Council Member Jackson, Mayor Turner to Announce Launch of Initiative

On Thursday, September 29, Council Member Tarsha Jackson, District B, and Mayor Sylvester Turner announced a new project to tackle poverty and public safety with a comprehensive, community-driven initiative.

Thirty-seven percent of households in District B earn less than $25,000 per year. District B also trails the City of Houston in education and homeownership.

The BeSuccessful Community Capacity Building Initiative is a comprehensive approach that will connect residents with the training, wraparound services and jobs they need with the companies and organizations that can meet those needs, while building up the community organizations already established in our neighborhoods.

BeSuccessful will transform District B by taking on five challenges: workforce development, public safety, community capacity building, economic development and quality of life.

Over the past several months, Council Member Jackson has met with corporations, government offices, community organizations, community and faith leaders, labor unions, educational institutions and nonprofits to forge partnerships that will be the foundation of BeSuccessful.

“The most pressing problem in District B is the lack of opportunities,”said Council Member Jackson.

“The best way to help our district thrive is by helping people get good jobs to raise their families, strengthen the community organizations that are already building up our communities, and connect our youth to mentors who they can relate to. I’m also excited about finding resources for our parks and bringing new businesses to buildings that have sat vacant for decades. It is an ambitious plan but ambition is exactly what is needed to move our district forward.”

BeSuccessful partners include: City of Houston, One Safe Houston, Houston Health Department, Amazon, Union Pacific, AFL-CIO, Houston Community College, Work Texas, Lonestar College, Astros Foundation, Community Works CDC, CM3, Houston In Action, Houston Metro, Green House International Church, Collection Action for Youth, Solid Waste Management Department, Anheuser-Busch, Meow Wolf, Destined for Empowerment CDC, Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, Harris County Precinct 1, Houston Endowment, Joseph's House, Launchpoint CDC, LISC and dozens more.