Houston Style Magazine Vol 33 No 53

This was the year we slowly tried to crawl our way out of the pandemic and return to life as we once knew it. We began to end our “Guess Who Is Behind the Mask” and cautiously embraced one another fulfilling the need of human touch. We ventured from our homes to go to this place and that place and watched our social calendar fill up. We still clutched our chest with every mass shooting, held up our fists for every injustice, and prayed for the world to start to make sense. Each calendar our roving lens captured the images that made us smile, think, and reflect. Enjoy our 2022 review in photos.

January

Strike up the band! Bring on the queens, drill teams, floats, and more for the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. parade. Downtown streets were packed as Houstonians again had two parades to celebrate King. From celebrating King to presenting debutantes, 22 young ladies made their official debut to high society courtesy of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Houston ISD Board of Trustees welcomed new leadership as the 2022 board was installed by State Rep. Alma Allen. The William P. Hobby Airport received a distinguish that few airports have. The airport is one of 16 airports in the world with a 5-star rating.

February

The city of Houston took major strides to end homelessness by joining House America, a federal initiative to address the problem. The $100 million program will house more than 7,000 people by 2024 to address the national crisis of homelessness. Colorful dragons, bright reds, and lots of fun-filled downtown to celebrate the Lunar New Year – the Year of the Tiger. Houston Texans Jonathan Owens got down on one knee to proposed to gymnastics legend Simone Biles and she said YES. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Black Heritage Committee kicked off the rodeo season with their annual gala that was attended by the who's who of black Houston. Houston rap artist Lil KeKe also had something

2022: YEAR IN REVIEW

By By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

to celebrate – the release of his album LGND.

March

March kept Houston Mayor Sylvester very busy as he led the way on his complete community initiative with the Houston Inspires Public Health Storytelling to increase the education of others. The mayor spent the month crisscrossing the city, attending the East End Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, reading to children through Reads Across America. And attending the Top Chef Houston Watch Party. Rep. Shawn Thierry unveiled the Barbara Jordan Memorial Parkway. After 30 years of public service, Rep. Garnet Coleman was honored by the Harris County Commissioner’s Court. All of Houston we got to witness the culmination of a beautiful love story when Houston’s First Daughter Ashley Turner married Jimmie Captain in a ceremony fit for a princess. Mayor Turner was one proud papa.

April

Women were the stars of the Greater Houston Women’s Hall of Fame gala. Fourteen were inducted into the 2022 class. A few Houstonians got the opportunity to live with an artist’s work with the LaMonte’ French Collectors Dinner. The Herma Park Conservatory got a few dollars at their annual fundraiser Hats in the Park to keep the beautiful space maintained. Together for Good Ministries Women’s Guild recognized five ladies with the Audrey H. Lawson IMPACT award. A big highlight of April was the arrival of the Obama portraits at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Inc. Many stood in line to get a glimpse at the works of art and snap a selfie or two. Black Restaurant Week came just in time as more and more restaurants saw people return to dine-in. Many restaurants reopened their doors to welcome customers. Fuddruckers was among those reopening. Nicholas Perkins purchased 90 locations from Luby’s. A lot of charitable giving was seen in April. The AlliantGroup gave

Suits for Success $3000 to help teen boys who were being mentored for life after high school. The 100 Black Men of Houston volunteered their time to work with high school athletes. Verizon cut a $300,000 check to go to Texas Southern University's Center for Social Justice and Economic Equity.

May

Texas Southern University let their stripes show at the inaugural President’s Tiger Ball. The sold-out event is the largest fundraiser for student scholarships and programs for the university. Houston Astros told everyone it was time to play ball at the home season opener. Houston Astros General Manager Dusty Baker was honored for winning 2,000. Meyerland Democrats celebrated their 20th anniversary. Other highlights of the month garnered Megan Thee Stallion her own day in Houston and Booker T. Washington High School accepted a $1 million donation.

June

Tassels were turned from left to right as the class of 2022 took their exit to their next chapter in life. So many celebrations occurred in June from Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church celebrated their 60th Anniversary to the 135 Anniversary of the St. Joseph Medical Center, Houston was ready to party. A new memorial to George Floyd was dedicated. The brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. change their red and white to a debonair black and white for their ECFOH Black & White Ball. Houstonians rally behind Britney Griner to get her free. Acres Homes favorite homeboy made his way to the 44 to be the grand marshal of the Juneteenth parade. Happy 94th Birthday to the legendary Rev. William A. Lawson.

July

The light dimmed a little in Houston with the passing of Vergis “Sunshine” Bourgeois, Jr. The University of Houston Black Alumni Association held their annual Heritage Brunch. Houston played host to the second major conference for the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®. In April the city was turned pink and green for the South Central Regional Conference and a few months later the city once again welcomed the ladies for their international

conference. The city definitely got an economic boost when the ladies were here. Houston’s business community honored the Houston Sports Authority.

August

Houston streets became a little safer with the removal of over 800 guns with the city Gun Buyback Program. Over $100,000 in gift cards was exchanged for the guns. UNCF kicked off their 37th Walk for Education. Bee Busy Wellness Center held their 7th Annual Hygiene for Hope back-to-school event. Congressman Al Green led community leaders in a day to remember slavery.

September

The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Foundation held their inaugural awards gala and fundraiser. The formal event recognized lawmen and women for their unwavering dedication to protecting and serving. The entire world paused to honor the passing of Queen Elizabeth who ruled over the United Kingdom for 70 years, the longest of any monarch.

October

Harris County Houston Sports Authority held their Hall of Fame induction, where Calvin Murphy, Bruce Matthews, and Elvin Hayes were inducted. The Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Luncheon & Business Expo welcomed more than 2,000 attendees, making it the largest business and expo luncheon in Houston.

November

The Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans celebrated more than five decades as the leading nonprofit organization in Texas working for Hispanic families. The Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council held their 12th Significance Luncheon to honor Houston ballerina Lauren Anderson.

H

Houston Frontiers Mayor's

H Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Houston Celebrations H

Houstonians celebrating the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend by attending the 2022 Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Black Heritage Festival at Houston City Hall City of Houston and the Black Heritage Society 44th Annual Original Dr Martin Luther King Jr Day Parade!

H The HLSR Black Heritage 29th Annual Gala H

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Black Heritage Committee raised 22 million dollars for scholarships to deserving high school students. Everyone looked great in their western wear and it is officially rodeo season!

H Simone Biles Says YES on Valentine's Day H

Gymnastics legend Simone Biles announced Tuesday that she’s engaged to Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens. Biles shared several sweet snaps of the proposal, showing Owens down on one knee in a gazebo and a giant diamond ring glittering on her finger. The pair reportedly began dating in 2020. “Woke up this morning with a fiancée,” Biles posted on her social media accounts."

H Greater Houston Women's Hall Of Fame Gala H

H Alise Art Group Presented: LaMonté French Collectors Dinner H

The GHWCC's Gala recognized outstanding women who contributed significantly to the advancement of women and improved the quality of life for future generations of Houstonians. The 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees included: Winell Herron, Ann Al-Bahish, Nelda Blair, Cindy Clifford, Lesia Crumpton-Young, Linda DuCharme, Linda Head, Patricia Mann Phillips, Sandra Porter, Michelle Riley-Brown, Leigh Smith, Debra Sukin, Welela Tereffe, and Vanessa Wyche.

The Alise Art Group presents Houston artist LaMonte French Collectors Dinner. "Collectors" are people who CHOOSE to live with an artist's work. The works that were viewed will never be viewed in public.

H Houston Style Magazine Salutes The High School,

"Too many of us think it is impossible," he said. "Too many think it unreal. But that is a dangerous, defeatist belief. It leads to the conclusion that war is inevitable — that mankind is doomed — that we are gripped by forces we cannot control." Our job is not to accept that, he urged. "Our problems are manmade — therefore, they can be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants," – John F. Kennedy, At American University In 1963

H Harris County-Houston Sports Authority Hall of Fame Foundation & Houston Sports Hall of Fame

The Harris County Houston Sports Authority announced its 2023 Hall of Fame Class, inducting former Rockets legend Calvin Murphy, Oilers offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, and former Houston Cougar and Rockets star Elvin Hayes. #WeAreHoustonSports

Houston Astros 2022 World Series Champions

They are the World Champions after beating the Philadelphia Phillies with 4-1 win. They ended the season with a 10-2 record. The guys are so deserving of the victory parade that covered downtown in orange and blue. Houston couldn't be more proud.

STOP CHILD ABUSE. END NEGLECT.

If you see any combination of the following signs in a child, please make a report!

• Displays of hunger, stealing, hiding, or hoarding food.

• Frequent injuries with a lack of parental communication or care.

• Poor hygiene, scrapes, bruises, and cuts left unattended.

• Clothing and belongings are dirty, worn, broken and clothes are inadequate for the weather.

• Frequent unexplained school absences.

If you suspect a child is being neglected or abused contact Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400 or txabusehotline.org