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Houston runoff elections: Tough mayoral race as early voting starts Monday

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U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and Texas Sen. John Whitmire are headlining the runoff election this year after neither cleared the required 50 percent vote mark required to be called Houston’s next mayor.

Early voting for Houston’s runoff elections kicks off next Monday. Here’s what you should know.

Early voting begins Nov. 27 and runs through Dec. 5 before the election on Dec. 9. There will be nine races on the ballot.

Mayoral race

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and State Sen. John Whitmire are headlining the runoff election this year after neither cleared the required 50 percent vote mark required to be called Houston’s next mayor.

The two led a crowded race weeks ago when final ballot counts revealed that 42 percent of voters supported Whitmire and 35 percent voted for Jackson Lee. Jackson Lee and Whitmire were quick to become headbutting contenders, rising to the top of a crowded field of mayoral candidates for their legislative experience and notable endorsements.

Their months-long heated race for the seat has stayed the subject of local and national headlines after their campaigns dished out thousand of dollars in advertisements and billboards.

Gilbert Garcia came in third place in the general election with 7.2 percent of the vote, and former city councilman Jack Christie followed with 6.9 percent of the vote.

The eight other races in the runoff are for city controller and seven of the 16 seats on the Houston City Council, including four of the five at-large positions. Here’s what else is on the runoff ballot.

Other races on the ballot

City controller – Former Harris County treasurer Orlando Sanchez against former Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins

District D – Incumbent Carolyn Evans-Shabazz against Travis McGee

District G – Incumbent Mary Nan Huffman against Houston attorney Tony Buzbee

District H – Mario Castillo against Cynthia Reyes Revilla

At-large position 1 – Julian Ramirez against Melanie Miles

At-large position 2 – Willie Davis against Nick Hellyar

At-large position 3 – Richard Cantu against Twila Carter

At-large position 4 – Letitia Plummer against Roy Morales

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Video: Omambala Cultural Association in Houston Celebrates Motherhood with Joyous Igbo-Inspired Mother’s Day Event

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May 11, 2025

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Omambala Association in Houston Celebrates Motherhood with Joyous Mother’s Day Event

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May 11, 2025

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HOUSTON, TEXAS – May 5, 2025 — The Omambala Cultural Association in Houston hosted a vibrant and heartfelt Mother’s Day celebration on Sunday evening at the Igbo Catholic Community Hall on Creekbend. The event brought together families and community members to honor the enduring strength, love, and sacrifices of mothers within the Igbo community.

Led by the association’s president, Ichelle Awkuzu, the Isaaka of Igboland, the gathering featured prayers, cultural music, dance, and speeches dedicated to celebrating motherhood. Awkuzu described the event as a moment of reflection and appreciation for mothers, emphasizing their central role in shaping families and preserving cultural values.

The association’s president, Ichelle Awkuzu, the Isaaka of Igboland, addressing the group.

 

Celebrants celebrate at the Omambala Cultural Association’s Mother’s Day celebration on Sunday evening at the Igbo Catholic Community Hall in Houston.

 

Celebrants

“Mothers are the heartbeat of our homes and the foundation of our culture,” Awkuzu said, urging attendees to honor and support mothers every day, not just on special occasions.

The celebration included lively performances of traditional Igbo music and dance, homemade meals prepared by members, and the presentation of thoughtful gifts to each mother in attendance. Vice President Chief Ugochukwu Chukwuka, known as Omemma Igbo, also delivered remarks, recognizing the vital role of mothers in nurturing future generations.

Photo from left_ Vice President of the group, Chief Ugochukwu Chukwuka – Omemma Igbo, and the President, Ichelle Awkuzu, the Isaaka of Igboland.

The evening was filled with laughter, music, and shared memories, reinforcing the communal spirit that defines the Omambala Cultural Association. Elders and youth alike participated in storytelling sessions and interactive cultural activities, creating a multigenerational experience that underscored the importance of preserving Igbo heritage. Several attendees expressed appreciation for the sense of belonging and cultural pride the event fostered.

The Omambala Cultural Association Inc. is a community-based organization representing people from the Old Anambra Local Government Area in Anambra State, Nigeria. It remains committed to promoting cultural education, unity, and socio-economic development for Igbo people in the diaspora and beyond.

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CABEF and City of Houston Bring “Beyond Borders” Forum to George R. Brown During OTC Week

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April 27, 2025

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Houston, TX (April 22nd, 2025) — As the city of Houston prepares for the highly anticipated return of the annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) next month, the Central African Business Energy Forum (CABEF), in partnership with the City of Houston, will engage business professionals and organizations from around the world in bilateral engagement for the advancement of global solutions in energy sector. The inaugural edition of CABEF’s “Beyond Borders” Forum will occur at the George R. Brown Convention Center (1001 Avenida De Las Americas) on Thursday, May 8th, in Downtown Houston.

Led by the organization’s chairwoman, Nathalie Lum, the forum’s theme will primarily focus on the concept of “Unlocking Africa – A New Era of Energy & Opportunity”. Furthermore, CABEF’s upcoming forum will merge business leaders and entrepreneurs from the public and private sectors, as well as investors and innovators across North America, Africa, and beyond.

Attendees can expect to gain more perspective on the untapped potential of Africa’s oil and gas industry, the ambitions and impact of the Central African Pipeline System Project (CAPS), bridging African and global energy ecosystems, and highlighting investment-ready opportunities in hydrocarbons, mining, and renewable energy sectors: central African Pipeline System CAPS, a CABEF program. The CAPS project represents a collaborative initiative by ECCAS countries to establish the first cross-border oil and gas pipeline network in Central Africa.

As an essential pillar of regional energy supply, this network will integrate various advanced infrastructures such as gas pipelines, fuel pipelines, pumping stations, LNG terminals, power plants, oil refineries, and storage depots. This vast infrastructure will unlock Central Africa’s energy and economic potential, opening up new growth and sustainable development prospects.

    After successfully hosting CABEF in various African nations — Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, and Chad- the upcoming forum marks the organization’s first major initiative in the United States. Endorsed by the City of Houston’s Mayor Pro Tem, Martha Castex-Tatum, the landmark international forum is designed “to foster crossborder partnerships, promote strategic investment and accelerate energy development across Africa.” According to the organization, this event marks a significant milestone in CABEF’s international expansion strategy and reflects “Houston’s pivotal role as a global energy capital.”

  With an anticipated attendance of over five hundred delegates (including investors, policy makers, CEOs, project developers, and stakeholders), participants will benefit from high-level discussions, networking opportunities, and presentations by key decision-makers, energy executives, and representatives from ECCAS (Economic Community of Central African States) countries.

 Ultimately, with the inception of the Houston forum, CABEF wants to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable growth and international cooperation in Africa’s energy space. “We are excited to bring CABEF to Houston, a city that represents innovation and global leadership in energy,” said CABEF General Secretary Pricila Behos. “This forum will bridge Africa’s emerging energy markets and international capital, expertise, and innovation.”

 To register for the upcoming CABEF “Beyond Borders” Houston 2025 Forum at George R. Brown Convention Center on May 8th, or to participate as an official partner or event vendor, please visit the organization’s official website online at www.WeAreCABEF.org/Houston2025, or email directly at contact@wearecabef.org.

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