The late Congressman John Lewis believed that the continuous pursuit of freedom requires every one of us to do our part to create a more fair and just society.  

The case for justice remains the same, and we must continue working toward a future where everyone — irrespective of their race, ethnicity, or gender — has access to the same opportunities. 

This Black History Month — and throughout the year — we recognize that while systemic and racial injustices have disproportionately affected the lives of Black Americans, we honor the triumphs, adversity, and sacrifices they have made throughout history to provide a framework for other social movements to achieve progress. 

We also recognize the invaluable contributions Black Americans have made to the nation and celebrate the achievements of the nearly 1 million Black residents who call Harris County home. 

As we acknowledge the amount of work still yet to be done, we must also highlight progress. Harris County and Precinct 4 have made significant strides in advancing economic opportunity for our residents.  

Last year, minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) were awarded 27% of contract dollars with Harris County, a more than 200% increase from when the county’s M/WBE program started in 2020. 

Precinct 4 is currently convening Small Business Meetups to equip small businesses with tools to expand their operations and will host a series in April on how to do business with the County in partnership with the Harris County Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity (DEEO). We are also collaborating with Baker Ripley to host workshops to help business owners navigate Harris Hub, the DEEO’s technical assistance program. 

Our ACCESS Harris County program includes specific goals to improve black maternal health. We are pushing to reduce disparities in health outcomes for Black mothers and infants by connecting mothers with medical care and wraparound services to support them during and after their pregnancy.  

Together, we must continue working to address systemic inequities that have historically marginalized communities. Please share concerns and ideas to help shape the projects and services we deliver to better our communities. Join us at events and at our upcoming listening sessions across the Precinct. 

We also invite you, your family, and friends for a special celebration of Black History Month, at which we will hear from a distinguished panel of Black women who are at the forefront of progress in Harris County. Register for the Feb. 24 event by following this link, and be sure to join us at other events we will be hosting at our community centers throughout February. 

Stay updated on our newsroom page and subscribe to our newsletter for our upcoming series highlighting Black Americans and Black-owned businesses in Precinct 4. 

We thank Black Americans this month — and throughout the year — for enhancing the social, economic, and cultural fabric of our County and the country, and we reaffirm our commitment to advancing opportunity and justice for all.