On Juneteenth, I traveled to the Hermitage, President Andrew Jackson’s plantation outside Nashville, to celebrate Black music. Neither Juneteenth nor Black music had ever been celebrated there before.
Lela Harris flew in from Maryland. She descends from Alfred, born enslaved on that land. When freedom came, he chose the name Jackson for himself. He asked to be buried beside the president, and he was.
She stood on that same ground and spoke. Other descendants of the enslaved came too. Hundreds of Black folks. Hundreds of White folks. Likely the largest gathering of Black people there since slavery ended.
Lela grew up with a tradition. Her family believes they descend from Andrew Jackson himself. Others say that cannot be, that Jackson fathered no children. The family carries the story. The records carry a silence.
My cousins are the Hemingses of Monticello. For centuries they said they descend from Thomas Jefferson, through Sally Hemings, the enslaved half-sister of his wife. They were told it was impossible. Then the science proved them right.
I told the crowd to call each other cousin, and I meant it plainly. If your family has been in Tennessee or Virginia a long time, the odds are good that -- Black, White, or Native -- you are kin to people who do not look like you. All afternoon you could hear it across that lawn. “Hey, Cousin!”
Cris Corley is an eighth-generation Tennessee farmer. His family included soldiers who fought alongside Andrew Jackson, and he grew up proud of that. Cris has fought for racial justice in Tennessee. He teared up that day.
Cris remembers when his elementary school in Alexandria, Tennessee, was desegregated.
A White father stormed in, using a slur for the Black children and swearing
HEY, COUSIN: WHAT I SAW ON JUNETEENTH AT ANDREW JACKSON'S PLANTATION
By Ben Jealous, National Political Commentator
his kids would never sit beside them. The principal knocked him down where he stood. He decided that was better than letting a man block the schoolhouse door. Young Cris agreed.
The good people won that day.
Cris has a friend, Charlie High, who fights beside him today. Charlie remembers his own father coming home from the courthouse one day, excited. He had watched Diane Nash and the students from Fisk stand their ground. His dad then marched his young White children around the living room, the way Nash had marched, and praised them.
I am proud of the Hermitage team for not flinching, for digging into the hard questions instead of hiding from them. It is why I tell people we must step into the gray. We have always been more connected, and more human, than the history books let us believe.
Juneteenth was the right day to remember all of it. In a single instant, the government stopped calling human beings property and started calling them the political equals of the men who had owned them. There may be no other holiday that marks a turn so complete and so sudden.
So we stood on sacred and stained ground, and we sang, and we called each other cousin. We cannot control what was done to us, or for us. We control only what we build now.
Ghosts cannot heal us. Only we can do that.
The oldest truth my grandmother, Mamie Bland Todd, ever taught me was this: our people were always free. Strange, from a woman with three grandparents born into slavery. But it is both a basic Christian principle and a law of nature.
Her third great-grandfather carried that same fire. His name was Richard Bland.
In 1766, he published a pamphlet asserting that very point against the British crown: under English government, all men are born free, regardless of what the King said. Richard owned people even as he wrote it. His blood runs on both sides of the line. Two of his grandsons were half-brothers. They shared a father. One was born free. The other, Frederick, was born enslaved, six years the elder. Two brothers. One father. One owned the other.
That is my family. That is the country.
Our cousin, President Thomas Jefferson, had a word for that freedom. He wrote that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights. Among them: liberty.
Unalienable. It cannot be sold, surrendered, taken away, or even granted. And like the Blands, his family owned their own kin. His words outran him too.
Harris County politics had itself a Monday night revival in Meyerland — the kind with folding chairs, full hearts, and enough applause to make the Faith Lutheran Church gymnasium feel like the opening night of a championship season.
Dr. Letitia Plummer and Dr. Darlene Breaux, two Democratic nominees who recently turned political predictions into confetti, stood before the Meyerland Area Democrats Club with a shared message: Harris County’s future belongs to voters who still believe democracy works best when regular people refuse to be counted out.
Both women entered their May runoff races facing better-funded, better-known Democratic institutions. Both walked away with victories that jolted the Texas political conversation. Plummer, the former Houston City Council at-large member and dentist, defeated former Houston Mayor Annise Parker to become the Democratic nominee for Harris County Judge. Breaux, president of the Alief ISD Board of Trustees and a longtime education advocate, defeated 20-year incumbent State Rep. Hubert Vo in Texas House District 149.
That is not just a political storyline. That is a Harris County headline with ‘Houston-Style’ seasoning.
“These women speaking tonight come to us as a huge force for the future for our area and for Harris County,” said Meyerland Area Democrats Club President Art Pronin, who framed the
PLUMMER AND BREAUX TURN PRIMARY UPSETS INTO A BOLD BLUEPRINT FOR HARRIS COUNTY
By Burt Levine, Political Editor for www.StyleMagazine.com
a new chapter of leadership for one of the most diverse districts in southwest Houston.
The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and for Democrats, the stakes are larger than one office or one district. The ballot will help shape Harris County’s direction on public safety, flood resilience, education, economic opportunity, county services, health care access, small business growth, and the future of inclusive government in one of America’s most diverse metropolitan regions.
Plummer’s message was rooted in reach. Houston may be the county’s largest city, she reminded the room, but Harris County is also Pasadena, Baytown, Deer Park, La Porte, Seabrook, Friendswood, Pearland, Katy, Cypress, Champions, Spring, Tomball and Klein. Her campaign, she said, grew because she refused to campaign only where she was already comfortable.
That countywide approach matters. Harris County is not one neighborhood, one zip code, one accent, one faith tradition, or one political personality. It is Third Ward and Meyerland, Sunnyside and Alief, Hiram Clarke and Katy, Baytown and Spring. It is working families, small business owners, public servants, teachers, first responders, seniors, students, immigrants, faith communities, and voters who expect government to show up before the storm, not merely after the press conference.
Breaux’s victory in District 149 carried
its own thunder. As Alief ISD Board President, she built her public life around classrooms, families, neighborhoods, and the daily dignity of local service. Her win over a longtime incumbent was powered by a coalition that included labor, Democratic clubs, community leaders, and voters eager for fresh representation.
“District 149 deserves representation that delivers on public education, public safety, private business and economic opportunity,” Breaux said. That sentence could double as a campaign slogan and a governing checklist.
Together, Plummer and Breaux represent something larger than political disruption. They represent democratic renewal. Their campaigns were not powered by inevitability. They were powered by door knocking, phone calling, church conversations, community meetings, neighborhood trust, and the radical idea that voters still like to be seen, heard, and respected.
In a season when politics can feel too loud, too cynical, and too controlled by insiders, Plummer and Breaux offer a reminder that democracy still has a grassroots heartbeat. It beats in Meyerland. It beats in Alief. It beats across Harris County.
And come November, that heartbeat may become a movement.
www.HarrisVotes.com
evening as a turning point for Democrats across Harris and Fort Bend counties. Pronin noted the historic potential of the November general election, where Plummer could become the first African American and first Muslim American Harris County Judge, while Breaux represents
Dr. Darlene Breaux & Dr. Letitia Plummer
Fort Bend County has never been shy about growth, grit, or good taste. But now, the Fort Bend Regional Partnership has added a little extra shine to the region’s already impressive business résumé — and this time, the applause came from across Texas.
At the 2026 Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives Conference (TCCE) in Abilene, the Fort Bend Regional Partnership swept the top media awards in the large Chamber of Commerce category, taking First Place in Division 4 across all four major media categories: Website Design, Social Media & Video, Print & Electronic Publication, and Event Marketing. In other words, Fort Bend did not just show up. It showed out — professionally, creatively, and with the kind of polish that makes a region look ready for prime time.
The annual TCCE Conference brings together chamber leaders, executives, staff, and business advocates from across Texas to exchange ideas, strengthen leadership skills, sharpen communications strategy, and celebrate excellence in chamber work. For organizations that spend the year helping others rise, the conference is a moment to recognize those who are also raising the bar behind the scenes.
For the Fort Bend Regional Partnership, the awards arrive at a meaningful time. The organization has been expanding its regional presence, strengthening its brand, and telling a broader story about Fort Bend County’s role in the future of Greater Houston. That story is one of business momentum, infrastructure, innovation, community pride, and collaborative leadership.
FORT BEND REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP: SWEEPS TEXAS CHAMBER MEDIA AWARDS
By Lisa Valadez, for www.StyleMagazine.com
The Partnership’s award-winning entries reflected that mission with clarity and style. Its redesigned fortbendregionalpartnership.com website earned recognition for aligning with the organization’s rebrand and expanded regional role. The site serves as a modern front door for members, investors, business leaders, and community partners looking to connect with Fort Bend’s economic energy.
The 2026 Chairman’s Gala social media campaign also earned top honors, proving that a rebrand reveal can be more than a formal announcement — it can be a celebration. With smart visuals, strategic messaging, and engaging digital storytelling, the campaign helped build awareness around a milestone moment for the organization.
The Fort Bend Levee Coalition brochure received recognition for transforming a serious infrastructure topic into clear, accessible communication. Locally funded levee systems may not be the flashiest subject at the dinner table, but in Fort Bend County, they are essential to protecting homes, businesses, families, and future investment. The brochure helped explain why flood protection is not just an engineering issue — it is an economic development issue, a public safety issue, and a quality-of-life issue.
Rounding out the sweep, the 2026 Chairman’s Gala invitation won for event marketing, serving as a key promotional piece for one of the Partnership’s signature moments. It combined elegance, purpose, and brand identity — the kind of invitation that says,
“This is not just another event; this is where the region’s future gets dressed up and steps forward.”
President and CEO Keri Curtis Schmidt accepted the awards on behalf of the organization, crediting the broader team effort behind the achievement. The recognition reflects the work of staff, volunteers, board leadership, members, and community partners who help power the Partnership’s mission every day.
And that mission is substantial. The Fort Bend Regional Partnership is a 5-star accredited organization, the largest single-county chamber in the Greater Houston region, and the largest business organization in Fort Bend County. Representing more than 1,000 business organizations, more than 5,000 individuals, and more than 250,000 jobs, the Partnership has spent more than 50 years serving as a strong voice for business and regional progress.
For Houston Style Magazine readers, this win is more than a trophy-room moment. It is a reminder that effective communication matters. Websites, brochures, social media campaigns, and event invitations are not just marketing materials — they are tools of civic storytelling. They help communities understand what is at stake, where opportunity lives, and how people can participate in progress.
Fort Bend County continues to be one of the most dynamic, diverse, and fast-moving areas in Texas. With this sweep, the Fort Bend Regional Partnership has shown that it not only understands the region’s growth — it knows how to communicate it with excellence.
Douglass Peters, CCE, IOM, Abilene Chamber; Jonathan Packer, IOM, Greater New Braunfels Chamber; Keri Schmidt, CCE, IOM, Fort Bend Regional Partnership; Bruce Hillegeist, Tomball Chamber; Mary Frazior, CCE, IOM, Hurst Euless Bedford Chamber; Renee Earls, Odessa Chamber
TSU'S OCEAN OF SOUL MARCHES INTO VOGUE – and History – On Juneteenth
By Francis Page Jr. for www.StyleMagazine.com
Houston has always had a sound of its own. It rises from church pews, schoolyards, Third Ward sidewalks, family reunions, community parades, and stadium tunnels where young people learn that discipline can dance and history can keep rhythm. On Juneteenth 2026, that sound stepped onto one of fashion’s most recognizable stages as Texas Southern University’s legendary Ocean of Soul Marching Band was featured in Vogue Magazine’s Summer 2026 issue, released in print on June 19.
For TSU, this was more than a glossy magazine moment. It was a cultural victory march.
The Vogue feature showcases the full Ocean of Soul ensemble — the marching band, drum majors, and the celebrated Motion of the Ocean dance team — in an editorial spread that captures the visual strength, musical precision, and cultural identity of one of the nation’s premier HBCU marching bands. And in classic Ocean fashion, the moment does not whisper. It arrives with brass, bass, elegance, choreography, and that signature Houston confidence.
The release date carries deep historical meaning. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally received word of freedom — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Galveston sits just down the road from Texas Southern University’s Houston campus, making this national feature feel powerfully full circle. From the birthplace of Juneteenth to the pages of Vogue, the journey of Black freedom, creativity, and excellence continues to move forward — one bold step at a time.
Texas Southern University President J.W. Crawford III described the feature as a moment belonging not only to the students and university, but also to Houston and every HBCU in America. That sentiment rings true. This honor celebrates every student who has carried an instrument through long rehearsals, every dancer who has sharpened a routine until it sparkled, every drum major who has commanded the field, and every alumnus who still hears the Ocean in their heart.
The feature also arrives during Black Music Month, the annual June celebration of Black musical heritage and its unmatched impact on American culture. From gospel, jazz, blues, soul, funk, R&B, hip-hop, and zydeco to the high-energy brilliance of HBCU marching bands, Black music has never simply entertained America — it has educated, challenged, healed,
Under the leadership of Director of Bands Brian Simmons, now entering his sixth season, the Ocean has enjoyed one of the most visible and impressive runs in its history. The band has performed at WrestleMania, become a crowd favorite at Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans, and appeared on major stages that continue to introduce the HBCU band tradition to wider audiences.
In 2024, the Ocean of Soul accompanied Houston’s own Beyoncé Knowles-Carter during her unforgettable Christmas Day “Beyoncé Bowl” performance, bringing the HBCU marching band sound to a global audience. The band also performed alongside Grammy-winning artist Lizzo at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, further cementing TSU’s place at the intersection of education, entertainment, culture, and Black excellence.
Director Simmons has said the Vogue moment reflects the legacy of every student who has worn the uniform and the daily preparation required to represent Texas Southern University with distinction. Behind every breathtaking photo is a deeper story: early rehearsals, late practices, academic responsibility, teamwork, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
That is what makes the Ocean of Soul so powerful. It is not just a band. It is a classroom in motion. It teaches leadership, confidence, precision, creativity, endurance, and pride. It preserves tradition while preparing students for national and global stages. With every performance, the Ocean reminds us that culture is not only something we inherit — it is something we practice, protect, and pass forward.
For Houston, this moment is personal. Texas Southern University has long been one of the city’s great engines of opportunity, producing leaders in law, education, public service, business, the arts, and civic life. When Ocean of Soul appears in Vogue, Houston appears, too — stylish, historic, resilient, brilliant, and ready for its close-up.
Supporters are invited to help keep the music rising through TSU’s High Tide giving campaign, which supports scholarships, instruments, equipment, travel, and continued excellence for the Ocean of Soul program.
DONATE HERE:
https://give.tsu.edu/campaign/623059/donate
and moved it. The Ocean of Soul proudly stands in that tradition.
H ROTHKO CHAPEL – ON MEMORIES &
At
ORothko Chapel, Houston Turns Memory Into Civic Mission
n Juneteenth, inside one of Houston’s most reflective sacred spaces, history was not treated as a museum piece. It was treated as a civic responsibility.
Rothko Chapel hosted “On Memory & Memorials” on Friday, June 19, 2026, bringing together Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis , Rothko Chapel President Imam Abdullah Antepli, architect and author Michael Murphy , and acclaimed landscape designer Walter Hood for a powerful public conversation on how communities confront racial injustice through public space, education, architecture, and remembrance.
The timing carried deep meaning. The dialogue came one day before Com-
missioner Ellis’ public unveiling of plans for downtown Houston’s Remembrance Park, a future civic space designed to honor African American resilience, truth-telling, and the ongoing pursuit of justice.
Moderated by Imam Antepli, the conversation reflected Rothko Chapel’s enduring role as more than a quiet room of world-renowned art. Since its dedication in 1971, the Chapel has stood as an interfaith, nonsectarian sanctuary where spirituality, human rights, and public conscience meet.
Commissioner Ellis framed memory as something more than symbolism. Public spaces, he reminded the audience, teach. They reveal whose stories are honored, whose pain is acknowledged, and
whose future is welcomed into the civic imagination.
Murphy emphasized that architecture is never neutral; it can either preserve silence or create room for truth. Hood expanded that vision through landscape, reminding Houston that land itself carries memory and can become a place of healing.
For Houston Style Magazine readers, Remembrance Park represents more than a new public space. It is a promise that progress must include truth, beauty, accountability, and courage.
www.RothkoChapel.org
www.hcp1.net/CommissionerEllis
Rodney Ellis – Harris County Commissioner
Michael Murphy – CEO Mass Design Group
Walter Hood – Hood Design Studio
Imam Abdullah Antepli – Rothko Chapel
Photos By Samantha Nava & Caleb Thornton
On Juneteenth, inside one of Houston’s most contemplative spaces, the conversation was not simply about what history remembers. It was about what public spaces dare to say out loud.
The Rothko Chapel hosted “On Memory & Memorials” on Friday, June 19, 2026, bringing together Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Rothko Chapel President Imam Abdullah Antepli, architect and author Michael Murphy , and renowned landscape designer Walter Hood for a thoughtful public dialogue on how architecture, landscape, education, and memorialization can help communities confront racial injustice.
The timing could not have been more powerful. Held on Juneteenth, the conversation arrived one day before Commissioner Ellis’ public unveiling of plans for downtown Houston’s Remembrance Park, a future civic space designed to honor African American resilience, truth-telling, and the unfinished journey toward justice.
Moderated by Imam Abdullah Antepli, the panel moved with the kind of moral clarity that has long made Rothko Chapel more than a quiet room with famous paintings. It is a sanctuary for reflection, yes, but also a civic stage where conscience gets a microphone. Founded by Dominique and John de Menil and dedicated in 1971, the Chapel has built a national reputation as an interfaith, nonsectarian space where spirituality, art, dialogue, and human rights meet without
Commissioner Rodney Ellis Joins Rothko Chapel Conversations On Memory, Memorials, and Houston's Fight For Racial Justice
needing a translator.
Commissioner Ellis , a longtime civil rights leader and public servant, placed the discussion firmly in Houston’s living reality. Public memory, he suggested, is not decorative. It is instructive. It asks a city to look at itself honestly, not to remain trapped by the past, but to move forward with greater purpose. In a region as diverse and fast-growing as Harris County, the question is not whether public spaces carry meaning. They always do. The question is whose stories are centered, whose pain is acknowledged, and whose future is invited into the design.
Michael Murphy, founder of AMMA and former co-founder and CEO of MASS Design Group, brought the architect’s lens to the conversation. His work has explored how buildings influence behavior, health, dignity, and community life. At Rothko Chapel, Murphy’s presence underscored a central idea: buildings are not neutral. They either reinforce silence or create room for truth. When designed with moral imagination, architecture can become a form of public education.
Walter Hood , MacArthur Fellow
and founder of HOOD Design Studio , widened the frame through landscape. Hood’s work reminds us that land itself holds memory. Trees, pathways, gathering spaces, shade, water, and native plantings are not merely beautification tools. They can be instruments of healing. In the right hands, a park becomes more than grass and benches. It becomes a classroom without walls, a sanctuary without pews, and sometimes, a mirror a city has avoided for too long.
That is what makes Remembrance Park such a consequential project for Houston. Planned for downtown near Buffalo Bayou and Quebedeaux Park, the space is expected to include historical markers honoring Harris County victims of racial terror lynching. For generations, these stories were too often omitted from public view. Naming them now is not about reopening wounds for spectacle. It is about refusing to let silence masquerade as peace.
The panel also spoke to a larger Houston truth: our city knows how to build. We build medical centers, highways, stadiums, campuses,
neighborhoods, and skylines. But the deeper civic challenge is learning how to build memory with the same ambition. A city that remembers honestly can govern more justly, educate more fully, and welcome more generously.
For Houston Style Magazine readers, this conversation reflected the best of what civic leadership and cultural institutions can do together. Commissioner Ellis brought public purpose. Rothko Chapel brought sacred space. Imam Antepli brought bridge-building dialogue. Murphy and Hood brought design brilliance rooted in justice. Together, they offered Houston a blueprint for remembrance that is neither frozen in grief nor afraid of accountability.
And that may be the most hopeful takeaway: memory, when handled with care, does not keep a city stuck. It helps a city grow up.
In a Houston that continues to expand, diversify, and redefine itself, “On Memory & Memorials” reminded us that progress is not only measured by cranes in the sky. Sometimes, progress looks like a community sitting together at noon on Juneteenth, facing hard history, and deciding that the future deserves more truth, more beauty, and a whole lot more courage.
For more information, visit Rothko Chapel and the Office of Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis
Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Rothko - Imam Abdullah Antepli
Christian Menefee – U.S. Congressman, 18th District
Christian with wife Kaitlyn Menefee
Photos By Linda Toyota & Menefee Office
Rev. Cosby, George Hanks & Wanda Adams
Christian's Parents - Christian & Gayle Menefee
In Fort Bend County, courthouse convenience just got a modern makeover — and yes, democracy looks pretty good in digital form.
Fort Bend County District Clerk Beverley McGrew Walker, widely known as “The People’s Clerk,” has announced the launch of Phase II of the District Clerk’s modernized E-Certify document certification system, effective June 22, 2026. The upgraded online service gives residents, attorneys, litigants, and authorized parties faster, more convenient access to certified court documents without having to make a trip to the courthouse, wait in line, or wonder whether paperwork is still “somewhere in processing.”
In practical terms, this is public service with fewer steps and more results. The enhanced E-Certify platform allows users to obtain certified copies online with just a few clicks, expanding access to the justice system in a way that is both efficient and people-centered. According to the Fort Bend County District Clerk’s Office, the system allows users to preview case documents of up to 50 pages before purchasing, receive same-day certified copies electronically, and gives attorneys and parties to a case secure portal access to eligible unredacted documents.
FORT BEND COUNTY DISTRICT CLERK BEVERLEY MCGREW WALKER
EXPANDS PUBLIC ACCESS WITH NEW E-CERTIFY SYSTEM
By Francis Page, Jr. for www.StyleMagazine.com
For a fast-growing county like Fort Bend, where residents balance busy work schedules, family obligations, court responsibilities, and everyday life, this is more than a technology upgrade. It is a democracy upgrade. Public records are one of the building blocks of public trust, and the ability to access them securely and efficiently helps make government more transparent, responsive, and accountable.
es, attorneys, litigants, and residents seeking clarity in important legal matters. Whether someone needs certified documents for a legal filing, personal record, business transaction, or court-related purpose, the new process is designed to move public service closer to the public.
background in law, education, and public service adds important context to an office that handles court records, filings, and certified documents that residents rely on daily.
Of course, even in the digital age, not every document can be made available to everyone. The District Clerk’s Office notes that some case types and documents may remain restricted under applicable laws, court orders, standing orders, confidentiality rules, or other legal requirements. That safeguard is important. True access must be balanced with privacy, security, and respect for the legal process.
“The launch of Phase II reflects our continued commitment to leveraging technology to improve public service and provide secure, efficient access to court records for all constituents,” said Beverley McGrew Walker,
Fort Bend County District Clerk.
That statement captures the larger civic meaning of the moment. Access to court documents may sound procedural, but in real life, it can affect families, business-
The E-Certify system also improves transparency by helping users quickly identify and obtain the documents they need through a more efficient online process. That matters in a county as diverse and dynamic as Fort Bend, where government services must keep pace with population growth, technological expectations, and the public’s need for timely information.
Walker, who is serving her second term as District Clerk, is a licensed Texas attorney with degrees from Texas A&M University, the University of Houston, and Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Her professional
Still, the message from Fort Bend County is clear: public service should not be trapped in yesterday’s paperwork maze. With Phase II of E-Certify, the District Clerk’s Office is giving residents a smarter, faster, and more transparent way to interact with the court records system.
For Houston Style Magazine readers, this is the kind of civic progress worth applauding. It is not flashy, but it is powerful. It is government doing what government should do: opening doors, saving time, protecting information, and serving people with dignity.
Women across Houston and beyond are preparing for a transformational weekend of worship, sisterhood, and spiritual renewal as the highly anticipated Exodus Women’s Conference 2026 returns August 7–8, 2026, with a powerful declaration already resonating throughout the city: “She Is Planted.”
Presented by Blueprint Church and hosted by Pastors Matthew and Falyn Davis, Exodus has quickly become one of Houston’s premier gatherings for women seeking inspiration, encouragement, healing, and a deeper connection with God. Following a sold-out conference in 2025 that welcomed more than 750 women, Exodus returns with even greater anticipation as women from across Texas and beyond prepare to gather once again.
More than a conference, Exodus has become a thriving community and annual gathering where women encounter God, discover purpose, experience healing, and build lasting relationships. It is a sacred space where women are invited to grow deeper roots, strengthen their faith, and embrace the purpose God has uniquely designed for their lives.
Taking place at Fallbrook Church, located at 12512 Walters Road in Houston, the two-day experience is expected to attract women from across the nation who are ready to step away from the demands of everyday
EXODUS WOMEN'S CONFERENCE 2026 – SHE IS PLANTED
— A Powerful Weekend of Faith, Growth & Transformation
life and into an atmosphere filled with hope, worship, wisdom, and authentic community.
A Theme Rooted in Strength
By Francis Page, Jr. for www.StyleMagazine.com
Inspired by Psalm 1:1-3, Jeremiah 17:7-8 and Psalm 92:13, this year’s theme, “ She Is Planted ,” reminds women that those who are rooted in God can flourish in every season of life.
The imagery is powerful: a tree firmly planted by streams of water, remaining strong, fruitful, and steadfast regardless of the circumstances surrounding it.
In a world that often feels uncertain and constantly changing, Exodus 2026 offers a timely reminder that true strength comes from being firmly planted in God’s promises. When women are rooted in faith, they can weather life’s storms, overcome obstacles, and continue growing into the women God created them to be.
The conference will challenge attendees to move beyond simply surviving and embrace a life of thriving—spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and relationally.
A Weekend Designed to Refresh the Soul
Women attending
Exodus 2026 will experience a carefully curated weekend designed to nourish the spirit, strengthen faith, and foster authentic connection.
The conference will feature powerful worship experiences that create space for personal renewal, alongside transformational speakers who will share messages of hope, resilience, healing, and purpose.
Among this year’s featured guests is Dr. Anita Phillips, renowned trauma therapist, pastor, bestselling author of The Garden Within, and trusted voice at the intersection of faith, mental health, and emotional wellness.
Her ministry has impacted thousands across the country, helping people find healing, hope, and wholeness through God’s truth.
Attendees will also engage in meaningful conversations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions addressing the real-life challenges and opportunities women face in every season of life. Topics will include faith, mental health, relationships, finances, leadership, motherhood, purpose, and personal growth.
Throughout the weekend, intentional moments of prayer, reflection, and encouragement will provide opportunities for women to deepen their relationship with God and leave refreshed, empowered, and equipped.
Perhaps most importantly, Exodus will bring together women from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and generations, creating a vibrant atmosphere of sisterhood where lasting friendships are formed, stories are shared, and lives are transformed.
REGISTER TODAY
Exodus Women’s Conference 2026
• Friday and Saturday • August 7-8, 2026
• Fallbrook Church • 12512 Walters Road, Houston, Texas 77014
Registration is now open: https://blueprintchurch.brushfire.com/exodusconference2026/611835
Riceville Memorial Unveiled On Juneteenth, A Legacy
On Juneteenth 2026 morning, Houston paused at Riceville Cemetery not only to remember history—but to give it a permanent place to stand.
Community leaders, residents, descendants and preservation advocates gathered Friday, June 19, 2026, at the historic Riceville Cemetery, 9945 Honeywell Road, for the unveiling of the Riceville Memorial, a moving tribute to one of the Houston area’s oldest African American communities. Hosted by Houston City Council Member Edward Pollard of District J, in partnership with community leaders and residents, the ceremony carried the powerful theme: “A Legacy of Faith, Freedom & Resilience.” Riceville’s story is Houston’s story—
By Lisa Valadez
one rooted in courage, community-building and the unshakable determination of Black families who carved out lives of dignity after emancipation. The historic community, founded in the 1850s and long centered around Riceville Mount Olive Baptist Church, represents the kind of local legacy too often left out of textbooks but never forgotten by descendants.
The Juneteenth ceremony featured opening and closing remarks from Council Member Pollard, special recognition of Nakia Cooper of the Rice family, a choir selection, and reflections from Pastor Thomas T. Davis Jr. of Riceville Mount Olive Baptist Church, artist Mathieu Jean Baptiste, Sheri Cortez of Brays Oaks Management District, and Sharon Young
of Faith & Freedom Rises
of Neighborhood to Trails SW.
Created by Houston artist Mathieu Jean Baptiste, the memorial now stands as both artwork and witness. With support from Council Member Pollard, Chief of Staff Paul Young, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones, and community partners, Riceville’s past has been honored—and its future beautifully illuminated. Houston Style Magazine readers, on Juneteenth, Riceville reminded Houston that democracy is strongest when every community’snhistory is seen, spoken and preserved.
www.StyleMagazine.com
Council Member Edward Pollard
Artist Jean Baptiste, Pollard & Briones
Artist Mathieu Jean Baptiste
Members Ramirez, Pollard, Alcorn
Photos By Lisa Valadez & District J
Rice Family
Somebody cue the skyline lights and warm up the welcome committee:
Houston has landed among the nation’s elite convention destinations. In a new inaugural ranking from U.S. News & World Report, Texas’ largest city was named the No. 5 Best Conference City in the United States, making Houston the top-ranked convention city in Texas.
The ranking, released June 23, 2026, evaluated 52 major U.S. cities based on meeting space, accessibility, affordability, safety, sustainability and destination appeal, while also incorporating the perspective of industry experts. Translation: this was not a popularity contest—it was a data-driven nod to cities that know how to host big business, big crowds and big experiences.
And Houston, being Houston, did not just show up. It showed out.
With the George R. Brown Convention Center anchoring Downtown Houston, NRG Center serving the massive Reliant Park campus, two major airports, a thriving hotel market and a restaurant scene that can take visitors from brisket to birria to James Beard-worthy brilliance in one afternoon, Houston has become a city where business travel feels less like obligation and more like opportunity.
HOUSTON SHINES AT NO. 5: U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT NAMES
BAYOU CITY ONE OF AMERICA’S BEST CONVENTION CITIES
“Houston is a strong city, and we are getting stronger every day,” said Mayor John Whitmire.
“Conventions create jobs, attract visitors, and generate economic opportunity for our entire community.
By Francis Page, Jr. for www.StyleMagazine.com
By significantly increasing the size of the George R. Brown Convention Center and the entertainment district, we are investing in Houston’s future and ensuring our city remains a top destination for business, tourism and economic development. This ranking validates that Houston is heading in the right direction.”
That direction is straight toward transformation.
Construction is underway on GRB South, a 700,000-square-foot expansion that will directly connect to the south end of the current George R. Brown Convention Center. The $1.14 billion Phase 1 project is designed to increase capacity, flexibility
and the overall visitor experience. The existing GRB already offers nearly 1.9 million square feet of usable space and is connected to the 1,200-room Hilton Americas-Houston and the
1,000-room Marriott Marquis Houston, with Discovery Green providing a 12-acre front lawn for one of America’s most dynamic convention campuses.
“Ranking among the top five convention destinations in the U.S. is a testament to Houston’s momentum as a premier global event city,” said Michael Heckman, President and CEO of Houston First Corporation. “This honor reflects our hospitality community’s unmatched service and experiences. With our $1.1 billion Phase 1 of the Convention District Transformation opening in early 2028, we are set to elevate our position for years to come.”
That elevation matters. Conven-
tions are not just about badges, breakout sessions and buffet lines. They fill hotel rooms, support small businesses, boost restaurants, hire local vendors, create hospitality jobs and introduce visitors to Houston’s culture, creativity and can-do spirit.
At Reliant Park, the 350-acre campus connected to Downtown by METRORail, NRG Center adds more than 700,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including 11 exhibit halls. It is home to major events such as the Offshore Technology Conference, one of Houston’s long-standing global business gatherings.
Houston’s momentum is already showing up in the numbers. In 2025, the Houston First Sales team booked 517 future meetings and conventions representing 881,737 hotel room nights—a new record. Those bookings span energy, finance, life sciences, trade associations and national organizations.
U.S. News Senior Travel Editor Elizabeth Von Tersch praised Houston’s practical advantages and personality, noting the city’s two major airports, affordable hotels, Astros games, rodeos and renowned food scene as part of its off-the-clock appeal.
In Houston, where community spirit often shows up wearing Sunday-best generosity and a smile big enough to light up a gymnasium, Civic Heart Community Services has once again reminded us that service is never just about giving things away. Sometimes, it is about giving young people a moment to feel seen, celebrated, and ready to shine.
Through its heartwarming Project Prom initiative, Civic Heart Community Services partnered with Boynton Methodist Church and J&L Insurance to donate more than 200 prom dresses to students at Jane Long Academy, a Houston ISD campus serving students and families from one of the city’s most diverse and hardworking communities. The result was more than a dress distribution. It was a day of dignity, sisterhood, encouragement, and joyful transformation.
Students browsed racks of gowns in every color and personality — elegant, bold, sparkling, classic, and camera-ready. Some came looking for “the one.” Others found it after a friend, a volunteer, or a classmate said the magic words: “That looks beautiful on you.” And just like that, Project Prom became less about fabric and more about confidence.
There were smiles. There were
PROJECT PROM: CIVIC HEART, BOYNTON METHODIST CHURCH & J&L
INSURANCE HELP HOUSTON STUDENTS STEP INTO CONFIDENCE
By Francis Page, Jr. for www.StyleMagazine.com
selfies. There were second opinions delivered with the urgency of a red-carpet stylist. There were young women helping one another zip, adjust, twirl, and dream. In a world that too often asks students to grow up too fast, this event gave them permission to enjoy a milestone many teenagers look forward to for years.
“This was about so much more than dresses,” said Anita Bates, CEO of Civic Heart Community Services. “Every young woman deserves the opportunity to feel confident, valued, and celebrated. Project Prom was an opportunity to pour love into these girls and remind them that their community believes in them and is rooting for their success.”
That message landed beautifully. For many students, prom is not simply a school dance. It is a rite of passage — one of those once-in-a-lifetime snapshots tucked into family albums, phone galleries, and
future memories. Yet the cost of formalwear can place that experience out of reach for many families. Project Prom stepped into that gap with grace, proving that when community partners move with purpose, barriers can be replaced with blessings.
The collaboration among Civic Heart Community Services, Boynton Methodist Church, and J&L Insurance reflects the very best of Houston’s civic DNA: people, faith communities, businesses, nonprofits, and neighbors working together to make sure young people do not just attend the moment — they own it.
For Jane Long Academy students, the day offered more than a gown. It offered affirmation. It said: You matter. Your joy matters. Your memories matter. Your future is worth investing in.
That is the kind of message that does not hang in a closet after prom night. It stays with a young woman long after the music fades.
Houston Style Magazine is proud to serve as the media sponsor for this important community outreach event and to spotlight partners who understand that real community impact is stitched together one act of kindness at a time.
Civic Heart Community Services, a Houston-based nonprofit organization
located in the historic Third Ward, continues its mission of helping individuals and families empower themselves through programs focused on youth development, workforce readiness, housing stability, health and wellness, prevention education, civic engagement, and wraparound community support. Serving more than 65,000 individuals annually, Civic Heart remains a trusted force for opportunity, compassion, and measurable change across Houston and surrounding communities.
Project Prom was a beautiful reminder that when Houston shows up for its young people, it does more than dress them for one night. It helps prepare them to walk boldly into every room life has waiting.
