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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.
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.