Gold Sponsors

Bree Clarke, founder of The Plant Project, learned everything she knows from gardening with her grandmother and mother, yet she was the first one to open her own plant shop after realizing there were no Black-owned plant stores in Houston.

How it works: Rooted in diversity, culture and community, The Plant Project features indoor plants that range from $4 to $400 as well as workshops and free community events. Clarke said she believes there is a plant for every lifestyle—even for individuals who claim to kill everything they buy. 

The local impact: While the store’s main attraction may be plants, Clarke said her workshops are purposeful and intentionally designed. 

In the past, she’s done workshops on topics such as succulents, planting and gardening, all to “create a place that, no matter your background, race, religion, style, shape [or]  age, you feel as though you belong,” she said.

• 600 N. Shepherd Drive, Ste. 117, Houston

McCoy Rockford is poised to open the largest commercial furniture dealership in the state this summer in Houston.

What we know: The brand is a full-service commercial interior company specializing in workspace solutions, office furniture and design services.

The company partners with over 200 manufacturers to create, furnish and install interior environments, including healthcare, higher education, K-12 education, life sciences and government, according to a May 12 news release.

Zooming in: Owner Mike Luna said the new facility in Houston will serve as a fully functional working environment that will showcase the latest in workplace design while "reflecting the evolving realities of hybrid work."

• 7110 Old Katy Road, Houston

Houston will add more funding for its homeless initiatives in fiscal year 2026-27.

On May 13, officials with the Houston Housing and Community Development Department presented their proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes a 107% increase for homeless initiatives.

Breaking it down: HCD presented a $37.3 million budget for the city’s special revenue fund, which includes the End Street Homeless plan. In FY2025-26, the same fund had a budget of $17.9 million, but is expecting to spend close to $22.5 million by the end of the fiscal year in June. The newly presented budget will result in a 107% increase.

According to the department, the entire special revenue fund will go to personnel, maintenance and operation for the End Street Homeless plan. The plan includes 419 Emanicipation, the city’s hub for homeless individuals to receive resources for housing and other needs.

The total budget for HCD is $38.6 million, with $1.2 million going to its general fund. Additional funding, such as for employee salaries, will come from grants.

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones will host 12 free hurricane and disaster workshops to educate residents as hurricane season nears.

What’s happening: Precinct 4 officials will offer eight disaster workshops allowing residents to learn about natural and other disasters that affect the Greater Houston area, Precinct 4 officials announced in a May 13 news release.

The workshop will also offer information on emergency kits and how to navigate public and private preparedness resources.

Meanwhile, Precinct 4 officials will host four hurricane preparedness workshops offering information on emergency resources and how to navigate disaster coverage, per the release.

Attendees will also be given waterproof document bags and be instructed on how to make their own emergency kit.

Stay tuned: The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and lasts until Nov. 30, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

After dozens of Texas primary races ended without a clear winner in March, candidates for those seats will face off in an overtime round, known as a runoff election, this month. Texans can vote early in the runoff election from May 18-22, with election day May 26.

How it works: State law requires that primary candidates receive more than 50% of the votes cast to advance to a general election.

In the May 26 runoff election, Republican and Democratic voters will choose who they want to represent them in statewide offices, legislative and Congressional seats, the State Board of Education and county-level positions. The winner of each runoff race will appear on the ballot in November.

On the ballot: The statewide Republican runoff races include:

• U.S. Senate: John Cornyn and Ken Paxton
• Texas attorney general: Mayes Middleton and Chip Roy
• Texas railroad commissioner: Jim Wright and Bo French

• Texas attorney general: Nathan Johnson and Joe Jaworski
• Texas lieutenant governor: Vikki Goodwin and Marcos Vélez