Houston Style Magazine Vol 34 No 12

Celebrating Women's History Month

Sponsored by: Judy Foston Stanford - Foston International Communications Inc.

Women History Month is an opportunity to celebrate Houston’s Women Accomplishments

Women in Houston such as Barbara Jordan, Olga Solis, Maria Rios, Jewel McGowen, Laura Murillo, Hattie Mae White, Christina Adair, Dr Polly Turner, Kathy Whitmire, Jacqueline Bostic, Irma Diaz Gonzalez, Faye Bryant, Martha Turner, Maxine Mesinger, Yolanda Navarro Black, Algenita Scott Davis, Vanessa Wyche, Donna Cole, Nelly Fraga, and Dr. Dorothy Caram, have all played essential roles in the movements for women’s rights.

Judy Foston Stanford

Judy Foston Stanford is the Founder and President of Foston International Communications, Inc. She has over 35 years of experience in marketing, public relations, advertising, special events, and TV and radio marketing and production; with a distinctive ability to understand trends and derive optimal business solutions that leverage competitive advantage.

Prior to establishing Foston International, Inc., Judy worked for Fortune 500 companies in sales and marketing, where she employed her exceptional skill sets, initiative, problem solving abilities and positive attitude to lead and achieve extraordinary results. During this period, she handled various organizational tasks, thriving in her ability to be versatile in function, yet creative in action.

In 1984, Judy established a full-service communications company, Foston International, Inc., focused on marketing, advertising, public relations, video production, and special events. She was the creator and executive producer for the Sammy Davis Jr. Awards (benefitting The Peoples' Workshop for Visual and Performing Arts); The Wash Allen television/radio shows which she syndicated nationally through ABC Radio Network and independently; and the Coca-Cola Variety Celebrity Revue, which the shows were broadcasted on ABC 13 television in Houston. The Wash Allen TV Show is currently the longest running TV Show in Houston.

Judy was also instrumental in organizing and promoting the Coca-Cola “Share The Dream” Essay Contest for high school students, which she handled for 15 years. Under the umbrella of Foston International, Inc., Over the years, Judy has successfully provided diverse services to various companies including Coca-Cola Enterprises, Coca-Cola USA, Colgate-Palmolive, Waverly Nolley Law Firm, Texas Women Empowerment Foundation (TWEF), HEB Pantry, Communication Workers of America (CWA), Garcia Hamilton & Associates, Houston Community College System, Harris County Democratic Party, Kroger, KPRC-TV (NBC Affiliate), Wendy Davis for Governor, Beto O’Rourke for Texas Senate and Governor, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, First Tuesday PAC, Lone Star Project, National School Board Association, Texas Southern University and many others.

She has worked directly with different celebrities including Beyonce, James Brown, Ben Vereen, Jose Feliciano, Anthony Pena, Bobby Womack, Janet Dubois, Greg Anderson (Electric Horseman), Freda Payne, Roger Moseley, Maurice Hines, Robert Guillaume, Olivia Brown, O. C. Smith, Dixie Brown, Victor Rivers, the Laws - Hubert, Ronnie, Eloise, and Debra amongst many others. Through creativity and determination, she has effectively carved a niche for her brand, earning a recognizable reputation for consistency, and bringing immediate results

Publisher Francis Page, Jr. fpagejr@stylemagazine.com

Associate Publisher

Lisa Valadez lisa@stylemagazine.com

Managing Editor

Jo-Carolyn Goode editorial@stylemagazine.com

Social Media Editor/Videographer

Reginald Dominique reggiedominique@me.com

Sports Editor

Brian Barefield brian_barefield@yahoo.com

Food Writer

Alex Jack alexandriajack1991@gmail.com

Arts Editor Kathleen Coleman kathleen@stylemagazine.com

NATIONAL WRITERS

Jesse Jackson jjackson@rainbowpush.org

Roland Martin www.rolandmartin.com

Judge Greg Mathis www.askjudgemathis.com

Erynn Haskins editorial@stylemagazine.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Vicky Pink vhpink@gmail.com

Mike Munoz artrepreneur91@gmail.com

ADVERTISING/SALES

AdVertising emAil advertising@stylemagazine.com

Reuel Williams reuel@stylemagazine.com

Layout Editor Cameron C. Lee thisiscam6@gmail.com

Erynn Haskins e.haskins90@gmail.com

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Houston Style Magazine & www.StyleMagazine.com

Phone: (713) 748-6300 • Fax: (713) 748-6320

Mail: P.O. Box 14035, Houston, TX 77221-4035

©2023 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 2019 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)

SVB BANK COLLAPSE NOT 'WOKE', JUST GREED

By Jesse Jackson, National Political Writer

Did Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) collapse because it was too “woke” in the favored taunt of the right? That’s the charge made by Republican presidential contenders Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, by the Republican House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, by the Wall Street Journal editorial page among others. The charge, however, is preposterous –revealing not for what it says about SVB’s failure but for what it says about the ugly politics now dominating the right.

SVB was “so concerned with DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) and all kinds of stuff,” charged DeSantis, that it “really diverted from them focusing on their core mission.” “SVB is what happens when you push a leftist/ woke ideology and have that take precedent over common sense business practices,” said Trump who is familiar enough with bankruptcy to know better. The Wall Street Journal suggested the SVB board was “distracted by diversity demands.”

Really? No one claims that Credit Suisse, the massive Swiss bank, was too “woke” when it had to be taken over this week – or Signature Bank when it went under or First Republic Bank when it was given a lifeline. SVB was the bank of Silicon Valley and the libertarian, free enterprise entrepreneurs of the tech industry. Its supposedly distracted board had exactly one person of color, a minority of women and a couple of veterans. Its senior leadership was over 60 percent white, led by its white, male president. SVB did tout a “clean energy sustainable finance department, but no loans had been made by the division when the bank went belly up.

So if anything, SVB was brought down not by a new “wokeness,” but by old banking maladies – greed and deregulation. The favored bank of Silicon Valley, SVB expanded rapidly as the tech startups multiplied over the past years. Under $250 billion in assets, it enjoyed far less federal scrutiny, particularly after the 2018 deregulation signed by Donald Trump (and lobbied for by the SVB president).

It was also a bank run waiting to happen. Over 90 percent of its deposits were uninsured, in accounts with more than the $250,000 FDIC guarantee limit. Seeking to invest its burgeoning deposits, it bought a lot of long-term Treasury bonds that offered higher interest rates than the bank paid out to depositors. As long as the tech industry boomed, SVB was raking it in.

Then the Federal Reserve started raising interest rates to bring down inflation. Tech start-ups began to draw down on their deposits in SVB as their growth slowed. The federal bonds that SVB invested in lost value as interest rates went up. The bank president, knowing

SVB was in trouble, cashed in a few million of his shares just before the bank was forced to sell $21 billion in bonds at a loss of $2 billion. Not surprisingly, uninsured depositors panicked and a classic run on the bank ensued, until the Biden administration stepped in to stop what quickly became a nationwide banking crisis – not because so many banks were “woke,” but because a lot of them were caught with the same problem of unrealized losses in longterm bonds – over $600 billion by federal estimates at the start of this year. Across the country, depositors are taking their money out of midsized banks and putting it into large banks that are thought to be safer since they are more tightly regulated.

So why this outcry against “wokeness” on the right? One reason, of course, is that Republican politicians like DeSantis and Trump who championed and signed on to financial deregulation don’t want to talk about the need for greater scrutiny over the banks. Another is the race to the bottom on the right. Donald Trump took over the Republican Party by rousing fears among his

base about immigrants, crime, civil rights, the LGBTQ community and more. Ron DeSantis has followed suit, focusing on “corporate wokeness,” from ESG (Environmental, social and governance) principles to diversity and equity concerns. He’s assaulted public schools for making students “uncomfortable,” teaching about gender or American history, signing laws to tell teachers what to teach or what books to ban.

Republicans hope to win support from angry and frustrated white working people by rousing their fears of the other – Blacks, gays, immigrants, LGBTQ members, and avoid admitting that their policies of tax cuts for the rich, deregulation, free trade and systematic rollback of worker protections – from the right to organize to affordable health care – have been ruinous.

The result is a poisonous politics of division that is far more damaging to this country than the crisis triggered by the SVB failure. At the end of the day, the Federal Reserve and banking regulators have sufficient resources to bolster the shaky banks, head off a national banking panic, and keep depositors whole. What remains in question is whether there is enough decency and patriotism to keep the haters and dividers from driving us ever further apart.

You can write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson in care of this Newspaper or by email at: jjackson@rainbowpush.org

MAYOR'S OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AWARDS $84,000 TO PROJECTS PROMOTING TOURISM AND RESILIENCE

ByStyleMagazine.com - Newswire

The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) announced it is awarding $84,000 in grants to 8 individuals and nonprofit organizations whose work furthers cultural tourism and resilience in the city.

The funds were awarded through City’s Initiative, a competitive grant program that is administered by the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) and funded by a portion of the city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax.

The program opens four times a year and offers grants in three categories: neighborhood cultural destinations, conference tourism, and resilience awareness. In addition to these funding categories, MOCA awards a small number of special community initiatives each year.

“These eight projects illustrate the importance of neighborhood identity in our city,” says Mayor Sylvester Turner. “These projects celebrate the neighborhoods they happen in, add to their identities, and together highlight our goal of expanding cultural offerings throughout the City.”

Adam Castaneda: "Reviving Churches" is a multidisciplinary, com-

munity-based activation that addresses the broken windows theory in a holistic, creative manner. Local choreographer Adam Castaneda will activate an abandoned Church's Chicken location in the Near Northside neighborhood at 2700 Fulton Street in partnership with the Greater Northside Management District. Over the course of three weeks, this abandoned complex will be transformed into a vibrant public art installation that will culminate in a community gathering that consists of student essay readings, dance performances, live music, and temporary art. This grant was awarded under the Neighborhood Cultural Des-

tinations category.

Andrea Venson: “Elevated Intersections” is a painting exhibition featuring Andrea Venson and Jatziri Barron that captures a series of monthly events in Fifth Ward Houston. There will be a Mindful Painting session led by Andrea, a Salsa night led by Texas Salsa Congress, a Hip-Hop dance night led by Sun’Kissd Dance Concepts, and two outdoor yoga sessions led by Nicole Peralta and Jotina Buck. The final art exhibition will open at the DeLuxe Theater on September 23, 2023 and will feature dance performances by Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective and Itzcoatl Tez-

katlipoka. This grant was awarded under the Neighborhood Cultural Destinations category.

Ars Lyrica Houston: Ars Lyrica Houston presents "Maria’s Magical Music Adventure," an interactive musical story time, at three key community venues in spring 2023. Maria’s Magical Music Adventure follows a young girl named Maria and Matthew the Musical Magician as they travel through time to meet Antonio Vivaldi, who has just written The Four Seasons. Musical accompaniment features The Four Seasons, along with original music arranged for string quartet and narration in English and Spanish. Maria’s Magical Music Adventure, presented at Rothko Chapel for Menil Neighborhood Day, Heights Kids’ Day of Music, and Discovery Green, is a magical music adventure for the whole family. This grant was awarded under the Neighborhood Cultural Destinations category.

Read more at StyleMagazine.com

MEMBER FDIC

he Texas Education Agency will host a series of community meetings to provide information regarding the board of managers pro-

Community members are invited to come and learn more and ask questions about the process.

Community Information Ses-

TEA TO HOST COMMUNITY MEETINGS

March 30, 2023 | 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Kashmere High School | Auditorium

6900 Wileyvale, Houston 77028

Searching for Board Managers

in Sports

sion

Coming soon: A recording will be available for community members who are unable to attend in person.

| 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Westbury High School | Auditorium 11911 Chimney Rock, Houston

March 22, 2023 | 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Chavez High School | Auditorium 8501 Howard, Houston 77017

March 29, 2023 | 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Hattie Mae White | Board Auditorium

Educational Support Center

The Board of Managers will improve outcomes for Houston ISD students by representing the vision and values of the community, and by providing oversight to ensure that the vision and values are being honored.

Job Description Overview

The core purpose of the Board of Managers is to improve student outcomes by representing the vision and values of the Houston ISD community where every Houston ISD student is to be prepared for college, career, or the military in a manner that is equitable, transparent, and efficient. Through performance management practices, data-informed routines, and authentic stakeholder engagement, the BOM provides oversight to ensure that the vision and values are being honored and students are being well-served. The Board of Managers assumes all of the powers and authority previously held by the suspended Board of Trustees.

For more information, please visit haul.org/eodgala or contact Brandi Ledet | bledet@haul.org | 713-393-8783

4400 West 18th St., Houston 77092

For more information, visit https://tea. texas.gov/

Webinar

Dusty Baker

ck Excellence

BUILDING ON THE LEGACY OF WOMEN TRAILBLAZERS

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

Each time a woman stands up for herself she stands up for all women,” said famous poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou.

Houston has a bevy of women who stand up for women every day. They stand in the gap for those who can’t stand on their own. They fight for those without power. Changes have been made because of their work and sacrifice. Women’s History Month honors the strides that these women make every day that influence the lives of our present and our future. More important than these women today are the women that came before them to make their way a little easier. As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we recognized some of Houston’s most prominent women.

M. Helen Cavazos is a human resources and diversity executive with extensive background in a variety of industries to include retail, insurance, financial services, and transportation. Her human resources career includes working at corporate headquarters for McDonald’s Corporation in Chicago and last corporate position was Vice President Human Resources & Diversity METRO Houston. She is founder and president of M. H. Cavazos & Associates, a human resources and diversity management consulting firm. She has channeled her human resources

expertise to working with non- profit organizations. She currently serves as Director of Human Resources for AAMA, a non-profit organization that includes the George I Sanchez Charter Schools, and health and human services clinics both here and in Laredo, Texas. Helen has served on national and local boards of organizations that foster developmental and economic opportunities for women and diverse groups. She is active on the Education committee of the City of Houston Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board, Executive Committee of Ronald McDonald’s House Charities Board of Houston/Galveston, the Women’s Initiative Leadership of Anti-Defamation League, and serves on the Advisory Committee of ACAP’s Diversity Summit. She was appointed to the HGAC Workforce Solutions Board and serves

on the Education, Procurement & Audit Committees. Before Cavazos, there was Frances Perkins, the first woman ever appointed to the U.S. Cabinet as Secretary of Labor from 1933-1945.

Ruby Munoz Dang began her career as a Portfolio Administrator at Garcia Hamilton & Associates. She has held a variety of investment positions at the Firm including Equity Trader, Equity Research Analyst, and Assistant Equity Portfolio Manager. As the Firm transitioned into only fixed income assets in 2002, Ms. Dang focused on growing the marketing and client relations of the Firm. In January of 2014, she was promoted to Director of Marketing and Client Services and became a Partner of the Firm. Since 2002, the Firm’s fixed income assets under management have grown from $200 million to over

$20.7 billion (as of February 28, 2022). Dang leads a team of 15 associates that focus on informing the firm’s client and consultant base with portfolio positioning, market outlook, and firm updates. Furthermore, she is also a member of the firm’s executive committee which is responsible for the budgeting of the firm. She also co-coordinates the Firm’s participation in educational forums and conference presentations. She serves on the Investment Advisory Committee for the Employees Retirement System of Texas Fund.

She previously served as a Trustee for the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County Non-Union Pension Plan & Trust and has spoken on numerous panels and forums related to market and pension issues. Additionally, Mrs. Dang supports Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) initiatives for women and minorities across the investment industry. Before Dang, there was Abigail Adams, the first recorded female investor in American history.

Vannessa Wilson Hendrickson began her career as a real estate agent in 1977. She was the first independent agent to have an exclusive listing agreement with General Homes.She was the first black woman appraiser for the Houston region of the Federal Housing Administration. Continued on Pg. 9

M. Helen Cavazos Ruby Munoz Dang

Vannessa Wilson Hendrickson

BUILDING ON THE LEGACY OF WOMEN TRAILBLAZERS

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

empowerment; hope and financial assistance to thousands of women annually through its national network of over 25 survivor-run affiliate chapters. Sisters Network has provided over $1million in conference scholarships to help train African American breast cancer survivors to be advocate leaders in their communities through its national African American Breast Cancer conference. Jackson recently released her memoir, “In the Company of My Sisters: My Story, My Truth”. Before Jackson, there was Fannie Lou Hamer, civil rights activist who fought for racial inequality among people of color.

She has been the owner of JoVann Appraisal Company since 1983. Hendrickson has a Master of Divinity and became a licensed and ordained to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the leadership of Rev. William Alexander Lawson. Rev. Hendrickson actively gives back to her community as a Teaching Leader for S.A.R.A.H. Ministries, an interdenominational bible study for women. She also served in the jail and prison ministry as a Volunteer Chaplain for the Federal Detention Center. Before Hendrickson, there was Barbara Corcoran, who sold her real estate company for $66 million to NRT.

Karen Eubanks Jackson , Founder/CEO of Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI), a 28-year four-time breast cancer survivor and author who is recognized nationally as a true visionary and national leader in the Black breast cancer movement. Sisters Network Inc. is the nation’s largest and only national Black breast cancer survivorship organization. Jackson continues to lead Sisters Network’s nationwide effort to focus the spotlight on increasing breast cancer awareness in the Black community. The organization provides standardized national educational outreach programs; survivor & family support;

Carmen P. Turner is the First African American Tax Assessor-Collector in Fort Bend County. She services a county of over 850,000 residents, ranking as one of the top ten counties in Texas. Turner is the co-founder of the Smith & Turner Foundation, a nonprofit organization fully committed to restorative justice and prison reform. She helps formerly incarcerated individuals secure their Commercial Driver's Licenses through the Foundation. Additionally, Turner's commitment to her community has spanned over three decades, emphasizing supporting the youth and senior citizens. Turner has twenty years of municipal, county, and state

government experience and being a business owner for over thirty-five years; fifteen of those years included residential and commercial real estate experience. Turner's professional expertise will allow her to educate the residents of Fort Bend County and ensure their awareness of county resources by furnishing the community with the tools needed to meet tax obligations adequately. Turner's top priority is transparency and efficiency through direction and leadership for an effective administration and operations. Turner looks forward to the journey ahead while providing services, employing applicable managerial, budgeting, and accounting procedures to ensure efficient and effective utilization of Fort Bend County's resources. Turner is honored to serve as Fort Bend County's Tax Assessor-Collector. Before Turner, there was Nelda Wells Spears, Texas’ first African American tax assessor-collector.

Read more at: StyleMagazine.com

Karen Eubanks Jackson Carmen P. Turner

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo returned full swing in 2023, welcoming more than 2.4 million guests over the 23-day event. This year’s show had some of the best weather in Rodeo history, action-packed RODEOHOUSTON® competitions, 10 record-breaking auctions, and an addition of a new star on the Star Trail of Fame.

“With sensational weather, unbeatable family-fun, one-of-a-kind educational exhibits, elite athletes, outstanding exhibitors, successful auctions

HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO WRAPS UP AN UNFORGETTABLE 2023 SHOW WITH A STAR-STUDDED LINEUP AND A NEW ADDITION TO THE STAR TRAIL OF FAME

By StyleMagazine.com -

Photography By Cameron C. Lee

and an unmatched concert lineup, 2023 was a spectacular, record setting year for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo,” said Chris Boleman, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo president and CEO. “With the help and dedication of more than 35,000 Show volunteers and staff, we were able to provide a unique and unforgettable experience once again to our guests.

But it’s truly because of the ongoing support from our community that we are able to provide millions in scholarships and change lives year after

year.”

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo entertained guests for 23 days, Feb. 23 – 25, and Feb. 28 – March 19, 2023. 2023 RODEO HIGHLIGHTS

Attendance

Total attendance for all activities on the grounds, Feb. 23 – 25 (World’s Champi- onship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings) and Feb. 28 – March 19, 2023 (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo) reached 2,479,004.

o In three days, the World’s Champi- onship Bar-B-Que Contest entertained 214,903 guests.

o Showtime highest daily total atten- dance from 2023:

Wednesday, March 15, 2023 – 165,623

Saturday, March 11, 2023 – 159,610

Saturday, March 18, 2023 – 146,489

Sunday, March 19, 2023 – 140,521

Sunday, March 12, 2023 – 139,912

Paid rodeo/concert attendance reached 1,355,367.

o Highest paid rodeo/concert perfor- mances from 2023:

Sunday, March 19, 2023 – Luke Bryan – 74,779

Saturday, March 11, 2023 – Turnpike Troubadours – 74,657

Saturday, March 18, 2023 –Brad Paisley – 74,577

Friday, March 3, 2023 – Black Heritage Day, presented by Kroger – Bun B’s Southern Takeover – 74,573

Friday, March 17, 2023 – Cody Johnson – 73,144

RODEOHOUSTON®

RODEOHOUSTON committed $2.178 million to its contestants in 2023. The 2023 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series invited the world's top rodeo athletes to compete in eight traditional rodeo events.

RODEOHOUSTON introduced its second women’s-only event, Breakaway Roping,

for seven days in 2022. For 2023, Break- away Roping was included in all 20 performances.

RODEOHOUSTON Super Series athletes competed for a share of $2,178,000 in prize money. Each event champion rode out of NRG Stadium with $50,000, plus fromwinnings the preliminary rounds.

The 2023 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series Champions, with total money earned, are:

Bareback Riding: Leighton Berry: Weatherford, Texas – $57,375

Barrel Racing: Jordon Briggs: Tolar, Texas – $58,000

This is Briggs’ second Champion- ship win in a row.

Breakaway Roping: Hali Williams: Comanche, Texas – $53,750

Bull Riding: Ky Hamilton: Beaver, Utah – $62,000

Saddle Bronc Riding: Sage New- man: Melstone, Montana – $56,750

• Newman is a previous RODEOHOUSTON Championship winner (2022)

Steer Wrestling: Dalton Massey, Stanfield, Oregon – $54,250

Team Roping: Rhen Richard: Roo- sevelt, Utah; and Jeremy Buhler, Maricopa, Arizona– $111,500 ($55,750 each)

Tie-Down Roping: Riley Webb: Denton, Texas – $55,625

• For 2023, RODEOHOUSTON split its Wild Card Round into a two-day event, eliminating RODEOHOUSTONtheSuper Shootout from the schedule.

Read more at: StyleMagazine.com

Drone Show Above The Fairgrounds Cody Johnson

Parker McCollum

Brady Beal

Opening Night at NRG Stadium

Right on time for Women’s History Month, The Ensemble Theatre’s next production, ‘CLYDE’S,’ showcases the talents and contributions of amazing female artistry. Written by Pulitzer Prize winning Playwright Lynn Nottage, ‘CLYDE’S’ is one of the most popular plays in the country. ‘CLYDE’S’ debuted on Broadway in 2021 and instantly became a favorite amongst theatre patrons and critics alike, going on to receive the Tony Award for Best Play in 2022. Set in a Pennsylvania truck stop sandwich shop, ‘CLYDE’S’ explores the intricacies of a group of ex-convicts navigating their “second chance” at life and freedom, all while expressing their journeys through the quest to create the perfect sandwich. Under the tyrannic leadership of their boss, Clyde, the group seeks to overcome the mistakes they’ve

THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE IS SERVING UP THE FLAVOR WITH ‘CLYDE’S!’

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

made and move forward, in whatever way they can.

“By setting up a conflict between a tyrannical, mercenary, abusive boss and a group of struggling kitchen workers — in this case, former felons — who are constantly stymied in their attempts to do their best and most original creative work, Nottage really is going after the forces that control Broadway and the upper echelons of the other branches of showbiz. This shrewdest of American

playwrights is tacitly accusing them of a lack of imagination, unkindness toward vulnerable workers, the propagation of unsafe work environments and a determination to play to the lowest common denominator when it comes to the tastes of customers who would prefer better quality fare, if only they were offered such a menu.” -Chis Jones, Chicago Tribune

Adding to the impact of female creative talent, The Ensemble Theatre has collaborated with Shirley Jo Finney to direct ‘CLYDE’S.’ Shirley Jo, who has worked with The Ensemble Theatre previously (her last creative partnership with The Ensemble Theatre was as Director of ‘The Green Book’), is a well-known Actress and Director, having a career that dates back to 1977. Best known for her acting roles (which includes appearances on ‘Lou Grant’, ‘Hill Street Blues’ and ‘Amen’, to name a few), Shirley Jo Finney has also directed episodes of popular TV show

‘Moesha’ and travels across the world directing plays. Shirley Jo Finney is an award-winning international director of theater, television and films, and has most recently directed a revised, surrealist version of ‘Pippin’ for Dartmouth College. Shirley Jo has worn her director’s hat in some of the most respected regional theater houses across the country including The McCarter Theatre, The Pasadena Playhouse, The Goodman Theater, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Cleveland Play house, The Fountain Theater, LA Theater Works, The Crossroads Theater Company, Actors Theater of Louisville Humana Festival, the Sundance Theater Workshop ,The Mark Taper Forum, Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts and the State Theater Opera House in Pretoria ,South Africa. Read more at:

StyleMagazine.com

MEMORIAL PARK

S. PICNIC LOOP

MARCH 24-26 2023

FRIDAY - SUNDAY

10 AM TO 6 PM

FEATURED ARTIST DEWEY JAMES

■ 300 National & International Artists

■ 19 Disciplines of Art

■ 2 Entertainment Stages

■ Active Imagination Zone

■ Craft Beer & Wine Garden

■ Art Installations & Exhibits

■ Food Truck Park

■ VIP Hospitality Lounge

HBun B’s 50th Birthday Party

Houston, rapper Bun B celebrated the BIG 5-0 over the weekend with members of his family and friends. Diageo and its brands hosted the affair, which featured special guests throughout the evening. The UGK rapper celebrated 50 years of life and #HipHop50 anniversary by toasting with CÎROC – the official vodka of Hip Hop 50 – and Crown Royal and Tequila

Don Julio cocktails. Guests were treated to a special performance by Bun B while dancing to H-Town classics spun by DJ Mr. Rogers, and enjoying Bun B’s signature Trill Burgers. To add to the celebrations, Bun B also marked 20 years of marriage with his wife, Angela "Queenie" Walls, and surprised guests with a vow renewal. Among those in attendance were H-Town’s own LeToya Luckett, J Prince, and more.

H Tequila Don Julio Celebrate Latino Excellence H

Tequila Don Julio hosted an intimate dinner with Mexican-American photographer, Carlos Eric Lopez, writer Gloria Calderón Kellett, and singer and actor Michael Cimino for Latino talent and high-level executives in Austin, Texas. It was a magical evening connecting the community and celebrating Latino excellence across a variety of industries. Among the attendees were leading artists, entrepreneurs, grassroots organizers, and industry executives. Notable guests included: Julio Macias (Promised Land, Selena the Series), Diego Tinoco (On My Block), Danay Garcia (Fear the Walking Dead), Michael Cimino (Love Victor), Natalia Del Reigo (Hail Mary, which premiered during SXSW), Veronica and Miguel Garza (Siete Foods co-founders).

Grammy Award winning trumpeter, composer, and POPS fan favorite Chris Botti returns to the Jones Hall stage to join Principal POPS Conductor Steven Reineke and the Houston Symphony for three special performances April 14-16. Botti and the Symphony conjure a passionate ambience with enthralling and romantic pieces such as Hallelujah and You Don’t Know What Love Is from Keep ‘Em Flying, When I Fall in Love from One Minute to Zero, and many more. Fans

JONES HALL, APRIL 14-16

Kathleen Coleman, Arts Editor

CHRIS

will have the opportunity to livestream the performance on Saturday, April 15 at 8 p.m. This performance is part of the Bank of America POPS Series.

Over three decades, Chris Botti has amassed an impressive variety of honors, including four #1 jazz albums, multiple Gold and Platinum albums and the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album for Impressions (2012). Botti has recorded and performed with the best in music, including legends such as Sting, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Joni Mitchell, Yo-Yo Ma, Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon, and

Andrea Bocelli. Performing worldwide and selling more than four million albums, Botti has become the largest-selling instrumental artist in the nation and has thoroughly established himself as one of most innovative figures of the contemporary music world. Guests can enjoy a Chris Botti themed cocktail, The Chris Botti Rickey made with gin, lime and club soda, in the Jones Hall lobby. For tickets and more information, call 713.224.7575 or visit houstonsymphony.org/chrisbotti.

HOUSTON SYMPHONY PRESENTS

CHRIS BOTTI

Friday & Saturday, April 14 & 15 at 8 p.m.

Livestream available Saturday, April 15 at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 16 at 2:30 p.m. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts

Steven Reineke, conductor Chris Botti, trumpet

Chris Botti

Steven Reineke

HNNPA State of the Black Press H

NNPA hosted a very successful “State of the Black Press” luncheon at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, March 17th, 2023. In addition, those present were able to visit the White House at the invitation of President Biden’s press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre.

HRun Sister Run Women's History Brunch H

Run Sister Run PAC celebrated five years of supporting and electing women candidates at their Annual Women’s History Brunch. Mary Morrison was the recipient of the Community Impact Award. State Rep. Ann Johnson was honored with the Strong Award. State Rep. Alma Allen received the Barbara Jordan Award. State Rep. Ron Reynolds brought remarks and presented the organization a proclamation. Others in attendance were RSR Co-founder Nicole DeLoach, RSR Co-founder Tonya, Amanda K. Edwards, Shekira Dennia, Audrie Lawton Evans, and more.

FLORENCE BUTT, H-E-B FOUNDER