City's Financial Symposium Oct. 29 Set to Help Small and Minority-Owned Businesses Gain Access to Capital and Resources

Join the City of Houston’s 2nd Annual Financial Symposium, featuring 20+ national and local financial institutions to help small and minority-owned businesses, as well as nonprofits, gain access to capital and resources to compete, grow, and succeed.

The free symposium — in collaboration with the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity — will feature Houston Mayor John Whitmire as keynote speaker.

Admission, parking, and a continental breakfast are complimentary with an RSVP.  Reserve your seat by using the QR code on the flyer above or by visiting this link.

Please share with any business owners who may be interested in attending.

To sponsor the event and host a resource table, please contact the City of Houston At-Large 2 office at atlarge2@houstontx.gov.

BANKING ON YOUR BUSINESS 2.0 FINANCIAL SYMPOSIUM

• Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026

• Check-in & Networking 8 a.m.

• Symposium 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• Bayou City Event Center, 9401 Knight Road, Houston, TX 77045

• RSPV here.

Families with Pride: Free, Family-Friendly Celebration on Oct. 24

The Office of Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin is inviting the community to join them at FAMILIES WITH PRIDE, a free, family‑friendly celebration at Discovery Green from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m, Saturday, October 24, during LGBTQIA+ History Month. 

With Halloween coming up, this event gives kids another fun opportunity to wear their Halloween costumes and enjoy a morning of celebration, creativity and community, according the Harris County DA’s office.

Families with Pride features a full lineup of FREE activities, including:

• Arts & Crafts

• Face painting

• DJ and Live Music

• Kids Costume Party

• Mini Golf

• Balloon Artist

• Hula‑Hooping

• Community resources

For directions, visit the Discovery Green map here.

Are You on a Voter Suspense List? Check Your Registration Status by Oct. 5

With the November 2026 election approaching, some 1.2 million Texans were placed on voter suspense lists after their respective counties failed to verify their current addresses by mail. That includes 300,000 residents of Harris County.

Those on the lists have until October 5, 2026 to confirm their addresses — if they want to cast a ballot in the upcoming midterms without the hassle of filling out additional paperwork on Election Day.

Harris County residents can check their voter registration status with the Harris County Clerk here.

For answers to common voting and election questions visit VoteTexas.gov.

Become a Member of Houston's Community Emergency Response Team!

This summer, Super Neighborhood 12 residents can prepare for local emergencies by training to become a member of The City of Houston’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

CERT is a FEMA-approved program that teaches citizens basic disaster response skills.

CERT training helps prepare residents to react in an emergency situation prior to the arrival of first responders, or in the case of a major disaster, manage prior to their availability.

Training readies residents in fire safety, disaster preparedness, medical triage, light search and rescue, and many other important topics.

FREE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING

This summer, the city will conveniently offer free CERT Training for Super Neighborhood 12 residents at the Acres Home Multi-Service Center. Register here - https://forms.office.com/g/vuTsXs3XRW

And not only is this vital training free, participants also get free stuff! Like a backpack that includes PPE supplies, vest and hard hat, manual, badge and certificates of completion.

The time commitment is over eight weeks, with 24 hours taught in 3-hour modules, and a final drill run with the group.

Invite friends and family to join even if they do not reside in SN 12. The more the merrier — and the community will be better prepared.

“We tend to think that in an emergency we will be strong and focused, but will we really be able to calmly take the necessary steps?” asked Lauren Thorne, a CERT member. “This course is not just for how to overcome hurricanes and flooding events. My final drill was staged as a car accident with hidden electrical and gas hazards that needed to be addressed before saving those injured. Car accidents happen everyday.”

Understand the Draft FEMA Floodplain Maps for Your Home or Neighborhood

Online Navigator tool before (left) and after example, demonstrating the impact of the draft FEMA floodplain maps on individual property and neighborhoods.

Learn how to understand the draft FEMA Floodplain Maps for Your Home or Neighborhood. Join the Harris County Flood Control District for a series of virtual information sessions about the recently released draft floodplain maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

If you’ve wondered what the updated draft maps show for your home or neighborhood, these sessions will help you understand where to look and what it means. 

During the sessions, we'll cover:

• What floodplain maps are and why they're being updated

• What's changing in the new draft FEMA maps

• How to use the online Navigator tool to find your property

• What happens next and how you can stay involved

It’s important to note that, at this time, these maps are draft and have no regulatory or insurance impacts. 

Scheduled Meetings

June 23, 2026
4:30 PM
Click to Register

July 1, 2026
12:00 PM
Click to Register

These sessions are designed for the general public and no prior knowledge is needed. Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or simply interested in flood risk in your community, we encourage you to attend a session and learn more. 

If you are unable to join, materials and resources will be made available after the meeting. 

Learn more about this program at www.hcfcd.org/MAAPnext.

Coffee with the Council Member & Cops

Join City of Houston Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Amy Peck, HPD North Division Captain Watson, and Houston Public Works for light bites and conversations about public safety, public works project updates in the Inwood area, or any other city issues.

Thursday, May 28, 2026
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Dr, Houston, Texas, 77088

District H Internship Program is Accepting Applications Until May 29, 2026

The District H Horizons Internship Program — designed to cultivate the next generation of public leaders — is accepting applications until May 29, 2026.

A paid, six-month opportunity led by Houston Council Member Mario Castillo, the program provides hands-on experience in local government and community engagement.

Interns work alongside the District H team on constituent services, communications, neighborhood engagement and special projects that directly impact residents across the district.

Horizons was created to give emerging leaders meaningful exposure to public service, civic engagement and the day-to-day work of serving the community.

Program details:

• Open to individuals 18+ who live, work, or study in District H

• Paid at $17/hour

• Part-time (20 hours/week)

• Structured to provide professional development, mentorship and practical experience in public service

For specific application instructions, or to learn more about District H’s Horizon Internship Program, click on the poster artwork above, or visit here.

Weigh in on City's FY27 Budget with "Your Two Cents" Survey & Town Halls

You can help guide budgeting decisions for the City of Houston’s 2027 fiscal year. Council Member Sallie Alcorn, At-Large 5, has launched her annual YOUR TWO CENTS budget survey asking city residents for their opinion on which city services matter most.

“As budget conversations begin at City Hall begin, I want to hear from you,” Alcorn posted. “These are your hard-earned tax dollars, and your perspective matters. What services do you believe the city delivers well? Where do you see gaps or unmet needs? Where should we invest more — or spend less? Your feedback helps shape the decisions ahead.”

Access the YOUR TWO CENTS survey here: https://riceuniversity.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eEU2CxihTwCxdQO 

Additionally, to spur public engagement, Alcorn and City Council Member Mario Castillo, District H, will host two town halls, with both in-person and virtual options.

• Saturday, May 16 at 10 a.m. — Budget Town Hall at the Fonde Community Center, 110 Sabine St.

• Wednesday, May 20 at 6 p.m. — Virtual Budget Town Hall via Microsoft Teams

• To RSVP for either the May 16 or May 20 town hall, click here

Plus, the public is invited to weigh in on the city’s spending priorities during the annual budget workshops beginning Tuesday, May 12. See the full schedule below. The budget workshops are also shown live on HTV and may be found after the fact linked on the HTV website. 

Campaign to Save Garden Oaks Theater from Demolition

Help H-GAC Plan a Better Way for Houstonians to Get Around

The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is developing the Regional Public Transportation Coordination Plan (RPTCP) 2027–2031, which helps guide public transportation services across the 13-county region.

The regional plan focuses on improving coordination between transportation providers and identifying strategies to better serve residents, including older adults, individuals with disabilities, and people with limited access to transportation, according to H-GAC.

H-GAC serves as the lead coordination agency for TxDOT Planning Region 14, covering the 13-county Gulf Coast region. The Plan supports the 13 counties within H-GAC's service area.

TAKE THE SURVEY
Community input is an important part of this process, explains H-GAC. Residents, organizations, and transit providers are invited to share their feedback through a short online survey.

Survey results can help H-GAC:

• Identify gaps – where buses, trains, and other transit services are needed most.

• Allocate funding wisely – ensure resources reach the areas that need them.

• Connect communities – help people reach work, education, healthcare, and essential services.

To take the H-GAC survey, or for more information, click HERE.

Harris Co. Transportation Master Plan Town Hall - March 10, 2026

From the Office of Harris County Pct. 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis:

As a next step in the broader countywide planning process, the Harris County Office of the County Engineer will be hosting a Town Hall for the Harris County Transportation Master Plan. This meeting will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the county’s long-term transportation planning efforts and share input to help guide mobility, safety, and connectivity improvements across Harris County.

We encourage residents to attend and continue contributing their perspectives as this important work moves forward.

Event Details: 

Office of County Engineering - Transportation Master Plan Town Hall

Date: March 10, 2026, 6 – 8 p.m.

Location: Fallbrook Church, 12512 Walters Road, Houston, TX 77014

If you cannot attend in person, we encourage you to still share your input by completing the community survey available through the Transportation Master Plan website.

We hope to see you there.

For accommodations, please call 713-274-3607 or email HCTMP@harriscountytx.gov.

One Safe Houston Community Day is August 11

RSVP here to join Mayor Turner on Friday, August 11, 2023 for back-to-school, health and safety resources, plus games, face painting, treats and giveaways. Free event.