105: [REPLAY] Preserving Hispanic History with Mikaela Selley
Release Date: 09/23/2024
134: Festival Fun in Sugar Land
Spotlight Houston
Looking for a vibrant, family-friendly event in the Houston area this spring? In this episode of Spotlight Houston, host Blanca Quezada interviews Stacy Borgfeldt, co-founder of the Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation, about the highly anticipated 2025 Sugar Land Arts and Music Fest. Taking place April 26–27, 2025, at the Smart Financial Centre Plaza, the Sugar Land Arts and Music Fest brings together the best of visual arts, live music, local food, and cultural activities for all ages. This annual event is one of Fort Bend County’s most exciting spring festivals and showcases local talent...
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133: From Crisis to Confidence at HAWC
Spotlight Houston
What happens when someone finally says, “I need help”? In this episode of Spotlight Houston, host Blanca Quezada talks with Celinda Guerra from the Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC) about how they help people heal from domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking. HAWC provides free, private help for women, children, and men who are facing abuse. Celinda shares how their team offers emotional support, safe housing, legal aid, and more—so survivors can feel safe and move forward. HAWC offers 24/7 hotlines for domestic violence and sexual assault. Survivors can talk to trained...
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132: Travel Back to 1836 at the San Jacinto Battlefield
Spotlight Houston
What really happened during the 18-minute Battle of San Jacinto? In this episode of Spotlight Houston, host Blanca Quezada talks with David Avila, Director of Museum Operations at the San Jacinto Museum and Battlefield Association, to uncover the true story behind the battle that changed Texas forever. They explore how General Sam Houston’s Texian army surprised Santa Anna’s troops, the tough conditions of the battlefield, and the myths people still believe today. David also shares how the San Jacinto Monument was built during the Great Depression and the story behind the 220-ton, 35-foot...
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131 - Life-Saving Skills with the CPR and Safety Lady
Spotlight Houston
Would you know what to do if someone stopped breathing? In this episode of Spotlight Houston, host Blanca Quezada talks with Gail Gould, also known as the CPR and Safety Lady. Gail is a nationally certified CPR and first aid instructor who has spent more than 30 years teaching life-saving skills to over 10,000 people in Houston and beyond. Gail shares how she started her career in CPR training, why she’s so passionate about emergency response education, and how everyone—including kids, parents, teachers, and businesses—can benefit from learning CPR. She explains the key difference...
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130: The Mission to Cure Blood Cancer
Spotlight Houston
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Mission to Cure & Support In this episode of Spotlight Houston, host Blanca Quezada sits down with Tatyana Chowbay from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to talk about how the organization is fighting to cure blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Tatyana shares the history of LLS, her personal connection to the cause, and how LLS supports both patients and caregivers from diagnosis through treatment. They cover everything from common symptoms and subtypes of leukemia to what families should ask their doctors. Tatyana explains...
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129: Trailblazing Women of Houston’s History
Spotlight Houston
Did you know that Houston has a "Mother"—not just the Allen Brothers? Or that a woman was behind Houston’s first fully air-conditioned office building? In this special Women's History Month episode, historian Mister McKinney joins host Blanca Quezada to share the untold stories of 158 women who shaped Houston in business, law, medicine, arts, philanthropy, education, and more. From Charlotte Baldwin Allen, who donated land for the city’s first parks and schools, to Millie Esperson, who changed Houston’s skyline, these women’s contributions are everywhere—you just need to know where...
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128: Unforgettable Spring Break at Moody Gardens
Spotlight Houston
If you're looking for the perfect spring break destination, look no further than Moody Gardens in Galveston! With its three iconic glass pyramids, stunning tropical environments, and action-packed experiences, this Texas gem offers adventure for visitors of all ages. In this episode, Jared Schaller, Public Relations Manager for Moody Gardens, joins host Blanca Quezada to share everything you need to know about their exciting Spring Break offerings. From hands-on kids' camps, encounters with sloths and penguins, thrilling 4D experiences, the Art of Music exhibit, and an interactive underwater...
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127: Everything You Need to Know About Houston Rodeo 2025
Spotlight Houston
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo returns for its 93rd year in 2025, bringing world-class rodeo competitions, an impressive concert lineup, and tons of exciting activities for all ages. Beyond the action-packed events, the Houston Rodeo contributes significantly to Houston’s economy by awarding millions in scholarships to students, supporting local businesses, and preserving the region’s Texas agricultural heritage. In this episode, Danielle Grossman, Director of Strategic Communication for the Houston Rodeo, joins host Blanca Quezada to break down everything you need to know about the...
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126: How Push Up Foundation is Saving Lives
Spotlight Houston
Colon cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in both men and women—but it’s also one of the most preventable. With early detection, a simple colonoscopy could save your life. Yet, many people don’t realize screening should start at age 45. In this episode of Spotlight Houston, host Blanca Quezada talks with Keith Rollins, founder of the Push Up Foundation and a stage 3 colon cancer survivor. Keith shares his personal journey—from an unexpected checkup to life-saving treatment—and explains why spreading colon cancer awareness is his mission. The Push Up Foundation Houston is...
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125: Supporting Families Through Childhood Cancer
Spotlight Houston
A cancer diagnosis changes everything—families are thrown into a whirlwind of medical decisions, financial strain, and emotional turmoil. But they don’t have to go through it alone. In this episode of Spotlight Houston, host Blanca Quezada sits down with Alec Lloyd, Director of Development for B.I.G. Love Cancer Care. They discuss how this nonprofit is meeting the most urgent physical and financial needs of pediatric oncology and hematology patients. B.I.G. Love was founded in 2007 by a mother who experienced firsthand the challenges of having a child with cancer. Her daughter, Brooke, was...
info_outlinePreserving 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 historical newspapers accessible to researchers and the public.
Mikaela also shares captivating community stories found in these newspapers, from early feminist voices to unique perspectives on the Mexican Revolution. Beyond digitization, Mikaela discusses her role as an independent consultant, creating oral histories, cultural exhibits, and preserving heritage, emphasizing how important it is to maintain these stories for future generations.
Learn more at artepublicopress.com/recovery-program.
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