Skip to main content

One Houston Together: Developing Equitable Communities

Published Sep 24, 2020 by A.J. Mistretta

Historic gaps in equity and access to opportunity continue to adversely impact communities across Houston. Today, a person’s zip code remains one of the best indicators of their health and wealth. But there are renewed efforts to close the gaps in equity in our region’s communities. 

The fourth installment of the Partnership’s One Houston Together webinar series looked at Developing Equitable Communities and featured  Duwain Pinder, Associate Partner, McKinsey and Company; Kyle Shelton, Deputy Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research; Robert Bullard, Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy, Texas Southern University; and Susan Rogers, Director, Community Design Resource Center at the University of Houston College of Architecture and Design. 

We invite you to watch the full conversation by clicking the video recording to the right. Please note: There is a brief gap in the video recording after the 4-minute mark. We apologize for this technical issue. 

Discussion topics included: 

  • What it means to create equitable neighborhoods and communities and how we address the historic roots of inequitable policies and systems.
  • The importance of including justice in racial equity efforts.
  • How disasters can widen the equity gap in neighborhoods and the need for resiliency in both physical and social infrastructure. 
  • How Harris County added a lens of equity to the distribution of flood resiliency funds and projects.
  • Defining the racial wealth gap and how closing it can benefit the economy. 
  • Can public and private funding resources effectively work together to impact equity.
  • Why the issue of systemic racism precludes the development of equitable communities and cities. 
  • Beyond government, the role businesses and industries can play in addressing racial equity and justice. 

Additional Resources: 

Learn more about One Houston Together

Below are other events related to the series. All One Houston Together virtual events are free to register: 

Watch previous One Houston Together webinars: 

Related News

Economic Development

George R. Brown Convention Center’s $2 Billion Transformation Project

3/10/25
The George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) is set to undergo a major transformation that will reimagine downtown Houston into a pedestrian-friendly convention and entertainment district.  Mayor John Whitmire and Houston First Corporation recently unveiled a master plan for the project, marking the first substantial renovation since 2016, which opened the building to Discovery Green and created the Avenida Houston Plaza.   The $2 billion project aims to bolster Houston’s position as a global hub for sports, entertainment and tourism, an especially timely investment as the city prepares to host FIFA World Cup matches in 2026 and the Republican National Convention in 2028.   Phase One  Click to expand The first phase of development includes a 700,000-square-foot building, GRB Houston South, which will serve as a key connector between downtown and Houston’s East End. The building will include two exhibit halls, a multipurpose hall opening to the new Central Plaza, an atrium flex hall, ground-level retail and dining spaces and what is set to be the largest ballroom in Texas.  Click to expand Additionally, the Avenida Plaza will be extended south to connect Discovery Green with the new Central Plaza, creating an expanded gathering space for large-scale events and community activities.  “This project is truly transformative for downtown Houston, a lasting legacy that will solidify our position as a top-tier convention and entertainment destination,” said Mayor Whitmire in a press release. “Most importantly, we are creating a space that will build community, foster connection, and shape the future of Houston.”  Click to expand The project's design is inspired by Houston’s bayous and natural prairie landscape. Along with its nature-inspired elements, the building will use eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems, including rainwater collection and water-saving features, to minimize its environmental impact and strengthen the city's sustainability efforts.  The groundbreaking project will be funded by a portion of the state’s hotel tax revenue, made possible by Senate Bill 1057, which passed in 2023.  The Need for Expanded Infrastructure  With Houston’s hospitality and tourism industry rapidly expanding, the demand for expanded infrastructure has never been greater. In 2024, the city welcomed more than 54 million visitors, an increase of six percent from 2023 and nearly 10 percent since 2019, according to Houston First.  Click to expand “It is imperative for us to stay competitive and meet the needs of our meetings and convention customers,” said Michael Heckman, President and CEO of Houston First, in the same release. “This project will not only accomplish that but will "establish a gathering space that will be the epicenter for entertainment, sports, and city-wide events, accentuating our ability to capitalize on Houston's unique offerings.”  GRB Houston South is scheduled to open in May 2028, with the full project expected to be completed by 2038.  Discover more about living in Houston. 
Read More
Economic Development

Texas Lawmakers Prioritize Economic Growth with New Committees

1/30/25
Every Texas legislative session brings something new: bold policies, fresh faces on the chamber floor, or, in this case, a new focus on making the Texas economy bigger and better. This year, the Texas House and Senate have restructured their standing committees, creating stand-alone panels to emphasize economic development and other key drivers of the state’s economy. In the Texas Senate, returning Senator Phil King will chair the newly formed Committee on Economic Development. Previously, the committee was a policy-combination focusing on Natural Resources and Economic Development. King, who previously served as Vice-Chair for the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce, said he is excited to take on the leadership position in the upper chamber. “I am honored that Lt. Gov. Patrick has entrusted me to lead the Economic Development Committee in Texas, which has the eighth largest economy in the world,” Senator King said in a statement to the Partnership. “We will use this session to discuss policy solutions that can continue to drive our state's economic growth and prosperity over the next two years and beyond. I look forward to hearing from business leaders and local officials from across the state on how we can build upon the Texas Miracle in their communities.” The Texas House created the Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development. Under first-term Speaker Dustin Burrows, the House will have a committee focused on the workforce and expanding the talent pipeline for the first time. Committee assignments for the Texas House have yet to be released.  Burrows told the Partnership he is committed to seeing Texas build a bigger and better economic engine for future generations.  "The Texas House remains focused on delivering legislative solutions that will strengthen our state's mighty economy and provide more economic opportunities for hardworking Texans," said Speaker Dustin Burrows. "This session, the House's new Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development will take a comprehensive approach to ensuring businesses have the freedom and tools to thrive in our state, with a newly created subcommittee concentrating on policies to bolster the Texas workforce. The House will also prioritize support for small businesses through legislation that aims to unleash the power of Texas entrepreneurship in communities across the state by cutting taxes and reforming the regulatory process." It’s too soon to say which bills will go to these committees. For now, a review of the interim reports from the previous committees points to support of key policy priorities for the Partnership: Early Childhood Education: the House and Senate both recognized a statewide need for expanding programs that support families and young children in education/developmental programs The successful implementation of the Lone Star Workforce of the Future Fund [HB 1755 - 89(R)] is compelling lawmakers to invest further in innovation and growth for apprenticeship and training programs. Expanding the available workforce talent pool will remain a priority for the 89th Texas Legislature. Click below to read the full interim reports from the following committees: Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development House Committee on International Relations and Economic Development To learn more about the Partnership's Legislative Priorities, click here. For more updates and alerts on the Texas Legislature, click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Read More

Related Events

Diversity and Inclusion

Inclusive Sourcing Roundtable - Incorporating the Eight Components of Change Management into your Inclusive Sourcing Strategy

This event is ideal for Partnership member Procurement, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Sourcing, and Supplier Diversity leaders and decision makers. Please note that roundtables are NOT intended for minority businesses,…

Learn More
Learn More
Executive Partners