To the POINT DN
ElonMusk’s$760Mfloodtunnelpitch raiseseyebrows
It seems Elon Musk’s Boring Company mightsoonbebuildingtunnelsinH-town.
Musk’s company has proposed constructingtwo12-foot-widefloodmitigationtunnels underHouston’sBuffaloBayouwatershedfor about$760million,withCongressmanWesley Hunthelpingsteerthepitch
Though far cheaper than the original multi-decade county-led tunnel plan –and muchlarger–someexpertsquestionwhether the scaled-down tunnels would be adequate for major floodingevents.AdditionalconcernsincludetheBoringCompany’s lackofrelevantexperience,limitedpublictransparencyandthe bypassingofstandardcompetitivebidding.
As extreme storms remain part of Houston’s future, this project proposes a novel but controversial approach to flood resilience
Per an investigation by local media, Musk and West have beenpushingstateandlocalofficialstohireMusk’sBoringCo. tobuildthetunnels.
Meanwhile,Lt Gov.DanPatrick,whosestaffmetwithHunt’s teamduringthelegislativesession,isopentotheplan
It remains to be seen how the plan plays out or how Houstonianswillreceiveit Untilthen,itisimperativetofollowhow the negotiations take place and who supports and objects to theproposal
Texansbracefornewlawsastheygointoeffect
On Sept. 1, Texas entered a new chapter under Gov. Greg Abbott’s sweeping agenda. The governor hails this session as “one of the most consequential in Texas history,” but Texans mustpauseandask:Consequentialforwhom?
Abbott’s slate of laws doubles down on conservative priorities. Bills like Senate Bill 2, which establishes a billion-dollar schoolvoucherprogram,promise“choice”whiledivertingpublic fundstowardprivateeducation.Meanwhile,HouseBill2’srecord investmentinteacherpayisovershadowedbymeasureslikeSB 12, which bans diversity training and mandates rigid parental controlovercurriculum.Thesemovesmayappeaseculture-war constituencies,butcriticssaytheyriskstrippingclassroomsof inclusivityandautonomy
Thegovernoralsotoutsnewrestrictionsonabortionsupport, bailreformdesignedtoproject“toughoncrime”credentialsand fresh limits on “sister-city agreements between governmental entities and foreign adversaries.” At the same time, legislation addressingwaterinfrastructureandcyberdefensereflectsreal, long-termneeds.
As these laws take effect, Texans will be watching closely. For some, they represent overdue protections and reforms. For others, theymarktroublinglimitsonrightsandfreedoms Thetrueimpactwillbemeasurednotin rhetoric,butindailylife.
Houstonpassesnewruleson homelessness
Houstonisdrawingnewboundariesforlife on the streets, tightening the rules on where peoplecanexistinpublic
Inrecentweeks,theCityCouncilhaspassedtwomeasures thatreshapehowpedestrians,panhandlersandpeopleexperiencing homelessness navigate public space. One bans sitting, standingorwalkingonnarrowtrafficmedians,whileanother expandsthecity’s“civilityordinance”tobarsleepingorstoring belongings on sidewalks in Downtown and East Downtown, nowenforceable24/7.
Fairenough Noonewantstoseeapedestrianstruckbyacar. But it is also fair to ask if the ordinance targets the city’s most visiblepoor,manyofwhompanhandlefrommediansbecause there’snowhereelsetogo
Supportersframetheselawsascommon-sensesafetytools. Councilmembersbackingthemedianbansayitcouldprevent tragicaccidents.MayorJohnWhitmireandhisteamarguethe expandedhomelessnessordinanceisaboutoutreach,notpunishment,pointingtothedangersofencampmentsandthepromise ofmoreshelterbeds Theystressthatfinesandarrestsarerare, withmostencountersaimedatconnectingpeopletoservices Yetcriticsraiseurgentquestions.Willtheseordinancessimply pushpovertyandhomelessnessoutofsightwithoutaddressing rootcauses?CouncilmembersTiffanyThomas,LetitiaPlummer and Abbie Kamin warn of unintended consequences: Criminalizinglow-incomeresidents,creatingnewcyclesofwarrants, orignoringbarriersinsheltersthatkeeppeopleonthestreets.
Houston prides itself on being a national model for reducing homelessness Yes, it is complicated. Many people living onHouston’sstreetsstrugglewithmentalillness,addiction,or trauma Theimpactoftheseordinances,whethertheyhonorthe community’slegacyorundermineit,willhingeonwhathappens aftertheyareenforced.Andwhetherthereislastinginvestment inhousing,healthcareandhumandignity
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Elon Musk’s Boring Company has proposed building $760 million flood mitigation tunnels under Houston’s Buffalo Bayou. Credit: Getty Images
Message from the Reporter
Tannistha Sinha
Section 8 changes could hurt Black families in Houston
By ReShonda Tate
BlackfamiliesinHoustonmaysoonfind stablehousingslippingfurtheroutofreach as sweeping changes to Section 8, the federalHousingChoiceVoucherProgram,take shape under the Trump administration
Amid a worsening national affordable housing and homelessness crisis, President Donald Trump’s administration is determined to reshape HUD’s expansive role providing stable housing for low-income people, which has been at the heart of its mission for generations. The proposed changesincludeatwo-yearlimitonthefederalgovernment’ssignaturerentalassistance programs
While the Trump administration has notyetofficiallyimplementedanychanges, Housing officials are on high alert. The administration’s proposed budget includes deepcutstoHUDrentalassistance,including Section 8, with reductions projected to impact millions of families nationwide.
More than 3.8 million people could lose access to housing vouchers Proposed time limits on rental assistance would also put
Advocates say proposed Section 8 changes could force families back into cycles of housing instability.
Credit: Getty
1.4millionlow-incomehouseholdsatriskof losing their homes, many of them working families with children
“Wehavebeentakinginventoryofevery program and found HUD’s rental assistance to be full of waste, fraud and abuse,”
HUDSecretaryScottTurnersaidataHouse
budget hearing in June “It’s broken and deviated from its original purpose, which is to temporarily help Americans in need. HUD assistance is not supposed to be permanent It should be a trampoline, not a hammock and not a resting place.”
The changes would transform Section 8 from a guaranteed federal program into state-administered block grants, with less oversightandstrictereligibilityrules.Familieswithoutseniorsorpeoplewithdisabilitiescouldfaceatwo-yearcaponassistance Nearly70%ofcurrentrecipientswouldlose support under the new guidelines.
For Black families in Houston—who are disproportionately represented among voucherholders—theeffectscouldbedevastating ManyHUD-assistedfamiliesalready earn less than $18,000 annually Without rental support, they would face eviction, homelessness or relocation into substandard housing.
According to the Associated Press, New research from New York University found that if families were cut off after two years, 1.4 million households could lose their
City approves disaster recovery plan
By Tannistha Sinha
Houston City Council has approved a $314.6 million disaster recovery plan to address home repairs, power generation resilience, homeless services and debris managementinthewakeofthe2024derecho and Hurricane Beryl. The measure includes amajoramendmentfromCouncilMember TiffanyThomasthatshifts$50millionfrom the city’s Power Generation and Resiliency Program to double funding for housing recovery It also allocates $100 million for housingrecoveryprograms,increasingfrom the initial $0 allocation to $50 million followingpublicoutcryatcommunityfeedback meetings
Theplanincludes:
Planning:$200,000
Administration:$15.7m
Houstonprogram:$100m ($50mforsingle-family,$50m formulti-familyhousing)
PowerGenerationResilienceProgram: $101.3m
EmergencyResponse/Public SafetyProgram:$15.3m
HomelessServicesProgram:$41m
DebrisRepositoryAcquisition/ DevelopmentProgram:32.8m
VegetationManagement/Debris RemovalProgram:$8.25m
It’s the right thing, it’s a holistic package, it’s not imbalanced and it’s the best decision with the funds that we have.”
- Council Member Tiffany Thomas
Mayor John Whitmire called the process “abalancingact”betweenrepairingdamaged homesandpreparingforthenextdisaster “Wedon’thaveagoodtrackrecord We’re still addressing Harvey funding recovery funds,” Whitmire said “So through relationships, hitting a restart button, we had to approach with what we thought our critical needswere…We’vehadaseriesofhearings We listened to the housing chair [Thomas] ofthispanel.”
The plan now heads to HUD for review andapprovalbeforethecitygetsreimbursed foranymoneyspent.
Ashift toward housing Beforetheamendment,theplansetaside $30millionformulti-familyhousingrepairs and $20 million for single-family home repairs. Thomas’ change increases both categories to $50 million each, directing more resources to residents still struggling to recoverfromthestorms’destruction.
“Ihavecompleteconfidenceinthehousing department,”saidThomas,chairofHousing andCommunityAffairs.“Evenwhenwehave weaknessesincertainareas,wehavetoscale upandgetreadyforthat.It[recoveryfunds] allows us to make deep investments longterm so we can be hyper-focused on recoveryandresponseuntilFEMAgetsinandwe receive the next fund It’s the right thing, it’s aholisticpackage,it’snotimbalancedandit’s thebestdecisionwiththefundsthatwehave.”
Tocovertheincreasedhousingallocation, Thomas’ amendment reduced the Power Generation and Resiliency Program budget from $151.3 million to $101 million. That program funds backup power systems for criticalcityfacilitieslikemulti-servicecenters, watertreatmentplantsandemergencyhubs
Will the funds be equitably disbursed?
Thomasthinksso
“With federal dollars, the good thing is thatitcomeswithguidelinestomeetcertain census tracts that meet income eligibility,
vouchers and public housing subsidies largelyworkingfamilieswithchildren.This wouldleadhousingauthoritiestoevictmany families, the report said Abroadtimelimitwouldcause“substantialdisruptionanddislocation,”itsaid,notingthepolicyislargelyuntestedandmostof thefewhousingauthoritiestovoluntarilytry it eventually abandoned the pilots.
A break from HUD’s long-held purpose ofhelpinghousethepoorcouldalsojeopardizeitscontractswithprivatelandlords,who saythey’realreadyfeelingtheuncertaintyas publichousingauthoritiesannouncethey’re scaling back in anticipation of the cuts.
Critics fear the restriction could derail those working towards self-sufficiency defeating the goal time-limit supporters hope to achieve. Congress is on summer break until Sept 2 and has until the Sept 30governmentfundingdeadlinetofinalize and pass a funding bill
Howthefundingshortfalls goesbeyondhousing
Council member Tiffany Thomas told the Defender that proposing the amendment was the “right thing” to do Credit: Tiffany Thomas’ office
which keeps us in integrity about who gets what and how,” she said. “The good news is we have a framework for going into these neighborhoods, these zip codes (LMI), to addressthoseneeds.”
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez Works toward reform in Harris County jail
By Tannistha Sinha
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez insists his mandate is simple: Serve everyone, even thosewhodidn’tvoteforhim.
He won a third term last November with justover53%ofthevote,anarrowmarginthat underscores both the expectations and scrutinynowshadowingtheleaderofTexas’largest sheriff’soffice
“When I die, I want to die on empty, not becauseI’mtired,butbecauseIusedeveryskill and talent I was blessed with for the greater good of just trying to leave the world a better place than I found it,” Gonzalez told the Defender
The Houston native recalls learning as a child that his father could not read or write and later, that his dad was once incarcerated in the very jail Gonzalez now oversees. That experience,hesays,fueledhisempathyandhis fixationonnavigators,systemsandpeoplewho helpothersthroughcomplicatedbureaucracies, fromjobapplicationstocourtrooms.
If Gonzalez’s rhetoric leans humane, his third term is defined by difficult problems in local criminal justice: A jail under remedial ordersandintensepublicpressureafterastring ofin-custodydeaths StateregulatorshaverepeatedlycitedHarris Countyfornon-compliance.OnJune30,2025, theTexasCommissiononJailStandardsissued another notice tied to deficiencies identified in late-June inspections. The Sheriff’s Office alsoreleaseda17-minutevideoof32-year-old AlexisCardenas’fatalencounterwithjailersas herefusedtoleaveuponrelease.
When I die, I want to die on empty, not because I’m tired, but because I used every skill and talent I was blessed with for the greater good of just trying to leave the world a better place than I found it.”
SHERIFF ED GONZALES
Challengesahead
Gonzalez said several inmates, disproportionately African American (~ 50%), battle mental and physical health issues like addiction,hypertensionanddiabetes,which makes hefty investments in the policing systemcrucial
Gonzalezarguesthejail’smedicalandmental-healthburdensarestructural.Staffingand overcrowdinghavelongdrivencostlyinmate outsourcingtofar-flungfacilities,apracticehe “fundamentally”opposesandwantstoendas populationandcasebacklogsease.
“We don’t have a staffing issue,” Gonzalez explained “Wehaveajailpopulationissue.”
The“northstar”ofpolicing
Onthestreet,Gonzaleztoutsameasurable dipinviolentcrimein2024acrosshomicides, robberies,aggravatedassaultsandgunshotvictims,withsimilartrendscontinuinginto2025.
Thecounty’sHolisticAssistanceResponse Teams(HART),clinician-ledunitsthatdivert non-violent911callsawayfromdeputies,are expandingwithnewfundingandpersonnel, layinggroundworkfor24/7coverage
“We’reexpandingit[HART]thankstothe support of the Commissioners Court. But it takesleadershipbecauseifIwasn’tonboard, itwouldn’thappen,”Gonzalezsaid
Inside the jail, Gonzalez moved to make Harris County the first large Texas facility to require body-worn cameras on detention staff, a transparency step that began rolling out in late 2023 and ramped through 2024. The policy now shifts to compliance and accountability
TheSheriff’sportfolioisalsocollidingwith newpoliticsfromAustin SenateBill8,signed byGov.GregAbbottonJuly15andeffective Jan.1,2026,requiressheriffsinlargecounties toseek287(g)agreementswithICE,formalizing jail-based immigration cooperation GonzalezsaysHCSOwillfollowthelawwhile maintainingcommunitytrustandprioritizing criminalactivityoverimmigrationstatus
“We’re gonna follow the law,” he said “TherearemanylawsthatImaysupportand othersthatI’mnotassupportiveof,butatthe endoftheday,Ican’tpickandchoose Forme, ideally, we need some sensible immigration
reform, which is what I’ve always advocated for. At some point, hopefully, the political willisthereonthesideofbothpartiestoget somethingdoneinthefuture.”
Gonzalezdoesnotdenythedistanceleftto travel Buthereturns,often,tothenorthstar thatpropelledhimfrompatrolofficertoCity Halltosheriff:Treatpeoplefairly,leaveplaces betterthanyoufoundthemandrefusetolook
awayfromthehardestproblems.
“IreflectalotonmyfaithandIdon’talways talk a lot about it, but at the end of the day, there is a higher judgment as a God-fearing person,” he said of the legacy he wants. “It’s about,‘DidItreatpeoplefairly?Wasmyheart inagoodplacetosincerelytrytodogoodand careforothers?’Ifthathappens,thenIthink historywillbegoodtome.”
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez’s initiatives include trauma-informed programming and partnerships aimed at rehabilitation inside the jail.
Credit: Clyde Jiles/Houston Defender
Education DN
Back-to-school
Mentors needed
ByAswad Walker
Back-to-school season is full of excitement—new teachers, fresh supplies and ambitious goals. But for many students, success depends on more than classrooms and textbooks. It often hinges on having someone in their corner
“Back-to-school is a fun time of year Familiesaresendingtheirkidsofftoschool, andtheyhavegreatexpectations,”saysBrian Ervin, vice president of programs for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Lone Star “It’s statistically proven that students who have mentorship are more connected to learning,theyhavebetterattendanceandoverall, their grades are improved.”
ForBlackboysinparticular,thepresence ofaconsistent,positivemalefigureoutside the family can be life-changing. And in Houston, the need is urgent
AcriticalneedinHouston
InGreaterHouston,morethan750youth are waiting to be matched with a mentor over three-fourths of them boys of color.
“One of our biggest needs is men of color,”Ervinexplains.
“Tohelpget750youth off the waiting list, all we need you to do is step up and say, ‘I’m interested,’ and then myteamwilltakeyou through the rest.”
The process is simple: fill out an application, complete an interview and get paired with a young person based on shared interests.
“Surprisingly, it’s a very organic process, ” Ervin says. “We wantmatchesthatare sustainable.”
Thisyearmarksthe 75thanniversaryofBigBrothersBigSisters of Greater Houston, a milestone the organization hopes inspires more community members to step up
Benefitsforyouth(“Littles”)
For mentees, called “littles,” the benefits are profound—better grades, stronger social skills, and a broader vision of life possibilities.
“At the end of the day, we can’t achieve whatwecan’tconceive,”sayslongtimementor Anthony Curtis “For me, it’s all about exposure, giving them opportunities to experience different things.”
From encouraging academic goals to introducingnewhobbies,mentorscanredirectachild’strajectory Ervinemphasizes,“It
really doesn’t matter your race, color, creed orgender.It’sreallyabouttheresourcesand opportunities you are given that can make or break your trajectory in life.”
Benefitsformentors(“Bigs”)
Whilelittlesbenefit,mentors—knownas “bigs”—oftensaytheygetjustasmuchfrom the experience
“The bigs say they get more out of it than the littles sometimes because it’s such a rewarding process, ” Ervin shares. “I hear that continuously.”
Curtis,whohasmentoredthroughBBBS since 2003, agrees. “I recognized what I could have benefited from when I was a young person that I really didn’t have,” he says. “Mentoring gives me the chance to be that person for someone else.”
Overcomingmisconceptions
Manypotentialmentorshesitatebecause theythinkthey’renot“coolenough”orlack the time
“A lot of times, people are intimidated because they say, ‘I don’t even know what I would say to the kid. I don’t know what I would do,’” says Ervin. “It really just takes you saying, ‘I want to step up and be a mentor.’”
Curtis adds, “It’s not something that’s veryexpensive Alotoftimes,peoplethink it’s going to cost them a lot of money. Just let them tag along when you’re doing what youdothroughthecourseofyourday.And there are a lot of free things that you can do as well.”
Calltoaction
Ervinbelievestheimpactextendsbeyond individual children. “The more people we have in this mission who are going to pour back into the youth, the more we’re paying it forward, and it’s going to be best for our future.”
Tolearnmoreorsignuptomentor,visit www.bbbstx.org
Ideas for mentor/ mentee activities.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED METRO FISCAL YEAR 2026 OPERATING & CAPITAL BUDGETS
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) is holding a public hearing to receive public comments on its proposed Operating and Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2026 (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026). The public hearing will be held at 12:00pm on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, in the METRO Board Room on the Second Floor at 1900 Main Street in Houston, Texas 77002.
The public is invited to attend the hearing and provide comments in person. You may also join the hearing on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86046952015 or by dialing 346-248-7799 or 888-475-4499 (toll-free), Meeting ID: 860 4695 2015
Participation on Zoom is only necessary if you want to provide comments virtually during the public hearing. Otherwise, you may view a livestream of the hearing online at RideMETRO.org/Livestream A video recording of the hearing will also be archived on the same page.
A copy of the proposed METRO Fiscal Year 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets is currently available for review by the public on the METRO website at RideMETRO.org/PublicHearing and in the lobby of the METRO RideStore in the Lee P. Brown METRO Administration Building, located at 1900 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002.
PROCESS FOR PROVIDING PUBLIC COMMENTS
It is recommended that anyone wanting to make public comments at the hearing register as a public speaker with the METRO Board Office at least 48 hours in advance of the date of the hearing by calling 713-739-4834 or sending an email to BoardOfflce@RideMETRO.org, and providing their name, address and telephone number. If you pre-register, your comments will be heard first at the public hearing. Your name will be called at the appropriate time for you to make your comments.
Alternatively, if present in the Board Room you may provide public comments after the pre-registered speakers by raising your hand when called upon, by selecting the “Raise Hand” feature on the Zoom platform online or by pressing *9 if joining by telephone. Those calling in will automatically be placed on mute. After an unregistered speaker’s name or number is recognized, their microphone will be unmuted, and they will be able to provide their comments.
The public may also provide comments by email to: Budget.Book@RideMETRO.org or by calling METRO Customer Service at 713-635-4000 in advance of the public hearing.
LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE, ACCESSIBILITY, AND SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
Upon request, METRO provides free language assistance at METRO public hearings to help patrons who have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English in accordance with its language assistance plan. METRO public hearings are also accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for language assistance and other accommodations should be directed to the Board Office at 713-739-4834 at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.
RideMETRO.org
Call or text 713-635-4000
Curtis
Ervin
DN People
HurricaneKatrina
20years later:
20 years
The Houston connection
ByAswadWalker
Ithas been just over 20 years sinceHurricaneKatrinadevastatedNewOrleans,exposingthe nation’s deepestracialand economicdivides.While Katrina wasanAmericantragedy,itsmostacute impact wasfeltinNew Orleans. Yet, fromHouston’s perspective, thestory of Katrina—thenand now—is ataleof twocities.
Houstonbecamethe landingground fortensofthousands of displacedNew Orleanians,reshaping thecity’sdemographics, cultureand future.AsfilmmakerRyanCoogler highlights in his newdocumentary HurricaneKatrina: Race AgainstTime (2025), Katrinawas morethanastorm—itwasacollisionof policyfailures,resilienceandmigration
Long before Coogler, SpikeLee chronicled this realityinhis 2006 masterpiece When theLeveesBroke:ARequiem in Four Acts
Today, twodecadeslater,survivors, Houstoniansand thosewho builtnew livesacrossTexas reflect on that definingmoment.
NewOrleaniansremember Formanysurvivors,thememoriesof August 2005 remain seared into their spirits.
TrenaDouse recallsthatshe didn’t wanttoevacuateatall.
“Whenwegot thewarningsabout HurricaneKatrina,Ididn’tthink it was necessarytoleave.Iwas willingtostay becauseall theyears that we experienced hurricanes,itwasn’tthatbad,” said Douse. Herbrother convincedher otherwise.Thefamilypackedessentials, includingvital recordstheykeptready aftersurvivingahousefireyearsearlier, andfled NewOrleans before therain began.
Buttheir journeywasn’tstraightforward. After stoppinginBaton Rouge, theypressed on to Port Arthur.There, they briefly stayed in ashelter—untilit toowas evacuatedahead of Hurricane Rita
“WestayedinMarshallfor about 60 days,” Douseremembered.
“ThenwemigratedtoHouston. Theentirefamilymigrated— over50ofus.”
Forherson,Isaiah,thememoriesareeven more haunting.Just10years oldatthe time he waswithhis father,grandfather,brother anduncles.Theyweretrappedinthe Superdomebeforebeing bused toDallas
“The windswerewhipping througheverything, tearingstuff apart.Iwasscared,”Isaiahsaid.Eventually,risingfloodwatersforcedthem totheroofoftheirSeventhWardbuildingbeforerescuearrived.
Forothers,thestormmeantimmediate upheaval HiramSmith,asuccessfulNew Orleans eventpromoter,carriedtheburdenofprotectinghismotherandsisters “Itwasthemostdevastatingexperienceofmy life,”hesaid. “Being theonlymaleinthe family at thetime, I didn’t know whereto go or what to do.MovingtoHoustonwasawalk offaith.”
Smithdrained hissavings to sustainhis fam- ilyandkeephopealive.
“I didn’t care aboutmoney.I caredabout survival,” he recalled.Thatsurvival instinct eventually birthedhisHouston-based business,HiramStyle,apremier eventdesignand managementfirm.
wasunderwater, Icalled my sister andsaid, ‘OhmyGod,it’sall gone ”Grahamrecalled. Within days,she wastaskedwithhelping co-leadHouston’srecoveryoperations Shehelpedtransform theGeorgeR BrownConventionCenterintoa temporarycityforthedisplaced.
“Weset up aclinic, sections for men, women, children,and aspace forthe LGBTQcommunity,” Grahamsaid.“Wehadalibrary,haircutstations, food andclothing. It wasall done in less than 24 hours.”
Graham’schildren(daughter,8,andson,5) accompaniedhertoworkdaily.Oneday,Graham’sdaughterofferedasoberingreminder.
“Sheaskedme,‘Mommy,whydon’t[the children survivorsofKatrina]know wheretheirparentsare?’”Grahamsaid, hervoiceheavywiththememory Communitymembers also rose to meet themoment. SisterMama Sonya, anactivistandhealthcareadvocate,organizeda networkofBlack womentocollect anddistributetoiletries, diapersand food Shelater worked as aCityofHouston case manager, listeningtostories of survival and trauma.One stillhauntsher—thatofher co-workerKeith,who,asa largeman,had beenforcedtomovebodiesinNewOrleans “Hesaidhehas to live with that,” Sonya saidquietly.
ForeducatorslikeKathyGunter,thecrisis reshapedtheirroles
“Thisjourneyhasbroughtoutthecharacteroftriumph,resilience,confidenceandnot beingfearful,”shesaid Herson,Isaiah, now livesinHouston but admitsthetraumaof Katrinashapeshis choices.
“A lotofpeople askmewhy Idon’t moveback.Itellthem Idon’t want to face the fearofstartingoverandgoing throughthatagain,”sharedIsaiah
2005 2025
Meanwhile, educatorand NewOrleansnativeChristine Molinehadjustclosedon herfirsthome—afteragruelingseven-month process—days beforethestorm
“Wealwaystreated hurricanes like an evacuationvacation,”statedMoline.“Butthis timeitwasdifferent.”
Moline evacuated, spendingone nightin HoustonbeforeheadingtoAustin,whereshe haslivedeversince
Houstoniansrespond
ForHoustonians,Katrina wasanunexpected test of compassion,infrastructure andresolve
RachelGraham,thenworkingintheoffice of MayorBillWhite,remembers thecity’s rapidmobilization
“Whentheleveewasbreachedandthecity
“I remember seeing thevideos, hearing Kanyesay,‘The presidentdoesn’t like Black people,’ andthinking—why aretheycalling themrefugees?”saidGunter
Later, Gunter helped Katrinasurvivors includingTrena Douseand herchildren, adjusttoHoustonschoolsandlife.
Andfor Houstonfaith communities, the momentwastransformative.
JoyceJohnson of theShrineofthe Black Madonnarememberedhousing andcaring formorethan150evacuees
“Thatexperiencewas profoundly life-changing,”she said.“Ihad neverbeen involved in anything of that magnitudein realtime.”
NewlivesinHoustonandbeyond Twodecades later, Katrina’ssurvivors live with both thescars andthe resilience that stormdemanded.
TrenaDouse eventually settledinDallas thoughshestillfeelsconnectedtoHouston.
In Austin, Moline hasflourishedintech, cyber-security andrealestate, though her heartistiedtobothcities.“Austinisperfect,” she said.“It’s closeenoughtovisit friends in HoustonandfamilyinDallas.”
ForSmith,Houston became both refuge andlaunchpad.Hebuilt HiramStyle into a premierevent firm, credited with designing all manner of events,corporate andotherwise.TheFountainofPraisechurchand its pastor,Dr. RemusWright, gave himhis first majoropportunity to showcase hisskillsin Houston,whichgrewintoathrivingbusiness Buthealsogaveback,creatingtheFashion LabinitiativeinNewOrleanstoinspireyouth throughdesign
“Ididn’twanttojustleavethecity,”Smith said.“Iwantedtobeapartofthe rebirth, especiallyforouryouth.”
ForsomeHoustonians,welcoming New Orleanianshasturnedintoapermanentshift inthecity’sidentity.
“Myfamilymembers whocame here neverwentback,”saidJohnson “Alotofpeopleneverwentback.”
NewOrleans nativeTrena Dousehad
flee HurricanesKatrina and Rita. Courtesy Trena Douse.
A7-year-oldIsaiahDouse is allsmileshere, afew yearsbeforeHurricane Katrine forced hisfamily to flee to theLone Star State.
Teaching through Katrina &RitainHouston
By AlieshiaBaisy
In August 2005, my first year teaching in HoustonISD at BastianElementary in SouthPark, Iwas stilllearninghow to be ateacher.Withinweeks,two hurricanes—Katrina andRita—would notonlyreshape thecityIcalled home,but theteacher Iwas becoming Before Katrinamadelandfall, my teaching partnerMrs.Davis,aNew Orleans native,was anxiouslycheckingher phonefor updatesonher family.I hadnoreal understandingofhurricanesbeyondcampusclosures from my UH undergrad days.ThatchangedonSept.1,2005,afteraUniversityofHouston–Nebraskagame. Leavingthegame,busafterbusrolledintowhatisnowNRGStadium.Children intatteredclothes,adultscarryingplasticbagsofbelongings—thescalewasoverwhelming.MyfriendandIjoinedvolunteerspassingoutwaterandhelpingdirect families.Westayedfor hours. By morning, some of thosesamechildrenwerein my classroom, carrying everything they owned. There wasnotimetolearn how to be a“perfect” teacher; Isimplyhad to be what they needed Less than threeweeks later, HurricaneRitathreatenedHouston.Thecitywas unprepared,stillfocusedonhelpingevacuees.WhenHISDfinallycalledforevacuation,fearwasvisibleonstudents’faces.Forsome,itwasthesecondtimeinthree weekstheywereleaving home with no cleardestination
Thenextyear,IjoinedKIPPLiberationinThirdWard,ledbyaHoustonlegend, ToriCofield,whohadalsohelpedopenschoolsforNewOrleansstudents.Oursmall team revamped lessonstoreflectstudents’identities, ranextra tutoring andmade spacefor culturaltraditions. Families broughtkingcakefor MardiGras, bounce musicfor celebrations andaresilience that shaped theschool’sspirit. Thatyeartaughtmethatnoamountoftrainingasa21-year-oldcouldprepareme forthiswork.Ihadtorisetotheoccasionbecausethefamiliestrusteduscompletely Almost 20 yearslater,Istill thinkofthose students, includingTyrell, oneofthe giantsfromourfoundingclasswhorecentlypassedaway.Hishomegoingbecame areunion —amomenttohonor thebonds we builtinthose extraordinaryyears Watching thenew HBOseriesonKatrina brings it allback—the chaos, the compassion,the urgencytoact.Wedidn’tstoptoask forthe wholestory;wejust showed up.And in Houston, we kept showing up,until thosefamiliesfeltsafe enough to startagain.
Courtesy Isaiah Douse.
Longtime educator Alieshia Baisy recallsthe calling she had as anew teacher in HoustonISD to be there forher studentswho had escaped hurricanesKatrina and Rita Courtesy:Aliesha Biasy
Twenty yearslater,educator Alieshia Baisy looksback 20 years on supportingHoustonstudents impactedbythe hurricanes. Courtesy:AlieshiaBaisy.
to evacuateto
At the 20-year mark, Houstonians and NewOrleanians whofled Hurricane Katrina reflectonthat experience. Credit:MENAHEM KAHANA/AFPvia GettyImages.
Evacuated from NewOrleans just ahead of Hurricane Katrina, Christine has lived and worked in Austin for 20years Courtesy Christine Moline.
Christine Moline, seen here in 2005, had closedonher first home in NewOrleans justdaysbeforeHurricane Katrine hit. Courtesy Christine Moline.
In 2021, creativesolopreneurs LaGina R. Harris &MelissaMatos co-produced the1st ever hybrid conferencededicated to destigmatizing &lifying melanin mental health.
(L-R)LPC AssociateDenis Matos, Melanin Minds co-foundersLaGina R. Harris and MelissaMatos,and Melanin Minds BoardMember Dr.Jei Pearceyplan their annual mental health conference in Houston. Credit:JimmieAggison
MelaninMinds
Reclaims mentalhealthfor communitiesofcolor
By LauraOnyeneho
They didn’t meet facetofaceuntil 18 hoursbeforelaunchingtheir firstmental health conference in 2021, butthatdidn’t stop LaGina R. Harrisand MelissaMatos from buildingone of Houston’smost impactfulwellnessmovements
Thetwo solopreneursmet on Instagram duringthepandemic,connectedoverburnoutandentrepreneurshipanddecidedona plan to create somethingtheybothneeded butcouldn’tfind: Amentalhealthspace made by andfor communities of color.
ThatideabecameMelaninMinds,anonprofit organization rooted in culturalrelevance,intergenerationalhealingandmental health advocacy forBlack andHispanic communities.Whatstartedasahybridmentalhealthevent is nowamulti-day,multicityexperiencesupported by theHouston TexansYMCA,BigBrothersBigSistersand agrowing networkofhealthpractitioners, community leadersand families.
Houstonwas always theendgame for Harris. As amilitarykid with deep family rootsinFifth andThirdWard, she moved back to thecitytobuild somethinglasting
“Houston hadtobethe place,” shesays. “It’sthe most diverse, dynamic city andwe needed that energy forthiskindof work.”
Matos, basedinLos Angeles, firstfellin lovewithentrepreneurshipbeforediscoveringthatthe real need wasdeeper, healing.
“WhenI’m stressed,I stop eating,” she said.“WhenLaGina’sstressed,sheovereats That’swhereourconversationstarted,how ourmentalhealthshowsupinoureveryday lives.”
Healingthat looks like us
MelaninMindsnowrunsyear-roundprogramminggroundedinfivecorepillars:Holistichealing,nutrition,relationships,mindset shifting andalignment. Each is designed to tacklethebarrierscommunitiesofcolorface whenseekingsupport,whetherthoseareculturalstigmas,financiallimitations,oralackof representationintraditionaltherapyspaces.
Dr.Jei Pearcey, apsychophysiologistand militaryveteran,joinedMelaninMindsafter spendingyears searchingfor answersinhis mentalhealthjourney.
“AfterservinginOperationEnduringFreedom,IsawashiftinmyselfIcouldn’tignore,” hesays.“Tryingtofigureoutwhatwasgoing oninmyownheadledmetothiswork.”
Thatledhimtostudypsychologyandspecializeinmind-bodymedicine.
“Mentalhealthisn’t just aboutyour thoughts,”heexplains. “It’sabout your environment,yournutrition,yourfaith,yourjoy. Oneofthe firstquestionsIask my clients is, ‘Whatdo youdofor fun?’Mostdon’t have ananswer.”
PearceynowhelpsMelaninMindsintegrate whole-personhealingintoitsconferenceand year-roundprogramming.Frommindfuleatingsessionstohisupcoming“mentalfitness” workshop with retiredNFL player Sammy Knight,hechallengesattendees to thinkof theirbrainsthesamewaytheydotheirbodies,capableoftraining,strengtheningandrest
HCTRAisdoing morefor mobility in ourregion -fromtollroads to a newShipChannelBridge
Credit:Jimmie Aggison
Videoofa glimpseof MelaninMinds events.
Profile DN LaShawandaMoore
Workstohelpwomen elevate
By ReShondaTate
When LaShawanda Moorewalks into a room,herpresenceisundeniable
AFortune 500 global leader turned executivecoach,transformationalspeaker and founder,Moorehasmadeitherlife’sworkto empowerwomen to stop playingsmall and live outloud. With more than 350,000 Black womenleavingtheworkforcethisyearalone, it’s aservice that many believeisdesperately needed
Findingpurposeinthepit
Moore’spassionfor helping womenstep into their powerwas forged in herown momentsofstruggle. Raised in Louisianaby asinglemother,shewitnessedfirsthandwhat resilience looked like in theface of hardship Later,inherprofessionaljourney,Moorehita wallofherown—losingsightofwhoshewas andsinkingintodepression.
“Itwasalmosthopelessforme,”sherecalls. “I lostmyselfcompletely—my strengths, my gifts, what Iwas here for. It wasmyhusband whointroducedmetoSimon Sinek’s Start WithWhy,andthatchangedeverything.Discoveringmywhyiswhatallowsmetodothe work Idonow.It’show Ipress throughfears andinsecurities.”
Thatjourneyfuelsherdesiretohelpother womenfindtheircompass.
“Beingclear on your whybecomes your northstar,”Moore explains.“It’s thelens youuse to getcenteredagain.Every human beingshouldknowtheirwhy,especiallyBlack women.It’swhatweleanontomakedecisions andadvanceourgiftsintotheworld.”
PatTucker, alifelongfriend-turned client, saysMooreexcelsathelpingwomentapinto theirgifts.
When womenrise,entire communitiesrisewiththem.
LASHAWANDA MOORE
“I’vehadtheblessingofhavingbenef fromLaShawanda’sexecutivecoaching. guided me throughone of themostch lengingtimesinmycareer.Shedoesn’t talkaboutempowerment,sheembodie Helpingwomensucceedisn’tjustherw it’s herlife’smission, andI’m gratefu haveexperiencedhersupportandwisd firsthand.”
Building platforms of empowerment
Mooreadvances hermission thro twopowerfulplatforms:Elevate Succ hercoachingand consulting business, SheLives OutLoud,her nonprofit.
SheLives OutLoud is dedicated to h ingdisplacedwomen—thosewhohave jobs, facedpersonalcrisesorexperien unexpectedlifechanges—getbackont feet.Theorganizationprovidescareerwo shops,mentorshipprograms,entreprene ialtrainingand connectionstoresour many womenotherwise couldnot affo
fited She aljust esit work, ul to dom ugh cess, and helplost nced heir orkeurrces rd etalthey
“Thesewomenoftenhaveincredible entand potential,”Moore says.“Butt need asupportiveenvironment andpracticalassistancetoreignitetheirlives.That’s what we provide—support andempowerment to rebuild.”
Livingoutloud
Thenonprofit worksintandemwith ElevateSuccess, whichfocuses on lifeand businesscoaching,accountabilityandprofessionaldevelopment.Together,theycreate acomprehensivenetworkforwomenready to step into their next chapter.
Theneedfor programs like Moore’sis growing. Studies show that Blackwomen arenotonlyleavingtheworkforceathigher rates, buttheyalsofacedisproportionate challengesinaccessingresourcestore-enter oradvance.Manyjugglecaregivingresponsibilities, financialinstability andsystemic barriersthatstall career growth
That’s whyMoore believes herworkis urgent.“Wecan’taffordtoletbrilliant,capablewomen sitonthe sidelines becauseof lack of accessorsupport,” shesays. “When womenrise, entire communities rise with them.”
ForMoore,“living outloud” is more than acatchyphrase—it’sa movement.It meansrefusingtoshrinkintothe background,evenwhenlifehas thrown its hardestblows.Itmeans confrontingfear, stepping into faithand embracingthe boldnessrequired to lead in business, in community andinlife.
“Too oftenwomen, especiallyBlack women, areconditioned to play small—tostayquiet, to notrufflefeathers, to puteveryone else’s needsbefore ourown,”shesaid.“Livingoutloudisabout breaking that cycle. It’s aboutshowing up fullyandunapologetically,usingyourgifts andwalking boldly in your purpose. ” Moorehas seen firsthandthe ripple effectwhenwomenembracethismindset.
Herclients have gone on to launch businesses,securepromotionsandevenreturn to school afteryears away.Nonprofit participantshavefound renewedconfidence aftercareersetbacks.
“The transformation is incredible,” Mooresaid. “Onceawoman realizes she’s notdefinedbyhermistakesorhercircumstances,she starts to dreambigger. And thosedreamsdon’t just impact her—they change herfamily, herworkplace,and hercommunity.” When askedwhy she believes shewas putonthisearth, Mooredoesn’t hesitate.
“I wasput here to go throughthe hard things,tolearnandthentoteach,”shesaid “I’vealwayscomeoutofhardshipsstronger, better.And Iknownow that my role is to usethose experiences to help others.”
Through her Elevate Success platform, LaShawandaMooreequips women with the tools to thrivein business, career,and life. Courtesy: LaShawanda Moore
Sports DN
TEXANS COACH
DeMeco Ryans
Feels the buzz entering Year 3
ByTerranceHarris
As far as Texans coach DeMeco Ryans is concerned,everyseasonisdifferent Butasdifferentaseachyearis,themission and purpose are unchanged: Give Houston ateamitcanbeproudof
As Ryans enters season three at the helm of the franchise he once played for, Ryans’ rise has been nothing short of remarkable The excitement he feels now is matched only by the energy he has helped restore to Houston.
“It’sawesometothinkaboutwhenwefirst got here to feel the excitement, to feel the buzzaroundthecity,toseeeveryoneexcited aboutHoustonTexansfootball,”saidRyans, who has already delivered back-to-back AFCSouthtitlesanda2-2playoffrecordin his first two years. “One of my main goals in coming back here as head coach was to bring great energy back to the city and get ourfansexcitedaboutwhatwe’rebuilding “It’snotonlyabouttheteamandtheorganization—it’s about the entire city We want Houstontobeproudofus,proudofwhatwe doonthefield.”
It’s been a miraculous emergence for RyansashegetssetforYear3atthehelmof the franchise he once played for and in the cityheembracesashome TosaythatRyans isexcitedorenthusiasticfortheseasonseems anunderstatement.
“It’sawesometothinkaboutwhenwefirst got here to feel the excitement, to feel the buzzaroundthecity,toseeeveryoneexcited aboutHoustonTexansfootball,”saidRyans, whohasledtheTexanstoback-to-backAFC South titles and a 2-2 record in the playoffs in his first two seasons on the job. “One of mymaingoalsIsettoaccomplishincoming backheretobetheheadcoachwastobring greatenergybacktothecity,andgetourfans and everyone around the city excited about whatwearedoing.
“It’s not only the team and the organization,it’stheentirecity Wearedoingthisfor thecityandwewantourcitytobeproudof us,proudofwhatwedooutonthefield.”
As with the beginning of most NFL seasons, the Texans’ expectations are high as they prepare for the Sept 7 season opener attheLosAngelesRams
Will the Texans win a third-straight AFC South Division title?
Will they finally break through the AFC divisional round of the playoffs?
Are the pieces in place for third-year
quarterback C.J. Stroud to become one of the elite NFL quarterbacks?
Could this be the year the Texans put it all together for a Super Bowl run?
Somanyquestions.Somanyexpectations
It’s Ryan’s job to manage it all. But he has learned the art of delegating, which will be essentialinsuchacriticalyear
“For me, I feel like I’ve grown in a mannerof,I’vetalkedaboutthisalot,delegating more, taking more off my plate,” Ryans said to the Defender. “I feel like we’re in a really good spot as a team of just trusting more of my staff and people around me I’ve got a reallygreatstaff.Whenitcomestothatpart of it, just being able to delegate more I feel likeI’veevolvedinthatarea.”
ButRyans,41,hascontinuedtobewhohe is at his core: a coach who exudes positivity
andupliftmenttowardhisplayers.Hisplayers and everyone around him seem to feed offthatenergy
“I think every day is intentional. Every dayisurgent,”StroudsaidofRyans’coaching style.“Ithinkeverydayhe’sdoneagoodjob oftryingtopushguystothatlimittowhere it’sgoingtobehardinthosegames.Personally, I don’t see a difference just because he’s beenthatway.But,Ithinkthat’sagoodthing. I’ll definitely say the other guys are starting tobuyintohimmore.”
Ryans,oneoffiveBlackNFLheadcoaches, cametotheTexansin2023withenthusiasm thatpermeatedacutting-edgecoachingstyle andphilosophythatgavetheplayersastake intheprocess.Overthepasttwoseasons,he andgeneralmanagerNickCaseriohavealso formedagenuinelycloseconnection,which
hasallowedthemtobeinsynchinwaysthat youdon’toftenseeintheNFL.
Their time together will likely forever be defined by their decision on draft night in 2023 to take Stroud No.2 overall and then trade back into the first round of the draft totakedefensiveendWillAndersonJr No.3 overall. Who does that? The brain trust of RyansandCaserio.
They’veseemedtobeonthesamepageon everyacquisitionandmovesince.
“We arm wrestle,” Ryans joked. “No, we just get in the room and we talk it out. We talkitout.”
Readmoreof this story.
DeMeco Ryans has put his stamp on the Texans for the first two seasons; now he is ready to take the franchise to the next level in Year 3. Credit: Getty Images
Sports
CorbinPhillips Studies minds whiledominating lines
ByJimmieAggison
As adefensive lineman,CorbinPhillips’ jobistodominateoffensivelines,butbeneath thepadsliesasharpmindwithadeeppassion forunderstandingpeople.
TheCypress LakesHighSchoolsenior standout,who recently committedtoHoustonChristian University (HCU), isn’tjust chasingsacks andtackles.He’salsopursuingadegreeinpsychology.
pr
coaches,”saidPhillips. “The love Ireceived from (HCU)defensive linecoach Mark McMillanandtherestoftheHCUstaffmade mefeelliketheywereatruefamily.”
AlthoughHCUisaprivateChristianuniversity,locationandplayerdevelopmentwere keyfactorsinPhillips’decision.
“Myparents beingabletoattendall the home gameswas importantaswellas my developmentand beingpre-
playsinhisfuture
“I know withoutacademics, Ican’t play sports,”saidPhillips. “I know that astrong GPA(gradepointaverage)willbemygateway tolivingmydreamofplayingD1football.”
Educationhas always been acornerstone in thePhillipshousehold.His maternal grandparents arealumni of TexasSouthern University.His grandfather,JimmyGraves, wasapharmacist andhis grandmother, Jo nelementaryschoolteacher arents arealumniofIndindmymomisahighschool said Phillips. “Growing up, ry importantinour house. bornintoit.” stinpsychologybeganafter ectiveduringhisjunioryear. nterestedinhow thebrain longwithpeople’smotivesfor gsortheirthoughtprocess,” illips.“Studying psychology pmebecomeabetterleader efield.Knowing howpeohinkcanhelpmeeffectively couragemyteammatestobe onthesamepageinorderto dominateonthefield.”
textoroffertohelpifsomeoneisstruggling,” Cartersaid.“Healsomakesanefforttobuild genuinefriendshipsoutsideofsports,inviting teammatestohangout,celebratingtheirsuccessesandlisteningwhentheyneedtotalk.”
ThisinsighthelpsPhillips manage themental aspectsofthe game, includingpressure, focusand overcoming setbacks
“Somethingsinfootballareoutofyourcontrol,butwhatIcancontrol is howIreact to that situation,” said Phillips.“If Ilosearep,I don’tshut down andfeelbad for myself.Ilinebackup andtellmyself. Nowyou mustwinthenextone.”
CypressLakesheadfootcoachTyroneCarteragrees psexhibitsstrongleadership telligencequalitiesthatalign npsychology. ices when someoneinthe gleftout or stressed andhe checkinwiththem,”said swithoutinterrupting,asks tionsand helpspeoplefeel xtendsbeyondthefield nthemaftertoughgamesor pr squicktosendamotivating
Maintaininga 3.73 GPAwhile earning First-TeamAll-District honors requires disciplineand time management skills that Phillipshonedwithsupportfromhisparents. He structures hisdayssimilarlytoacollege athlete.
“Duringmyfirstblockoftime,Iwakeupat 5:15a.m.,”saidPhillips.“Thatgivesmetime tostretch,shower,eatbreakfastandleavefor school by 6:40 a.m. My next blockisschool. Afterschooland practice,myeveningblock consists of ashower, arecap of my daywith my parentsand dinner.Mylastblock of the dayishomeworkorreviewingforanyupcomingtests.Myparentssaybreakingthedayinto blocksmakesforamoreproductiveday.”
Phillips believes sticking to this routine is thekey to success, both academically and athletically.While hisdream is to play in theNFL, he’s also thinking aboutlifeafter football
“MydreamwouldbeplayingintheNFL,” said Phillips.“Butifnot,I wouldeventually comebacktothegameoffootballasacoach or sports psychologistand pass my knowledge of thegametoyoung playersinhopes of helping them reachtheir goalsonand off thefield.”
Toyoungerathletesstrivingforexcellence inbothsportsandacademics,Phillipsshares simplebutpowerfuladvice:
“Never getcomfortable with what you have,”saidPhillips.“Alwaysstrivetobebetter tomorrowthanwhatyouweretoday.”
ABOUTCORBINPHILLIPS
Class: 2026
IG: @99._problemz
Twitter: @ CorbinPhil19
Position: Defensive lineman
Height&weight: 6-feet-1,275 pounds
Favoriteartist: RodWave
Status: Committed to Houston Christian University
Favoritesubjects: Psychology,science
Shout-outs: CoachCarter, Coach Tryon, CoachMunne and CoachKolber ds
