Spotlight Houston

Spotlight Houston invites you to wind down your Thanksgiving week with our latest episode featuring host Blanca Quezada and producer Sandra Fernandez. In this post-Thanksgiving special, Blanca and Sandra reflect on their childhood memories, family traditions, and the unique ways they have incorporated Latino touches into the holiday. Blanca and Sandra delve into their holiday celebrations, offerin...

In this week's episode, Blanca Quezada sits down for a conversation with Stephanie Lewis, the Regional Director of the City Wide Club of America, and they delve into the community spirit that defines our city. We explore the rich history and diverse services offered by the City Wide Club of America. They provide everything from mentoring and financial education to practical support like warm meals...

In just 18 minutes, Texas won a battle that changed its history forever. After the devastating loss of The Alamo, Sam Houston led his troops to victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, securing Texas's independence from Mexico and creating the Republic of Texas. In this episode, we sit down with David Avila Jr., the director of the San Jacinto Museum & Battlefield. He takes us through the remarkable...

Join us for our newest episode of Spotlight Houston as we shine a light on ALMAAHH - Advocates of a Latino Museum of Cultural and Visual Arts & Archive Complex in Houston, Harris County. We sit down with Geraldina Interiano Wise, Co-Founder and Chair of ALMAAHH, to discover their mission of shaping the future of Latino arts and culture. In this interview, Geraldina, a talented artist from El Salva...

Join us for the premiere of Spotlight Houston's second season as we delve into the cultural richness of Houston. In this episode, our host, Blanca Quezada, sits down with Mauricio Navarro, the managing partner of Houston's 3rd Annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Parade and Festival. It's a fascinating cultural event that has deep roots in Mexican and Latin American traditions, and it's com...

What do you know about breast cancer? Did you know that through prevention, death rates can be reduced? October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! If you have ignored or put off getting checked, now's the time to do it! Dorothy Gibbons, CEO and Co-Founder of The Rose Center for Breast Health Excellence, takes the opportunity to discuss with Blanca Quezada why and how women need to be more proactive...

Who knew that years ago, Houston would have an enjoyable and unbelievably different place that would stand out in the downtown area? Now recognized as a city landmark, the Downtown Aquarium is one of Houston's great visitor locations. It's an incredible place to see because it's a magnificent six-acre entertainment and dining complex. Plus, who doesn't like aquariums? Wade Broussard, general manag...

Alley Theatre's Hubbard stage presents the production of "American Mariachi" in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, along with the support of its community initiative, "El Zocalo." Today, Blanca Quezada meets with Baldemar Rodriguez, Alley Theatre's manager of community partnerships, to discuss the upcoming production and "El Zocalo's" commitment to celebrate, grow, and interact with Houston's diver...

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Glassell School of Art opens an art exhibit from the lower southwest state of Oaxaca in Mexico. The exhibition Magical and Mystical Oaxaca: Celebrating Oaxacan Art and Culture showcases vibrantly colored diverse works of art in three installations. Valentina Atkinson, director of the Serrano Gallery and Serrano Oaxaca Gallery, shares with host Blanca...

When we hear the word dementia, sometimes the first thing we think of is Alzheimer's. Today, we'll discover what dementia means and learn more about what we need to know about Alzheimer's. Jorge Olvera, director of outreach with the Alzheimer's Association, Houston and Southeast Texas, joins host Blanca Quezada to clarify the differences between mental health diseases often called dementia or Alzh...

Houstonians are fortunate to have an incredible nature center situated close to downtown. The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is a beautiful gem that sometimes can be missed because of its location, but once you hear what it has to offer, you'll want to put it on your list of places to visit in the city. Christine Mansfield, senior manager of marketing and development of the Houston Arboretum...

Becoming an organ and tissue donor is something we can easily do, but for many of us, that's not something we even think about. It may seem like a scary thing to do, but when you're a registered donor, you will not only be giving hope to the person in need of a life-saving transplant but also to their families. Kevin Myer, LifeGift President and CEO, joins Blanca to discuss how we can give the inc...

Houston has an excellent Health Department with over 70 health resources and plenty of services and information for our community. Porfirio Villarreal, public information officer for the Houston Health Department, joins Blanca to explain how this dynamic city department's mission is to work in partnership with the community to promote and help to protect the health and social well-being of all Hou...

As a society, we tend to view aging people as "old people" that should sit at home and basically become invisible. What a mistake this is because they still have a lot to contribute. All they need is someone to recognize that they still exist. Fritz McDonald, president and founder of the Great Age Movement, has done just that. Listen to Fritz talk about why he's made it his mission to redefine "ol...

Houston is very fortunate to have so many diverse non-profit organizations that provide numerous types of assistance for everyone in need in our community. Still, there is one that helps to elevate their living conditions. Today, Jeff Taylor, Director of Operations of the Furniture Bank, sits with Blanca to discuss how his organization is unique and how they have been able to help thousands of peo...

Understanding the Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi at The New Eternal Gandhi Museum   Houston is set to open a new museum, Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston, to honor the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, a civil rights leader, as well as highlight other worldwide leaders who embraced peaceful means to make social changes. Even though the museum has yet to open, many leaders around the world have already recognized t...

Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of Houston's history with the one and only Mister McKinney! He's Houston's most amazing and fun historian and marketing director of The Heritage Society. He joins our host Blanca Quezada to discuss everything The Heritage Society offers visitors, including the historical homes that are beautiful collections on display at Sam Houston Park. As a passionat...

The 4th of July will be here before you know it so get ready to hear all the fun things to do with your friends or family at this year's City of Houston's official 4th of July event – Shell Freedom Over Houston." Susan Christian, director at the Mayor's Office of Special Events, joins Blanca to give everyone all the details of what's been planned for the event happening at Eleanor Tinsley and Sam...

In honor of Father's Day, award-winning author Alicia Araujo-Elatassi discusses her bilingual easy-to-read book Querido Papa (Dear Dad). This is a book written to assist dads in creating a strong, loving connection with their daughters as they grow into adulthood. Alicia shares her experiences and struggles with her dad, and what it took to achieve the exceptional loving relationship she now share...

In this episode be prepared to be astonished to hear about how trillions of microbes make their homes inside our bodies from Becky Seabrook senior director of communications and Ella Hohmann science communications specialist at The Health Museum. They will be discussing the museum's newest exhibit "The Zoo in You," that shows and teaches visitors of all ages to explore this fascinating and complex...

Join us in this captivating episode as we delve into the enchanting world of the Houston Ballet and shine a spotlight on their upcoming performance of the timeless love story Swan Lake. Prepare to be swept off your feet as we hear from the remarkable principal dancers, Yuriko Kajiya and Connor Walsh. They share their inspiring journeys, from their early aspirations to their current positions and t...

There is a marvelous place for kids and teens that provides diverse adventures and lots of fun year-round while at the same time giving them the opportunity to learn without even realizing that's happening – it's the Children's Museum Houston.  In this week's episode, Henry Yau, director of marketing and public relations at the Children's Museum Houston, provides us with the scoop on this amazing...

In this week's episode, our host Blanca Quezada sits down with the incredible Tiffany Cuellar Needham, the Executive Director of Teach for America Houston . Teach For America is on a mission to end educational inequity by finding, developing, and supporting a diverse network of leaders. They believe in the power of education and are dedicated to creating a nation where every student has access to...

May is Mental Health Month Learning About Mental Health with Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD  Mental health is an issue that sometimes is not discussed among families or friends for different reasons. It could be because of stigma, but it is a health issue that needs to be brought up so that care can be provided. No one should have to suffer alone. Help is available. In this week's episode...

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich traditions and contributions of Asians and Asian Americans. In this episode of Spotlight Houston Show, host Blanca Quezada interviews Stephanie Todd-Wong from Asia Society Texas about 31 ways to celebrate this special month and beyond. Stephanie highlights the various live programs and art tours Asia Society Texas offers. T...