Houston
A little-known fact: Houston is not only the 4th-largest city in the United States (by population), it is also one of the most diverse and one of the youngest. Houston is home to 6 colleges and universities, including nationally-recognized Rice University; a world-renowned medical center; four major league sports teams; a sizeable museum district and professional opera, ballet, theater and orchestra companies (one of the few American cities to have professional permanent troupes in all of the performing arts).
City Hall Fellows deployed two cohorts to Houston between 2008-2010. These Fellows tackled projects as diverse as Houston itself. They galvanized the community around reducing local obesity rates. They created comprehensive histories of Houston’s planning and zoning regulations and Houston HOPE (an historic neighborhood reinvestment initiative). They established a Citizen Park Inspector program to improve security in and upkeep of city parks. They were on the front lines of the City’s successful response to Hurricane Ike. They also developed and implemented plans to increase diversity among firemen, to improve morale in the city’s municipal courts and parks departments and to help the city government attract and retain more young talent. The Fellows also hosted one of the first Mayoral debates of the 2009 election season – an event attended by all four leading candidates, including eventual winner Annise Parker.
“City Hall Fellows is turning some of our brightest minds to confronting head-on the civic, social and political problems we face, while teaching them the rewards of public service.”
– Mayor Bill White
Meet the Houston Fellows
Meet the 2010 Houston Fellows
Meet the 2009 Houston Fellows
Learn more about our work in Houston
A View into Public Service
– Houston Chronicle (Sept. 20, 2009)
– The Collegian (Sept. 10, 2009)
– News at HBU (July 29, 2009)
– Rice University Press Release (July 28, 2009)
– Radio Pacifica Houston and Demos Public Works (Feb. 3, 2009)
– The Houston Chronicle (Dec. 27, 2008)
Houston’s Next Generation of Civic Leaders Report for Duty
– City of Houston Press Release (Aug. 15, 2008)
Key Houston Supporters
Houston Friends of Fellows (2009-2010)
Honorable Caroline Baker, Judge, 295th District Court of Harris County
Juanita Elizondo, Director of Corporate Relations, Fiesta Mart, Inc.
John R. Pitts, Attorney at Law
Nancy Sims, Senior Vice President, Pierpont Communications
Mini Timmaraju, Vice President of Public Affairs & Government Relations for Planned Parenthood of Houston, Southeast Texas & Louisiana
Charles Bacarisse, Vice President for Advancement, Houston Baptist University (advisory)
Dr. Jill Carroll, former Executive Director, Boniuk Center for Religious Tolerance at Rice University (advisory)
Dr. Richard Murray, Director for the Survey Research Institute, University of Houston (advisory)
Honorable Ken Wise, Partner, Fridge, Resendez & Wise, LLP (advisory)
Other Key Supporters
Greater Houston Visitors’ & Convention Bureau
The Elkins Foundation
Nancy C. Brainerd
Rhoda & Allen Clamen
Christopher Elkins Joseph
Ben & Rebecca Miller
No Responses