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89: Preserving Houston’s Hispanic History

Spotlight Houston

Release Date: 05/27/2024

112: 50 Days of Holidays at Galveston Island show art 112: 50 Days of Holidays at Galveston Island

Spotlight Houston

It's time to start your holiday plans, but where to go and how to celebrate the magic of the season? Well, you don't have to go very far to enjoy plenty of festivities for everyone. Galveston Island is offering plenty of amazing surprises to celebrate the season.   Start your holidays with a small-town feel at Galveston's beautiful Christmas tree lighting. Then, prepare to return to the Victorian era, past Charles Dicken's London, at Galveston's historic downtown. Mary Beth Basset, senior public relations manager with the Galveston Island Convention and Visitor Bureau, joins our host,...

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111: [REPLAY] The Life-Changing Power of Organ Donation show art 111: [REPLAY] The Life-Changing Power of Organ Donation

Spotlight Houston

Discover the life-saving impact of organ and tissue donation in this inspiring episode of Spotlight Houston! Blanca Quezada sits down with Kevin Myer, President and CEO of LifeGift, to discuss how saying “yes” to donation can give hope and second chances to those in need. Originally aired as Episode 52 on August 14, 2023, this episode dives into the myths, benefits, and steps to becoming a registered donor. To learn more about LifeGift, visit or call 713-523-4438. New episodes drop every Monday! Do you have an idea or feedback for us? We’d love to hear from you! Follow us on social...

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110: Houston’s Haunted Secrets – Ghost Tours and Paranormal Encounters show art 110: Houston’s Haunted Secrets – Ghost Tours and Paranormal Encounters

Spotlight Houston

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109: How Interfaith Ministries Serves Houston show art 109: How Interfaith Ministries Serves Houston

Spotlight Houston

In this episode of Spotlight Houston, host Blanca Quezada interviews Maria Magee, Chief Development Officer at Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston. This nonprofit organization has been serving the community for over 60 years.   Maria shares how Interfaith Ministries brings together people of diverse faiths and cultures to provide crucial services through programs like Meals on Wheels, which delivers more than 2 million meals each year to homebound seniors across Houston and Galveston. She also highlights the organization's Animeals program, which ensures seniors' pets are well cared...

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108: Fighting Breast Cancer with Susan G. Komen Foundation show art 108: Fighting Breast Cancer with Susan G. Komen Foundation

Spotlight Houston

In Episode 108 of , host Blanca Quezada spotlights the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a key player in the fight against breast cancer. We’re joined by Brandice Pierre, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast , and Hilary Ware, a breast cancer survivor and passionate volunteer. Brandice shares how Susan G. Komen Foundation helps patients and families through free screenings, financial assistance, and support programs. “Every two minutes, a woman in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer. And we know that one in eight women in the United States will face a breast cancer diagnosis in their...

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107: Celebrate Dia de Muertos at MECA show art 107: Celebrate Dia de Muertos at MECA

Spotlight Houston

Get ready for Houston’s most colorful celebration of life! In Episode 107 of Spotlight Houston, host Blanca Quezada chats with Luis Gavito, curator of MECA’s Dia de Muertos Ofrendas exhibition. They explore the vibrant events leading up to MECA’s 24th Annual Dia de Muertos Festival. Here’s what you can expect: October 12, 2024: Fun presentation at IKEA October 13, 2024: Monarchs and Marigolds at Houston Botanic Gardens October 14, 2024: Noche de Ofrenda at MECA – 30 stunning community altars November 1, 2024: Freaks Come Out Run Club at MECA November 1-2, 2024: 24th Annual Dia de...

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106: [REPLAY] Explore Houston’s History with Mister McKinney show art 106: [REPLAY] Explore Houston’s History with Mister McKinney

Spotlight Houston

In this special replay episode, we take a deep dive into Houston’s rich past with Mister McKinney, marketing director of The Heritage Society. Join host Blanca Quezada as they uncover stories about Houston’s historic homes at Sam Houston Park and the city's efforts to preserve its heritage. Key Highlights ·         Historical Homes of Sam Houston Park: Learn about the beautiful homes that have been saved from demolition and are now part of the Heritage Society’s collection. These homes serve as educational tools, offering a window into...

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105: [REPLAY] Preserving Hispanic History with Mikaela Selley show art 105: [REPLAY] Preserving Hispanic History with Mikaela Selley

Spotlight Houston

Preserving Hispanic History with Mikaela Selley   This week, Spotlight Houston replays one of our most fascinating episodes, originally aired as Episode 25 on January 29, 2023. Host Blanca Quezada sits down with Mikaela Selley, program manager for the Periodicals in the US-Mexico Region Project at Arte Público Press. Mikaela talks about her work with the Recovering the US Hispanic Literary Heritage Program, where she and her team are digitizing 200 newspapers from the 1800s-1950s along the US-Mexico border. Thanks to a special grant, they are building a website to make these rare and...

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104: Changing Lives Through Homeownership with Habitat for Humanity show art 104: Changing Lives Through Homeownership with Habitat for Humanity

Spotlight Houston

Owning a home feels out of reach for many families in low-income communities, but Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County is working hard to make that dream a reality. For over 35 years, this organization has been building not just homes but entire communities. In this episode, Vicki Johnson, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, joins host Blanca Quezada to share how their programs are making a lasting difference. Vicki explains how families in need can qualify for a home and how the process empowers them to build a brighter future. Habitat homes aren't just...

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103: Fiestas Patrias at Children’s Museum Houston show art 103: Fiestas Patrias at Children’s Museum Houston

Spotlight Houston

In episode 103 of Spotlight Houston, host Blanca Quezada sits down with Henry Yau, Vice President of Public Relations at the Children's Museum Houston, to talk about the vibrant festivities planned for Hispanic Heritage Month. Discover how the museum is celebrating this rich cultural event with activities like El Grito reenactments, mariachi performances, ballet folklórico, and hands-on fun like piñata-making. But that's not all! Henry also shares details about the museum's year-round attractions, including the fascinating Yalálag exhibit—a replica of a mountain village in Mexico—where...

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This week, host Blanca Quezada is joined by Dr. Jesse Esparza associate professor and interim chair of the department of history at Texas Southern University. His area of expertise is on the history of Latinos in the United States. He is also an award-winning author.

Dr. Esparza discusses the complexity of Latino people in Houston and the United States, how their traditions and cultures have made a difference in the patchwork of peoples that live in Houston and the county. Beginning with the misconception that if we speak Spanish or have a certain look, we are all Mexican.

Dr. Esparza also discusses the upcoming Bayou City History Harvest Day Event, which is devoted to recording and preserving the records of the community, including the Houston Police Department. Dr. Esparza is inviting people to bring their stories, photographs, newspaper clippings, and personal artifacts. Everything will be scanned, recorded, or photographed and returned to the owners. There will also be a film screening.

The Bayou City History Harvest Day is on Saturday, June 1st, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Leonel J. Castillo Community Center on 2101 South St., 77009.  For more information, contact Carlos Cantu and Jesse Esparza at [email protected].