General

My mom almost died, but Roe v. Wade saved her life

The Hypocrisy of The ‘Right to Life’ Argument in Texas

‘Enough is Enough’: Hundreds march for gun safety laws

‘We won’t remain silenced.’ Five Houston youth on school gun violence

We’ve had enough. We demand gun reform.

We won’t see the protection against gun violence unless we make our voices heard.

Aris Kian - In Texas We Pop Prayers like Pills

“... we know the rhythm of decorum, Abbott licking the blood from his palms before the press calls.”

Houston’s Climate Coalitions Stand in Solidarity with the Karankawas

Communities are retaliating against Enbridge’s proposed oil export terminal on Corpus Christi’s coast.

City Council approves over $1 billion budget for Houston Police Department without proper public engagement

Despite public pressure, Houston’s city council sides with Mayor Sylvester Turner.

University of Houston Student Body Divestment Resolution Continues to Gain Traction

A student body resolution urging the University of Houston to divest from war profiteering heads to a vote.

Student Coalition Urges University of Houston to Divest From War Profiteers

University of Houston students want the school to stop profiting from militarization.

The Sleeping Shrimp: The Origins of the Latinx Political Mindset

"Camarón que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente."

“In The Sun” Uplifts Stories of Oppressed Peoples Amidst Institutional Erasure

The exhibit has drawn attention to the lived experiences of oppressed peoples.

Malaika Bergner - "Eviction in Heaven"

Aris Kian - "my grandmother say, inside or outside"

Houston Youth Organize Protest in Solidarity with Palestine

Thousands in Houston attended a youth-led protest in solidarity with Palestinians facing ongoing violence from the Zionist Israeli state.

Outgoing Director of Education Juliet Stipeche Reflects on Career with Youth (Part 4/4)

Houston Mayor’s Office of Education Director Juliet Stipeche has stepped down from her position. Jazmin Alvarez and Opeyemi Ogundele recently spoke with Stipeche as she reflected on her over five years of service.

Outgoing Director of Education Juliet Stipeche Reflects on Career with Youth (Part 3/4)

Houston Mayor’s Office of Education Director Juliet Stipeche has stepped down from her position. Jazmin Alvarez and Opeyemi Ogundele recently spoke with Stipeche as she reflected on her over five years of service.

Outgoing Director of Education Juliet Stipeche Reflects on Career with Youth (Part 2/4)

Houston Mayor’s Office of Education Director Juliet Stipeche has stepped down from her position. Jazmin Alvarez and Opeyemi Ogundele recently spoke with Stipeche as she reflected on her over five years of service.

Outgoing Director of Education Juliet Stipeche Reflects on Career with Youth (Part 1/4)

Houston Mayor’s Office of Education Director Juliet Stipeche has stepped down from her position. Jazmin Alvarez and Opeyemi Ogundele recently spoke with Stipeche as she reflected on her over five years of service.

The Time Warp: A Story About Covid-19 & Teenagers

The past year has distorted our memories.

Skinfolk ain't kinfolk: representation won’t save us

The performance of diversity does not create material gains for minoritized people.

‘No justice, no sleep’: Houston youth advocate for climate justice

Sunrise Houston won’t let politicians rest until the local Climate Action Plan is executed and the national Green New Deal is passed.

Competitive sports perpetuate the U.S. grind narrative

Designing competitive sports to encourage severe training at the cost of other human development secures a capitalist economy and sustains inequality.

Dear HISD: Fund counselors, not cops

Divesting from school police is the clear solution to many of our challenges.

Texas exploits imprisoned people

More people are discussing abolition in Texas, but it's hard to ignore the state’s history of exploiting imprisoned people.

Pain and Perseverance in Fifth Ward

We all have to remember that the misery of the pandemic will come to an end, and better times will one day fall on us again.

Young people can’t move justice without a bus

Houston’s ineffective public transit system makes youth activism difficult.

Resources for Houston refugee youth strained by COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 has forced the Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees to dramatically scale back many of its direct service programs.

“My disdain for Trump is in no way an endorsement of President-Elect Biden.” | 2020 Election Vibe Check

I was more satisfied with the former’s loss than the latter’s win.

“I’m not eligible to vote until 2021. I’m worried.” | 2020 Election Vibe Check

"It’s terrifying to watch Republican leaders use every trick up their sleeves to keep Texas a Republican stronghold, despite deep-blue urban centers like Houston."

Is The Houston Police Department Dodging Reform?

Despite police brutality, uprisings, and reform efforts in 2020, little has changed within the Houston Police Department.

Shift Press Accepting Story Pitches

All Greater Houston-area folks aged 14-24 are invited to share COVID-19 stories.

Institute of Engagement Launches Shift Press Fellowship Application

The Institute of Engagement launched applications for the Shift Press Fellowship, an online, 10-week paid fellowship for eight Greater Houston-area youth to develop journalistic and critical thinking skills.

Community Health Education Fellows (CHEFS)

Jeevandeep Kaur

Jeevandeep Kaur is a 21 year old CHEF representing the Brays Oaks neighborhood as a CHEF. We interviewed Jeevandeep about her experience in the pandemic as a community health worker. Below is a brief transcript of our conversation.

Allison Moore is a 23 year old childcare worker and CHEF representing the Sunnyside neighborhood. We interviewed Allison about her experience as a community health worker during the pandemic. Below is a brief transcript of our conversation.

Eligio Cisneros

Eligio is a 22 year old and recent graduate of Texas A&M, where he studied environmental science. As a CHEF, he is serving the Denver Harbor community. We interviewed Eligio about his experience in the pandemic and as a CHEF. Below is a brief transcript of our conversation.

Grace Danas is an 18 year old high school graduate representing the Pleasantville neighborhood as a CHEF. We interviewed Grace about her experience in the pandemic as a community health worker. Below is a brief transcript of our conversation.

Julia is a 19 year-old pharmacy technician and college sophomore representing the Gulf crest/Belfort/Reveille neighborhood. We interviewed Julia about her perceptions of the pandemic and experience as a CHEF. Below is a brief transcript of our conversation.

Fanesse is a 20 year-old student of Prairie View A&M University serving the Alief community. We interviewed Fanesse about her perceptions of the pandemic and experience as a CHEF. Below is an edited transcript of our conversation.

Marlen is a 25-year old mother of twins representing the Acres Homes neighborhood in the first cohort of CHEFs. We interviewed Marlen about her perceptions of the pandemic and her experiences as a CHEF. Below is a transcript of our conversation.

Community Health Education Fellows (CHEFs)

Eleven City of Houston youth are doing their part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our most affected neighborhoods.