Houston Style Magazine OCTOBER 29, 2026 – NOVEMBER 04, 2026
Houston’s Premiere Weekly Publication, Since 1989
Volume 37 | Number 44
Complimentary
H H H H OCTOBER is Breast Cancer Awareness Month H H H H
Ben Jealous Could Trump’s Execution Push Help End the Death
JAY-Z CALLS HIS OWN NUMBER: HOV HEADS TO SUPER BOWL LXI
Donald Sparks Why I Vote on Election Day
By Francis Page Jr. for www.StyleMagazine.com
Traci Gibson Leads Harris County Democrats as Early Voting Surges
Civic Heart Masquerade Ball Saturday
Boulevard 61 Opens New Doors on Richmond
Makaya McCraven
N E W S | C O M M E N TA R I E S | S P O R T S | H E A LT H | E N T E R TA I N M E N T Supporting Small Owned Businesses
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October 29, 2026 – November 04, 2026
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Jay-Z Calls His Own Number: HOV Heads to Super Bowl LXI By Francis Page Jr., for www.Stylemagazine.com
Publisher Francis Page, Jr. fpagejr@stylemagazine.com Associate Publisher Lisa Valadez lisa@stylemagazine.com Social Media Editor/Videographer Reginald Dominique reggiedominique@me.com Graphic Design /Layout Editor Cameron C. Lee thisiscam6@gmail.com Political Editor Burt Levine texascampaigns@gmail.com Sports Editor Brian Barefield brian_barefield@yahoo.com Food & Wine Writer Monica Jones alexandriajack1991@gmail.com Entertainment Writer D'Nesha Bell / TotallyRandie Totallyrandie@gmail.com Career Columnist Nikki Miles ailormaderesumes2576@gmail.com NATIONAL WRITERS Ben Jealous info@benjealous.com PHOTOGRAPHERS Vicky Pink vhpink@gmail.com ADVERTISING/SALES advertising@stylemagazine.com Got community news? We want to hear from you! SEND: editorial@stylemagazine.com
MINORITY PRINT MEDIA, LLC, D.B.A. Houston Style Magazine & www.StyleMagazine.com Phone: (713) 748-6300 • Fax: (713) 748-6320 Mail: P.O. Box 14035, Houston, TX 77221-4035 ©2026 Houston Style Magazine, a Minority Print Media, L.L.C. Company. All Right Reserved. Reproduction in whole or within part without permission is prohibited. Houston Style Magazine has a 2021 Audit by Circulation Verification Council (CVC). Houston Style Magazine is a member of the Texas Publishers Association (TPA), Texas Community Newspaper Association (TCNA), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Independent Free Paper of America (IFPA), Association of Free Community Papers (AFCP) and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP). National Association of Hispanic Publications, Inc. (NAHP, Inc.), Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (HHCC), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Latin Women’s Initiative (LWI), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals (HAHMP), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), and Supporters of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP)
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he NFL needed a halftime headliner for 2027. Turns out, the perfect candidate was already in the building—and, quite possibly, holding the playlist. Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, the Brooklyn-born rapper, entrepreneur and Roc Nation founder affectionately known as HOV, will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show on February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Announced October 26 by the NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation, the booking delivers an irresistible full-circle moment. Since 2019, Carter’s company has helped shape the league’s premier musical showcase, elevating hip-hop, Latin music and global stars. Now the man who helped assemble the performances is trading the executive’s seat for center stage. Call it the ultimate self-assist. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he had long hoped Carter would eventually perform when the timing felt right. Apparently, after seven years of helping steer the spectacle, HOV has decided the moment is his. No surprise guests have been announced, but the possibilities already have music fans playing fantasy halftime producer. The occasion comes wrapped in musical history. Carter’s groundbreaking 1996 debut, Reasonable Doubt, celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026; his influential 2001 album, The Blueprint, turns 25. His anniversary concerts have filled venues from Yankee Stadium to London, Paris and SoFi itself. With 25 Grammy Awards, a Songwriters Hall of Fame breakthrough and a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, his résumé hardly needs a hype man.
Jay-Z
And Houston has good reason to cheer. Long before Super Bowl spotlights, Jay-Z joined Port Arthur legends Bun B and the late Pimp C of UGK on “Big Pimpin’,” an unforgettable bridge between New York swagger and Gulf Coast rap royalty. Rice University’s archives even
remains an exciting possibility, not a promised appearance. Recent halftime productions have emphasized cultural range, from Shakira and Jennifer Lopez to Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny’s 2026 celebration of Puerto Rican music. Carter inherits that broad canvas with a catalog spanning “Hard Knock Life,” “99 Problems” and “Empire State of Mind.” Whether he leans on nostalgia, reinvention or both, the stage is built for more than a greatest-hits medley. For Houston viewers, the date is worth circling: Sunday, February 14, 2027. The game and halftime show are scheduled for ESPN, ABC and Disney+, with additional viewing options through NFL platforms. The Super Bowl has always crowned football champions. This time, halftime belongs to a man who has spent decades proving that hip-hop can write its own playbook—and call its own number.
www.StyleMagazine.com document the trio performing the song at a 1999 Houston custom-car show. That is not merely a music footnote; that is Texas hip-hop history with the volume turned up. Then there is Beyoncé. Houston’s hometown superstar—Carter’s wife and fellow cultural powerhouse—headlined Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, reuniting Destiny’s Child, and returned as a guest during Coldplay’s Super Bowl 50 performance in 2016. A Valentine’s Day duet would be television gold. But until the artists or organizers confirm a guest list, Queen Bey
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October 29, 2026 – November 04, 2026
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Could Trump’s Execution Push Help End the Death Penalty? A CANCELED FORT HOOD EXECUTION LIVESTREAM, REPUBLICAN CALLS FOR REPEAL AND NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT ARE RESHAPING THE NATIONAL DEBATE—WITH PARTICULAR RELEVANCE FOR TEXAS. By Ben Jealous, National Political Commentator
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onths President Donald Trump’s push for more executions—and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s plan to livestream one—help accelerate efforts to abolish the death penalty in America? After a tumultuous October, the question deserves a closer look. The case is particularly close to home for Texans. Nidal Malik Hasan, convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009, is scheduled for a military firing-squad execution on December 3, 2026. Hegseth wanted Americans to watch it online. Lawmakers from both parties objected. North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis called the proposal “beyond disgusting” and compared public executions to practices of oppressive dictatorships. Utah Republican Sen. John Curtis warned that “a civilization erodes” when executions become entertainment. An ABC News–Washington Post–Ipsos poll found 80% of Americans opposed livestreaming Hasan’s execution, including 64% of Republicans. On October 15, Trump canceled the broadcast. The execution itself remains scheduled. When Conservatives Question State Power Opposing a broadcast is not the same as opposing capital punishment. That same poll found 53% of Americans supported Hasan’s execution by firing squad. Yet other Republican leaders are reconsidering the state’s power to take a life. On October 20, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey commuted Toforest Johnson’s death sentence to life without parole. Convicted of murdering sheriff’s deputy William Hardy, Johnson has maintained his innocence. His conviction stands, and Ivey did not declare him innocent. She questioned whether the direct evidence was sufficient to justify execution—a punishment that leaves no room to correct a mistake. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine helped
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revive his state’s death penalty law in 1981. This June, after decades as a prosecutor, lawmaker and governor, he called for abolition. “The moral justification I had,” DeWine said, “no longer exists.” He argued that capital punishment does not deter murder and described the prolonged toll on victims’ families. Bipartisan repeal legislation faces opposition. These are not identical positions. They nevertheless pose a shared question: How can Americans distrust government with ordinary powers, yet trust it never to make a fatal mistake? Why Texas and Harris County Matter For Houston readers, this debate is anything but abstract. Texas has executed
October 29, 2026 – November 04, 2026
more people than any other state since modern executions resumed. Harris County alone accounts for 136 executions—more than any other state except Texas itself, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Victims’ families, defendants, jurors and entire communities live with the consequences. Fifty Years After Gregg v. Georgia In 1976, Gregg v. Georgia allowed executions to resume under revised death penalty laws. But the Eighth Amendment still prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. In Atkins v. Virginia and Roper v. Simmons, the Supreme Court limited capital punishment by considering America’s “evolving standards of decency.”
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Today, 23 states have abolished the death penalty. Another 10 retain it but have gone at least a decade without an execution. That makes 33 states where executions have ended in law or been absent for at least 10 years. Three more abolition states would create a numerical majority, though the Constitution establishes no automatic 26-state test. Execution methods raise questions, too. Tennessee’s September attempt to execute Christa Pike by lethal injection failed; she survived. Republican Gov. Bill Lee ordered an independent review and halted the state’s remaining scheduled executions for 2026. September also marked 15 years since Georgia executed Troy Davis. I stood outside that prison. Seven of nine key witnesses had recanted or changed their accounts. William Sessions, who led the FBI under Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush, urged Georgia to stop. It did not. I helped lead Maryland’s successful abolition campaign in 2013. I learned that the cause can unite people who disagree on almost everything else: believers in redemption, skeptics of government power and citizens determined not to risk an irreversible injustice. Virginia followed in 2021, becoming the first former Confederate state to end capital punishment. None of this guarantees abolition. Executions continue, and supporters argue that capital punishment can deliver justice for victims of heinous crimes. Still, this October raised questions that political labels cannot neatly contain. Trump and Hegseth sought to demonstrate the severity of punishment. They may instead have encouraged more Americans to examine what government killing means. Fifty years after Gregg, that examination matters more than ever. Ben Jealous is a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania and former president and CEO of the NAACP.
Why I Vote on Election Day F
or one retired military veteran, voting on November 3 is a personal tribute to African American military service, voting rights, and the enduring promise of American democracy. In the days leading up to Election Day, I enjoy seeing social media photographs of friends proudly displaying their “I Voted” stickers. Their smiles, excitement, and enthusiasm remind me that participating in our nation's democratic process is both a privilege and a responsibility. Yet, despite sharing that enthusiasm, I choose to wait until Election Day. Friends often ask why. My answer begins with my military service. In 1988, just shy of my 20th birthday, I left home to serve my country. My military assignments took me across Europe, Asia, and several states. Because I was frequently stationed away from home, I exercised my voting rights through absentee ballots rather than visiting a polling place. When I retired in 2018, I made myself a promise: I would stand in line and cast my ballot in person on Election
By Donald Sparks, Special To www.Stylemagazine.com
Day, regardless of the weather. But my commitment goes deeper than personal tradition. Honoring Black Veterans Who Fought for Democracy Throughout American history, African American military veterans have defended freedoms abroad while struggling to secure those same freedoms at home. During World War II, Black service members helped fight tyranny overseas even as segregation, racial discrimination, and voter suppression denied many African Americans equal citizenship in the United States. Their courage helped inspire a powerful movement that remains relevant 81 years after World War II ended. On January 31, 1942, the in-
fluential Black newspaper Pittsburgh Courier published a letter from James G. Thompson, a defense-industry worker from Wichita, Kansas, who asked a question that challenged America's conscience: “Should I sacrifice to live half-American?” Thompson proposed a powerful concept: the Double V Campaign — victory against enemies abroad and victory against racial discrimination at home. The Pittsburgh Courier embraced his message, transforming it into a nationwide campaign demanding that America's democratic principles extend to African Americans. For Black veterans returning
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home, the struggle continued. Many confronted Jim Crow segregation, discriminatory voting practices, and racial violence. Nevertheless, their determination helped strengthen the growing movement for civil rights and equal representation. Their sacrifices remind me that the ballot represents far more than a political choice. Why My Vote Still Matters in 2026 Today, I find myself voting for many of the same principles those brave men and women defended. I vote to oppose voter intimidation and discriminatory registration practices. I vote for economic opportunity, fair representation, and equal treatment for African Americans and every American. I vote to hold elected officials accountable, defend democratic institutions, and ensure that public officials respect the people they serve.
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October 29, 2026 – November 04, 2026
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NEIL BUSH BREAKS REPUBLICAN RANKS, PROUDLY CASTS VOTE FOR JAMES TALARICO IN TEXAS SENATE RACE By Francis Page Jr. for www.StyleMagazine.com
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n Texas politics, the Bush family name has long been synonymous with Republican leadership. But sometimes, the most powerful political statements aren't made from a campaign stage. They're made in the voting booth. And Neil Bush just delivered one for the history books! In a remarkable announcement on October 20, 2026, Neil Bush, son of former President George H.W. Bush and brother of former President George W. Bush, revealed that he crossed party lines and voted for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico over Republican nominee and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. For a family that helped shape modern Republican politics in Texas, the announcement carries considerable symbolic weight.
Character Over Party: A Bush Family Declaration
Bush acknowledged that he had traditionally avoided political commentary on Facebook, preferring not to offend friends with differing viewpoints. But this election, he explained, demanded something different. His decision reflected two powerful considerations: concerns about Paxton's record and admiration for Talarico's character, principles and approach to public
The Bush Legacy Meets a Changing Texas
Neil & Barbara Bush Supporting James Talarico service.
"I have been a Republican for most of my life," Bush explained, affirming his continued commitment to traditional conservative principles. Then came the declaration that captured national attention: "But character matters more than party affiliation." Those words represent more than political independence. They underscore an enduring democratic principle: elected officials must earn public trust through integrity, accountability and respect for constitutional institutions.
A Republican Voice for Democratic Accountability
Bush specifically criticized Paxton's efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results, expressing concern about the peaceful transfer of power. Paxton was impeached by the Republican-controlled Texas House in 2023 on allegations involving misconduct, but subsequently acquitted by the Texas Senate. Importantly, Bush framed his decision around more than opposition. He praised Talarico's respectful communication, commitment to common ground and faith-inspired approach to public service. Although the two men have never met, Bush said he admired Talarico's humility, compassion and willingness to listen.
The political symbolism extends beyond Neil Bush. Barbara Bush, daughter of former President George W. Bush, contributed $2,500 in September to a political action committee supporting Talarico, according to federal campaign finance records. For Houston, where the Bush family's legacy encompasses presidential leadership, philanthropy, literacy and public service, Neil Bush's announcement carries particular resonance. It also illustrates a timeless American freedom: the right to evaluate candidates independently of family tradition or party expectations. With early voting underway and Election Day approaching November 3, the Texas Senate contest has become a national conversation about leadership and democratic responsibility. Neil Bush's decision offers a compelling reminder that political courage sometimes means crossing familiar lines— not abandoning principles but standing firmly behind them. And in a democracy, that is a message worth celebrating.
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DOWNLOAD THE HARRIS VOTES APP MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE. CHECK IF YOU’RE READY AND ELIGIBLE. GET MOVING AND VOTE! Download the Harris Votes App or visit us online to prepare for the upcoming elections. It’s important to plan, check that you have everything you need, and know where to go.
• Check your registration • Find out which forms of ID you need to bring • Review the sample ballot
IT’S YOUR CHOICE TO MAKE THIS NOVEMBER.
• Find the closest voting locations in Harris County
EARLY VOTING OCT 19-30 ELECTION DAY NOV 3 LEARN MORE AT
HARRISVOTES.COM BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE HARRIS COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE.
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October 29, 2026 – November 04, 2026
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October 29, 2026 – November 04, 2026
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TRACI GIBSON LEADS HARRIS COUNTY DEMOCRATS AS EARLY VOTING SURGES By Lisa Valadez for www.Stylemagazine.com
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arris County voters are turning out in strong numbers for the 2026 midterm election, and Harris County Democratic Party Chair Traci Gibson is focused on building momentum through neighborhood organizing, voter education and community engagement. As of Sunday, Oct. 25, 624,532 ballots had been cast in Harris County, including 587,516 in-person votes and 37,016 mail ballots received. That was approximately 57% more ballots than at the same point in the 2022 midterm election, according to The Harris County Project’s analysis of county election records. The figures are unofficial and may change during election reconciliation. The strong participation began on Oct. 19, when 104,658 voters checked in at polling locations, setting a first-day midterm record for in-person voting. Another 99,906 voters checked in the following day. For Gibson, the election is an opportunity to connect with residents and strengthen the party’s presence throughout the county. Organizing neighborhood by neighborhood Gibson said she recognized that Harris
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County was too large to organize effectively from one central office. The party divided the county into five regions, each with a dedicated organizer coordinating paid and volunteer canvassers. Teams canvass neighborhoods on weekends, speaking directly with residents about their concerns and providing election information. At the doors, Gibson said, voters frequently raise the cost of living, including groceries, rent, insurance and property taxes, along with health care affordability and concerns about political representation following Texas redistricting. “The message underneath all of it is that people want leaders who show up for them,” Gibson said. Gibson pointed to Acres Homes as an example of the strategy. She said turnout at the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center nearly doubled during the first week of early voting compared with the 2022 midterm, increasing from approximately 3,700 voters to more than 7,200. She attributed the increase to continued engagement, including monthly visits,
October 29, 2026 – November 04, 2026
canvassing at more than 1,000 doors and community phone-bank efforts. These specific figures were provided by Gibson. Reaching East Side communities The party has also dedicated a region to Latino outreach, with an emphasis on Houston’s East Side. Gibson said residents have raised concerns about immigration enforcement, redistricting and voting rights. She said the party is working to provide consistent engagement rather than limiting outreach to election season. On Oct. 23, Gibson joined U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee, Dr. Letitia Plummer, Leticia Gutierrez and Ronaldo Salgado at BakerRipley’s Ripley House for a press conference encouraging community members to participate in the election. The party is also promoting voter protection resources and sharing information to help voters navigate the ballot. Looking beyond Election Day As early voting continues through Friday, Oct. 30, Gibson said the party is focused on reminding residents about the importance of midterm elections and
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helping them complete the lengthy ballot. Outreach includes door hangers listing Democratic candidates, virtual phone banks, barbershop conversations and volunteer opportunities. Voters can access election information and sample ballots at harrisdemocrats.org/vote. Gibson said the party plans to maintain its regional organizing structure after the election, continuing its work in neighborhoods throughout the year. “Win or lose, every conversation we’ve had this cycle is a relationship we’re going to keep building,” Gibson said. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Gibson is encouraging voters to review their sample ballots, participate in the election and remain engaged in their communities beyond November. Read the full story at www. stylemagazine.com.
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October 29, 2026 – November 04, 2026
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Masks On, Hearts Open! MASQURADE Ball
Promises A Halloween Night of Hope, Elegance and Houston History By Francis Page Jr. for www.StyleMagazine.com
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ouston, polish those dancing shoes, prepare your most dazzling masquerade masks, and get ready to celebrate with a purpose! On Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 6 p.m., Civic Heart Community Services will transform The Junior League of Houston into an elegant gathering of generosity, glamour, and goodwill for its highly anticipated 2026 Civic Heart Masquerade Ball: “Masks of Hope — Unveiling Brighter Futures.” Forget the Halloween tricks. This extraordinary evening is all about treating Houston families to brighter tomorrows! As a longtime Proud Media Sponsor, Houston Style Magazine is especially excited to celebrate a remarkable organization whose journey we have supported and chronicled through decades of community service, growth, and transformation. 37 Years of Changing Lives — One Heart at a Time The Civic Heart story began in 1989 when Reverend Leslie Smith II founded Families Under Urban & Social Attack in Houston’s historic Third Ward. The organization later became Change Happens! in 2009 before embracing its current identity, Civic Heart Community Services, in 2023. Different names. One enduring
mission: empowering people to help themselves. Today, Civic Heart continues providing essential services addressing youth development, education, employment, housing stability, healthcare access, and family support. The organization reports serving more than 65,000 individuals annually, demonstrating how a neighborhood vision has become a far-reaching force for opportunity. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Anita Bates, appointed in 2026, Civic Heart is building upon this extraordinary legacy while strengthening partnerships and expanding its vision for
future generations. Honoring H-E-B’s James Harris: A Champion of Opportunity Among the evening’s anticipated highlights will be special recognition of James Harris, H-E-B’s Senior Director of Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity. A respected advocate for small businesses, economic inclusion, and community advancement, Harris has spent decades connecting entrepreneurs with meaningful opportunities. His commitment to strengthening communities reflects the very principles that have defined Civic Heart’s mission since
its founding. An Unforgettable Evening With an Extraordinary Purpose Guests can anticipate an elegant celebration featuring dinner, live entertainment, dancing, silent and live auctions, community leadership recognition, and inspiring stories of transformation. The evening will unite Houston's corporate leaders, elected officials, philanthropists, neighborhood champions, and generous supporters around a shared commitment to lasting community impact. Every ticket, sponsorship, and charitable contribution helps sustain the programs that make second chances possible, strengthen families, and create pathways toward independence. For Houston Style Magazine, this celebration is personal. Our enduring media partnership has spanned the organization's evolution from FUUSA to Change Happens! to Civic Heart, reflecting our commitment to uplifting institutions that invest in Houston's people. And what better occasion than Halloween to reveal something truly beautiful beneath every mask?
www.CivicHeart.org
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October 29, 2026 – November 04, 2026
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COLEMAN CHAMPION: BRIAUNA RIVERS PROVES THAT PURPOSE, PERSEVERANCE AND MOTHERHOOD CAN TRANSFORM LIFE’S DETOURS INTO DESTINY By Francis Page, Jr. for www.StyleMagazine.com
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n the heart of Houston’s world-renowned medical community, some of tomorrow’s healthcare champions are preparing for careers that patients may never see—but will certainly benefit from. Among them is Briauna Rivers, a Houston native, devoted mother and second-year Health Information Technology student at HCC Coleman’s campus located in the Texas Medical Center. A proud Jersey Village High School alumna and member of HCC’s anticipated Class of 2027, Rivers is proving that purpose does not always follow a straight road. Sometimes, the scenic route leads exactly where you need to be. Her journey began with a recommendation from her best friend, Jenna, an HCC Respiratory Therapy graduate who spoke enthusiastically about the college’s reputation. Rivers initially explored diagnostic medical sonography and radiography, but a conversation about medical coding opened another door. After researching HCC’s Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology, she discovered a field combining healthcare, technology and possibilities for professional growth. “I discovered that the health information technology and health information management is a growing field where there is endless opportunity to advance and explore different roles,” Rivers said. “My ultimate goal was to get into a career field
that would allow me to care for myself and my daughter.” For Rivers, the education extends well beyond software and spreadsheets. During her first two practicums, she learned directly from credentialed health information professionals, gaining clearer insight into possible careers. “It’s helped me to have a better idea of the direction in my career path that I want to go post-graduation,” she said. Rivers’ daughter remains the powerful heartbeat behind the journey. She even wrote and self-published a children’s book of positive affirmations inspired by her daughter.
“She is my world and heart walking outside m y b o d y, ” she said. “I went back to school later in life during a time when our life took an unexpected turn, but I knew I wanted to finish what I started so I can provide for her in a career that will allow me to still be a present mother for her. Rivers manages to find balance outside the classroom and serves as a special education bus monitor and Bible Study volunteer. She finds joy in singing, painting and crocheting. These activities offer respite from her busy school schedule. Rivers’ advice to fellow students is simple and enduring: “Know what your ‘why’ is because when things get tough, and
they will get tough, you won’t be so quick to give up all the hard work you’ve already put in.” She also urges students to manage their schedules carefully and make room for rest before exhaustion steals their momentum. Rivers understands that dreams sometimes change direction. What matters, she believes, is staying flexible enough to recognize opportunity when it arrives in an unexpected form. “Sometimes we think we know the path we’re going to go down but don’t end up there,” she said. “Sometimes the detours in life put us on the path we least expected but come with the biggest blessings soon to experience.” For Houston Style Magazine, her story captures something especially meaningful about Houston City College: healthcare education is not simply about preparing a workforce. It is about strengthening families, creating pathways to opportunity and helping determined Houstonians write their next chapter. Briauna Rivers is not waiting for the perfect path. She is making her own— and giving her daughter a powerful example to follow.
www.HCCS.edu
Future Forward Starts Here. The future of work is evolving rapidly. Artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, construction, and skilled trades are transforming how Houston works and grows. At HCC, students gain the knowledge, hands-on experience, and industry-recognized credentials needed to succeed in today's workforce and tomorrow's opportunities. Choose from short-term certifications, workforce training, associate and bachelor's degrees, and seamless transfer pathways to four-year universities.
Future Forward. Houston Ready. Houston City College.
Move Your Future Forward at hccs.edu. www.StyleMagazine.com
October 29, 2026 – November 04, 2026
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MAYOR WHITMIRE ANNOUNCES LIZZO AND EN VOGUE TO HEADLINE HOUSTON’S 2026 HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
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By Francis Page, Jr., for www.StyleMagazine.com
ouston holiday season is ready to hit a high note—and this year, the soundtrack has serious star power. Mayor John Whitmire announced Monday, October 26, that Houston-raised superstar Lizzo will lead the 77th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade, while legendary R&B group En Vogue will headline the city’s Deck the Hall celebration in December. The free Thanksgiving tradition steps off in downtown Houston at 9 a.m. Thursday, November 26. Four-time Grammy Award winner and Emmy Award winner Lizzo returns to the city that helped shape her musical journey as parade grand marshal. Once a flute-playing member of Alief Elsik High School’s marching band, she will share the festivities with that very band—a hometown reunion with enough heart to rival the holiday dinner table. Expect a moving celebration of Houston pride, featuring 15 floats, 10 oversized balloons, marching bands and performances. Among the eye-catching attractions are giant character balloons and H-E-Buddy, the familiar face of a grocer that has become part of Texas family life. Houston’s Thanksgiving parade dates to 1949, when Santa Claus arrived at Union Station before traveling to Foley’s downtown department store. Seventy-seven editions later, the spirit remains remarkably
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familiar: neighb o r s g a t h e r, children marvel and the city celebrates what unites it. H-E-B deserves a special holiday salute. Founded in Kerrville in 1905, the Texas-grown retailer has made community service as much a part of its identity as groceries. Its food-bank support, Feast of Sharing meals and longstanding commitment to Texas families reflect a simple belief: the season means more when everyone has a place at the table. That same spirit shines through its sponsorship of
October 29, 2026 – November 04, 2026
Houston’s signature Thanksgiving parade. T h e holiday cheer continues Saturday, December 5, as Reliant presents Deck the Hall, the Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting and Concert, at Hermann Square outside City Hall. R&B royalty En Vogue will bring signature harmonies and decades of hits, joined by powerhouse vocalist Jessica Sanchez and soul singer MAJOR. The free event promises festive activities, treats, a fireworks finale and the lighting of Houston’s 52-foot holiday tree,
adorned with 4,000 ornaments and nearly 100,000 energy-efficient LED lights. Mayor Whitmire is inviting families from every neighborhood to share these moments together. City officials are coordinating with sponsors and partners, including H-E-B, Reliant, RODEOHOUSTON, bp America and Downtown Houston+, to make the celebrations welcoming and memorable. The two occasions also spotlight civic partnerships that keep cherished downtown experiences accessible across generations, cultures and neighborhoods—proof that Houston’s greatest holiday attraction has always been its people. Whether you’re cheering for Lizzo before the turkey reaches the table or singing along with En Vogue beneath the December lights, Houston has two opportunities to make cherished memories without an admission charge. This season, the invitation is simple: bring your loved ones, bring your holiday spirit—and let Houston bring the music. For parade details, reserved seating and street closures, visit Houston’s Thanksgiving Parade. For concert information, visit Deck the Hall. Additional updates are available at the Mayor’s Office of Special Events.
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BOULEVARD 61 OPENS NEW DOORS: HOUSTON CELEBRATES 90 AFFORDABLE HOMES NEAR THE GALLERIA By Francis Page Jr., for www.StyleMagazine.com
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n a city famous for opening doors to opportunity, Boulevard 61 is helping ensure more Houstonians can afford to walk through one. The new 100-apartment, mixed-income community at 6101 Richmond Avenue was the centerpiece of an October 26 grand-opening celebration recognizing the power of public investment and purposeful partnerships. With 90 income-restricted apartments and 10 market-rate homes, the development brings a welcome dose of housing choice to Houston’s busy Galleria-area corridor. The ceremonial milestone highlighted the City of Houston’s commitment to making desirable neighborhoods accessible to residents across income levels. A $2.5 million HOME Investment Partnerships Program commitment approved by City Council in 2025 helped finance the development, a collaboration involving the City’s Housing and Community Development Department, DMA Companies and the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation. The announced program featured Mayor John Whitmire, District J Council Member Edward Pollard, District F Council Member and Housing Committee Chair Tiffany D. Thomas, and Housing Director Mike Nichols. Other listed speakers were HUD State Director Jasper Crutison, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation President David Long, Housing Alliance HTX Chief Operating Officer Neal Rackleff, and DMA
Senior Vice President Janine Sisak. Under the leadership of DMA Companies President and Owner Diana McIver, Boulevard 61 pairs attainable rents with features more often advertised as apartment luxuries: a swimming pool, fitness center, contemporary interiors and
a convenient location near jobs, shopping, health services and transportation routes. Its one-, two- and three-bedroom residences accommodate different household sizes, from working individuals to growing families. A particularly significant part of the story involves 25 apartments connected
to project-based housing vouchers administered by Housing Alliance HTX. Those homes are intended to serve households with especially limited incomes, helping bring deeper affordability into a high-opportunity part of the city. There is history behind this address, too. A decade ago, a nearby affordable-housing proposal encountered strong neighborhood opposition and never moved forward. Boulevard 61 illustrates how Houston can write a more inclusive next chapter—one in which access to opportunity is not reserved for those who can pay the highest rent. The project also joins a larger municipal effort to expand and preserve income-restricted homes. The benefits reach beyond new construction: families gain stability, neighborhoods gain economic diversity, and the city moves closer to matching its celebrated growth with housing choices for the people powering it. Boulevard 61 began welcoming residents before its formal October celebration, but the grand opening offers an important civic moment to recognize what has been accomplished—and what remains possible. For residents exploring eligibility, availability or tours, visit Boulevard 61’s official website at https://dmablvd61.com/ or learn about Houston housing resources at https://houstontx.gov/housing/.
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To register: 877-926-8300 call, email, TXAARP@AARP.org or https://events.aarp.o rg/event/TX-1107-Men go to link:
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October 29, 2026 – November 04, 2026
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DACAMERA BRINGS THE BEAT TO HOUSTON: JAZZ INNOVATOR MAKAYA MCCRAVEN MAKES HISTORIC DEBUT NOVEMBER 13 By Francis Page, Jr. for www.StyleMagazine.com
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ouston, get ready for a master class in musical time travel—no DeLorean required. On Friday, November 13, 2026, DACAMERA welcomes drummer, composer and producer Makaya McCraven for his first Houston appearance at 8 p.m. in the Cullen Theater at Wortham Theater Center. Nicknamed the “beat scientist,” McCraven does more than keep time. He bends it, loops it and gives it a new groove. For generations, jazz has been a soundtrack to African American ingenuity. From the improvisational brilliance of New Orleans to Chicago’s restless musical laboratories, artists have transformed inherited rhythms into fresh possibilities. McCraven belongs to that tradition, but his toolkit includes studio editing, hip-hop sampling and electronic production alongside the drum kit. The result is music that respects its elders without asking their permission to evolve. Born in Paris to jazz drummer Stephen McCraven and Hungarian singer and flutist Ágnes Zsigmondi, he grew up surrounded by jazz, folk music and cross-cultural collaboration. Coming of age during hip-hop’s sample-driven 1990s, he recognized the kinship between a jazz soloist reshaping a melody and a producer reshaping a breakbeat. Chicago, where he built his career, became the ideal workshop
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for that discovery. His 2015 breakthrough, In the Moment, turned recordings of improvised performances into striking new compositions. Universal Beings, released in 2018, widened the conversation across international jazz communities, while 2022’s In These Times combined expansive arrangements with deeply personal rhythms. On Deciphering the Message, McCraven even revisited the Blue Note catalog, placing a contemporary
October 29, 2026 – November 04, 2026
pulse beside the music of earlier innovators. In 2025, the experimentation continued with four connected EPs—Techno Logic, The People’s Mixtape, Hidden Out! and PopUp Shop—collected on the double album Off the Record. Captured from live improvisations and reconstructed in the studio, they demonstrate his trademark alchemy: turning fleeting musical conversations into compelling new stories. Think jazz club meets producer’s laboratory, with every player helping write the formula. For Houston, the supporting cast makes this performance especially exciting. Vibraphonist Joel Ross brings shimmering melody; guitarist Matt Gold adds texture and unexpected turns; bassist Junius Paul supplies the foundation. Alongside McCraven’s drums, they form a quartet capable of moving from a whisper to an irresistible rhythmic rush without losing the conversation. The concert also continues a proud DACAMERA legacy. Founded in 1987, the Houston arts presenter launched its jazz series in 1995 with Abbey Lincoln and Roy Hargrove. Three decades later, its programming still celebrates both cultural roots and boundary-pushing artistry. The experience should resonate in Houston, a city whose musical DNA connects jazz, blues, gospel and hip-hop.
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McCraven’s method invites listeners to hear these traditions not as competing categories, but as members of the same extended family—each borrowing, responding and building something new. Whether you are a lifelong jazz enthusiast, a hip-hop devotee or simply curious about what happens when tradition meets technology, November 13 offers a remarkable invitation: come hear where jazz has been—and where it might go next. In McCraven’s hands, the beat never stands still. Concert Information Event: DACAMERA Presents Makaya McCraven Date: Friday, November 13, 2026 • Time: 8:00 p.m. Venue: Cullen Theater, Wortham Theater Center Address: 501 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002 Tickets: $53.50–$83.50 • Box Office: 713-524-5050 Official Event Information: https://www.dacamera.com/jazz/ makaya-mccraven/ Purchase Tickets: https://www.dacamera.com/tickets/?id=18002 Makaya McCraven Official Website: https://www.makayamccraven.com/#about
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October 29, 2026 – November 04, 2026
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