Your Houston

Your Houston is a grassroots non-profit. Our primary focus is on Quality of Life issues that affect all Houstonians. We connect with other local leaders and non-profits, however large or small, all working with the singular goal to improve the city of Houston. So, what is a Quality of Life issue? Well, I'm glad you asked! QOL issues are the ones we all face and make an impact on or have the potential to disrupt our daily lives. Flooding from hurricanes and thunderstorms, ease of transportation across the city, and transparency within our local government just to name a few.

Gloria Zenteno is the inspiring founder and president of Barrio Dogs, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing pet homelessness and overpopulation in Houston's East End, where she was born and raised. Seeing the neglect and abuse of animals inspired her to make a change. Gloria's focus is on education and community outreach, empowering her neighbors to take care of animals and instilling a belief in health equity for both humans and their four-legged companions. Her work has earned recognition and awards, including the 2015 Hispanic Heritage Award in Education and the 2019 Good Neighbor Award from the Houston East End Chamber. Barrio Dogs, Inc. 

On this episode we speak with Cathy Britton from Urban Harvest about the various ways they try to bring healthy fresh produce to areas of Houston. Cathy shares how to double your EBT/SNAP benefits at their markets. 

The Urban Enrichment Institute - UEI (formerly the Fifth Ward Enrichment Program Incorporated -FWEP) is a youth leadership and development program for at-risk males, ages 12 - 19, strategically located in one of Houston's most economically depressed neighborhoods. Shawn DeVaughn joins us to talk about the UEI program and its impact in Fifth Ward.

On this episode we speak with Samara Rosen, Manager of The Center for art and Photography at Celebration Company. We discuss Celebration Company and highlight the ReelAbilities Film & Art Festival. An event that uses the arts as a vehicle to promote inclusion and amplify the voices of people with disabilities locally and nationally.

Today we speak with Cindy Tessler, Avenue CDC Vice President of Programs and Operations, about various homeownership programs and services available to the public.  

This episode is special edition of the Your Houston podcast. We feature our recently held live event on infrastructure funding lessons learned. We hear from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, and Your Houston Truman Scholar Mike Floyd. After their remarks Houston METRO, the City of Houston, CenterPoint Energy, and the Houston-Galveston Area Council participate in a panel discussion on their experiences obtaining infrastructure funding for local projects. 

We are thrilled to be joined by Gracie Saenz of LULAC Council #60 to discuss Latino history in Houston and the historic LULAC Council # 60 clubhouse she is working so hard to save.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month we speak with Houston Community College Trustee and CEO of the Tejano Center for Community Concerns Dr. Adriana Tamez. Dr. Tamez shares with us the numerous resources available to those interested in continuing their education with the Houston Community College. Programs available include workforce development, reskilling training, and college courses and certificates. 

We speak with organizers from Stop TXDot I-45 to discuss the proposed highway reconstruction project and the major implications it has for quality of life issues for Houstonians throughout the city.

We speak with Houston METRO Board Chair Carrin F. Patman about the state of public transit in Houston. We cover a wide range of topics from the implementation of the METRO Next Bond, Light Rail to Hobby Airport, and the I-45 expansion project.

The second episode in our Pride series features 2020 Nonbinary Pride Houston Grand Marshal Kelsey Reynolds to discuss their LGBTQ activism and work in volunteer services and engagement for the Houston Food Bank. 

Check out our first of two Pride focused podcast episodes. Today we speak with Houston GLBT Political Caucus President Jovon Tyler to learn more about his journey through various activism roles. He shares information about what exactly the Houston GLBT Political Caucus does and where he sees things going with local LGBTQIA+ activism.

Today we visit with Alex Dailey, Vice President of Community Engagement for Big Brothers Big Sisters Houston to learn more about the organization, how quality of life issues impact the work they do, and how you can step up and get involved in youth mentorship. Visit https://bbbstx.org/ to learn how you can support Big Brothers Big Sisters Houston and attend their upcoming golf tournament Swing for Kids’ Sake.

On this episode we speak with Silky Joshi Malik. Silky was the first woman to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Texas’ 2nd Congressional District. After a roller coaster ride of an experience she wrote the book The Total Nobody Who Ran for Office and Lost-ish, to capture the memories of her time on the campaign trail, providing lessons to anyone trying to find their voice in the world of politics. 

What in the world is a Management District? Today we talk to Rebecca Reyna - Executive Director of the Greater Northside Management District, Alice Lee – Executive Director of the Southwest Management District, and Alan Bernstein – VP of Communications for Hawes Hill Associates to break down what exactly a Management District does, how it impacts your neighborhood, and how you can learn more and get involved.

On this episode we speak with Dr. Bhavna Lall, MD, MPH, MPA. Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Houston - College of Medicine. Dr. Lall joins us to answer your questions about the three COVID-19 authorized vaccines safety and efficacy. Vaccine resources available here: https://www.yourhou.com/vaccine

Check out our first Podcast episode of 2021! Your Houston welcomes former Harris County Clerk Christopher G. Hollins to discuss the unique and creative ways his office increased voter turnout in 2020, how they kept voters and poll workers safe during a pandemic, and what surprised him the most about serving as County Clerk.

Travis Weaver of Manready Mercantile shares how he created a premier global brand from scratch and how they have had to innovate and be creative to survive during the pandemic.

Energy Executive, thought leader, and University of Houston Energy Fellow Ed Hirs joins us to discuss COVID's impact on Houston's local economy and long-term implications for Houston's energy sector.

Join us as we talk with entrepreneur, political commentator, and community activist Dallas Jones about the 2020 Census. With the Census deadline only days away, learn about how to complete it, what all the Census impacts, and how the political landscape and COVID-19 have affected the Census completion rate. 

This episode features Houston weight loss expert Dr. Rupal Mathur who shares her knowledge and tips on how to stay active, healthy, and physically fit during a pandemic. 

On this episode, we discuss the current state of evictions in Houston with Jeff Richman, Principal at January Advisors. Jeff serves on the local Housing Stability Taskforce and recently published a report on the data behind evictions in Houston.

We welcome Zaf Tahir, City of Houston Planning and Airport Commissioner, to discuss the economic impact COVID-19 is having on Houston's airports, international community, and local economy. Curious how you can get involved in international affairs at the local level, Zaf will tell you how to participate.

This week we talk to Zeph Capo, President of the Houston Federation of Teachers, about keeping students and teachers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss why there is a push to return to in-person classroom instruction during a pandemic, how other countries have been able to safely reopen schools, and what teachers and school support staff can do to stay informed and protect themselves. 

We welcome Beth Martin, Executive Director of Houston BCycle, to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented to micro-mobility in Houston during the time of COVID-19 and how you can stay safe while biking for work or leisure. 

On this episode we invite Harris County Public Health Analyst Eric Bakota to breakdown COVID-19 testing. We discuss how to interpret the rise in positive test results and how this data is used to make decisions here on the ground.

We speak with Dr. Faisal Masud, Director of Critical Care for Houston Methodist, on the state of COVID-19 in the Houston region, how this virus is impacting younger populations, and what physicians are doing to protect themselves and their families from getting infected. 

Your Houston welcomes its founder and Board Chair Bill Baldwin to discuss why he created this organization and how you can get involved.