, interesting flavorful combinations that will hit H-E-B stores in the future thanks to their annual competition, H-E-B Primo Picks Quest for Texas Best. Now in its fourth year, the statewide competition is the signature program for the grocer that allows food entrepreneurs to compete for a chance to have their products on H-E-B store shelves. To date, the competition has yield more than 200 new products for H-E-B.
Power Up with Tommy, Julio, Dre and AT&T
AT&T has become known as the brand to mobilize your world. But this past weekend in Houston AT&T brought the power to our world in the form of Joseph Sikora, J.R. Ramirez, and Rotimi Akinosho. The cast of the highly rated #1 program on Starz “Power” was in town for an exclusive meet and greet with fans of the show. And of course, Houston Style Magazine was there to learn a little more about the guys and now you will too.
Pellerin Crowned Miss Black Houston 2017
There is a new jewel in Houston’s crown and her name is Symone Pellerin. Crowned this past weekend on the campus of Texas Southern University, Pellerin is the first Miss Black Houston after the pageant took a more than ten year hiatus.
Brides Support Brides After Alfred Angelo Bridal Closes
Any bride will tell you that finding the perfect dress for their wedding day is a daunting task. Since it is not your ordinary dress it is held to a standard of sheer perfection.
Hill Harper’s New Mission: Increasing Health and Wellness with New Personal Care Line
“We have to take our health extremely seriously. We have nothing if we don’t have our health,” advises actor, author, philanthropist and entrepreneur Hill Harper. Like with most things, many Americans with good health take it for granted. It is not until a health warning or scare happens that we are jolted with the awareness that I must do better to take care of me.
Discover the Power of Speed with the Lexus RC 350 F Sport
Having power at the tip of your fingertips gives off an adrenaline rush that excites the heart, curls the toes, and makes hair stand on its end. After a week in the 2017 Lexus RC 350 F Sport, I felt this type of power. And you can too for a starting price of $47,115.
Melinda Spaulding Has A New Role with TSU
Melinda Spaulding Chevalier has become a trusted source of information as many have welcomed her into their homes through their television sets as Fox 26 news anchor. She has weaved her way into the community to be involved with numerous organizations that have made our corner of the world better. Viewers have grown with Spaulding over the past 13 years that she has been with the network so when news broke that she was not renewing her contract and would bid farewell to Fox26 the question of her next move surfaced.
Houston Native Lands Role in Tracy Morgan’s The Last O.G.
During the wee hours of the morning on June 7, 2014, Tracy Morgan almost lost his life after a Walmart trucker collided with his limo. But God was not ready for Morgan just yet. After eight days in a coma, many shattered and crack bones, severe brain injury, and a long recovery Morgan made his way back to life and back to the career he loves, comedy. Now he is set to star in his first major television role since that tragic accident and a Houstonian will be right along with him on set.
Lexus ES 300h is Tops in Fuel Efficiency
One of the routine tasks of being a vehicle owner is the trip to the ever popular gas station. Whether your frequency is daily, weekly or another schedule, it will be significantly less as the owner of the 2017 Lexus ES 300h.
Minority Lawmakers Unified in Call for Impeachment of POTUS
Only two Presidents of the United States have ever been impeached in history. And if democrats have their way Donald Trump will be the third. Ever since January 20th, Americans have been shocked, angered, applauded, confused, and gone through an array of emotions with Donald Trump at the helm of running our country.
Riding High in the Toyota Tacoma TRD Offroad 4x4 Double Cab
Bungee jumping, zip lining, tight rope walking, and skydiving are just some things that you won’t catch me doing. Why? Basically, I have a fear of heights; maybe not necessarily heights but the fear of falling from a very high height. Ironically, being high is why I loved reviewing the vehicle I had this past week. The 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Offroad 4x4 Double Cab Long Bed had me riding high and I liked it.
LaTavia is Using the Low Points to Live a High Life
Issues that would break most have just made two-time Grammy Award winning artist, actress, mother, writer and businesswoman LaTavia Roberson stronger. It has made her grateful for her struggle and even prouder of the path she is on now.
African American Music Appreciation Month Still Relevant
Without the beat of the drum, where would we be. Music started from the first beat and has spawned so many beats and songs of today. Always at the forefront of that beat were African Americans. The month of June celebrates the creativity, wealth, culture, and the beat of Black music.
Four Area Girls Earn Highest Award for Girl Scouting
Four young ladies’ acts of community service were so grand that they were deemed golden. Jade Bryant, Codi Fillmore, Milan Parris, and Regan Williams have just earned the highest award a Girl Scout can receive, The Gold Award, putting them in an elite group since less than 6% of Girl Scouts worldwide have received this distinction.
Sylvester Turner: Balancing Fatherhood and Politics
Lifting her high into the heavens as if he is trying to allow God to kiss her himself I watch a father bond with his baby girl. Holding her ever so careful, he gently cradles her in his arms with a strong hold, as he dares not let her slip. Pride pours out of every point on his body as he holds the most beautiful thing he has ever laid his eyes on and thinks, “How blessed am I.”
Efficiency and Effectiveness: Chief Art Acevedo’s Energizing First Six Months
Six months ago when Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Art Acevedo as the new head of the Houston Police Department many were scratching their heads wondering who this man was. Mayor Turner painted a vivid picture of which Acevedo was but until action is seen, well, talk in cheap. Turns out Acevedo wasn’t cheap but efficient and effective making his combining with Houston a very energizing experience.
Summer Chilling: Staying Cool with Fitness, Fashion, and Food
Falling down your face. Stinging your eyes. Wetting up your clothes. It’s sweating season ladies and gentlemen. Scorching, summery triple digit temperatures are in our imminent future when summer officially beginning on June 20th. The heat and humidity are already getting to some of us just taking a few steps out the door. Get prepared for the pending hotter days with tips on staying cool with fitness, fashion, and food.
Frenchy's Chicken Announces Community Partnership for Renovation and Expansion with Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church
Frenchy's Chicken announced a major community partnership with Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church today on the church's parking lot. Percy Creuzot II, son of Frenchy's Chicken owner, and Pastor Marcus D. Cosby, Senior Pastor of WABC, said that the original Frenchy's location that has been housed at the corner of Scott and Wheeler for 48 years will move two blocks down the street to Alabama and Scott to allow expansion of WABC.
Have the Best Summer Yet
Coming are the days when the sun kisses our faces, our cares are tossed to the wind, and our calendar is filled with as much or as little activity as we want. That is the beauty of summer.
Meet the Class of 2017: Tomorrow’s Future Leaders of America
After twelve years, 108 months, 3,240 days, are the estimated number of days students attend school before reaching the pinnacle of their educational career, high school graduation. That pivotal time has come for the class of 2017. It’s time for them to turn their tassel and take the brave steps into the next chapter of their lives. Annually, Houston Style Magazine recognizes the Houston ISD’s African American and Hispanic valedictorians to salute them on their accomplishments. Congrats Class of 2017!Meet the Class of 2017: Tomorrow’s Future Leaders of America
An Unbreakable Bond: Sheila Jackson Lee and Erica Lee Carter
Ask any child and most can list a number of reasons why they love their mother. No matter what the reason they all center on one word, love. That love is formed from a special bond between mother and child. Mothers and daughters share a very unique emotionally connection. With such a delicate connection, I wondered how that bond is tested when you have to share your mother and the unconditional love she gives with others in a major way. What I found is that the bond is just made stronger to the point that it is unbreakable.
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.
Pride and Culture: How One Family Lost It All and Came Back On Top
May is one of those months that has a bit more flavor to it. Call it Muy Caliente! Americans of Mexican decent everywhere proudly stick out their chest with pride in celebration of culture and heritage for Cinco de Mayo. Originally celebrated as the day that the Mexican Army overtook French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, Cinco de Mayo is now a much more spirited celebration in the United States.
Message Received: Men Finally Going to the Doctor
Men protect and provide for others but often don’t care or show concern for themselves. Whether it is they don’t have enough time or literal distrust doctors, men, in general, are not good keepers of their health. They have to be on the brink of death before they go see the doctor.
Laurenzo’s: Continuing the Tradition of Food and Family
Walking into the new location of Laurenzo’s Bar & Grill in Midtown and there is only one reaction to be had, “Wow!” It is something that is so unexpected but quickly becoming the norm with the revitalization of the area that is attracting a younger crowd and anyone who wants to have a great time.
HBRW: Serving Up Black Businesses as the Main Dish
What to eat is a question that is becoming just as hard to answer as to where to eat. With the wide variety of offerings tempting our palates and the number of restaurants scattered throughout the city that question is increasingly more difficult to answer by the day. New restaurants are popping up everywhere with menus that blend cultures as well as taste, that it is a challenge to know about all the gems in our city.
Keeping Houston’s Future Bright
Houston is a great city because of the people that pour into daily to make it so. From the many residents that have chosen this as the place to raise their families to those who make and uphold our laws to those who put the city on the map for forward thinking, Houston’s people are our best kept secrets. Two people contributing greatly to keeping Houston’s future bright are Vera Bumpers and Carlecia D. Wright who enhance Houston’s safety and economic growth.
Mila’s Journey: One Woman’s Fight Against Colon Cancer
“This has got to be a joke,” thought Jamila Barefield. Yes, a very crude and ill joke that someone was playing on her. But there were no lights, no cameras, or studio audience. It was just her lying in a bed surrounded by four blank walls with tubes everywhere staring blankly in the face of a doctor. And in a very cold, disconnected matter, the doctor parted his lips and utter three horrific words, “You have cancer.”
The Women Behind Minority Business Growth in Houston
Being in business for yourself is hard. It is always helpful to have a mentor and some assistance to navigate the path to get to your success story. Business owners in Houston are fortunate in that respect to have a plethora of resources at hand to assist in that department. Some of the main resources for minorities are in the form of our chambers. The Greater Houston Black Chamber (GHBC) and the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (HHCC) are avenues that entrepreneurs need to seek out to reach that pinnacle level of achievement.
Cory Solomon: Hometown Favorite Shines at RodeoHouston
When most boys have dreams of being a professional football player or basketball player, Cory Solomon wanted to trot down a different path. For as long as he could remember his goal has been to become a professional cowboy. Now he is living his dream and we are privy to see him do it at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
