Jasemine Knowles

Houston has become home to one of the largest hubs of human trafficking in the nation, which has prompted city officials to make fighting the issue a top priority. A recent University of Texas study found that there are over 300,000 victims in Texas, with nearly 15,000 of them from Houston. While the exact racial breakdown is unknown, human rights advocates say Black women and other women of color make up the bulk of trafficking victims.

Six months after launching the “Roadmap to Ending HIV In Houston Campaign,” Legacy Community Health (LCH) held a symposium with the multiple stakeholders involved in their plan to look at progress made and what’s needed over the next six months. The campaign parallels plans that have been implemented in other major cities such as New York and San Francisco, and is the first of its kind in Texas.

New city attractions have enhanced Houston’s reputation as a tourism spot, and according to Houston First board members, their initiative has shepherded business opportunities for African-Americans and other minorities. Formed in 2011, Houston First is a local government corporation leading the effort to promote Houston as one of the greatest cities in the world. It manages more than 10 city-owned buildings and properties and underground and surface parking for nearly 7,000 vehicles.