KHB works to inspire and educate people to take action every day to improve and beautify our city. The Mayor’s Proud Partner Award recognizes the efforts of individuals, businesses, and community groups who work to enhance Houston's landscape through awareness, beautification, conservation, and environmental enhancement projects.
Celebrating Excellence at the 39th Annual Keep Houston Beautiful Mayor’s Proud Partners Awards
The 39th Annual Keep Houston Beautiful Mayor’s Proud Partners Awards Luncheon took place on November 21, 2024, at the historic Julia Ideson Building in downtown Houston. With its elegant architecture and rich history, the venue provided the perfect backdrop for an event celebrating outstanding efforts in beautifying Houston. The luncheon brought together community leaders, volunteers, and organizations dedicated to creating a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant city.
The event began with a warm welcome from Alan Steinberg, a Keep Houston Beautiful board member and the current Chair of the Houston Clean City Commission. Steinberg highlighted the importance of the awards in recognizing exceptional contributions to Houston's beautification and sustainability efforts and reflected on Keep Houston Beautiful’s 45-year history of inspiring pride and environmental stewardship across the city.
Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Castex-Tatum, captivated the audience with her inspiring words. She praised Keep Houston Beautiful’s legacy of empowering the community through environmental education and action. Highlighting this year’s award recipients, she noted their diverse projects—from neighborhood cleanups to innovative waste reduction initiatives—that exemplify the spirit of service and collaboration. Castex-Tatum emphasized the transformative impact of collective efforts, encouraging attendees to continue working together to build a cleaner, more connected Houston.
Mark Wilfalk, Director of the Solid Waste Management Department, shared his perspective on the critical role of community organizations in addressing Houston’s environmental challenges. He recounted examples of impactful partnerships, such as neighborhood cleanups and sustainability programs led by local schools and nonprofits. Wilfalk underscored the importance of these efforts in bridging gaps and inspiring pride among Houston residents. His remarks highlighted how the honorees' work strengthens the city’s resilience and fosters a sense of shared responsibility.
The regional nature of beautification efforts was brought into focus by Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones. She spoke about the importance of partnerships between the city, county, and community organizations in addressing challenges like litter and illegal dumping. Briones also shared updates on county beautification initiatives, including park upgrades and tree planting projects, which enhance residents' quality of life while attracting visitors to the area. Her remarks underscored the interconnectedness of Houston’s urban and suburban landscapes and the need for a coordinated approach to fostering a sustainable and vibrant region.
Clean City Commissioner Jason Smith took the stage to present the much-anticipated awards. He began with the 2024 Mayor’s Outstanding Proud Partner Award, which recognizes an individual or organization that has worked closely with the City of Houston to achieve significant environmental impact. This year’s recipient, the Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, demonstrated exceptional dedication to sustainability and community betterment. Their initiatives, including waste reduction and electronics recycling events, diverted significant amounts of materials from landfills while educating the community on responsible waste management. Their Sunnyside Neighborhood Clean-up and Earth Day projects further showcased their holistic approach to environmental stewardship.
Next, Smith announced the recipients of the 2024 Mayor’s Proud Partner Awards, which celebrate outstanding projects, organizations, and individuals based on public nominations and a thorough judging process.
The luncheon concluded with a reminder of the shared responsibility in creating a more beautiful Houston. Steinberg reflected on the interconnected challenges faced by the city and county, emphasizing the need for a regional approach to beautification and environmental stewardship. He urged attendees to draw inspiration from the honorees’ achievements and continue their efforts to make Houston a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant place to live, work, and visit.
The 39th Annual Keep Houston Beautiful Mayor’s Proud Partners Awards Luncheon was more than a celebration—it was a call to action. The event highlighted the profound impact of individual and collective efforts in shaping Houston’s future. From neighborhood cleanups to district-wide waste reduction programs, the honorees demonstrated that every contribution, no matter the scale, plays a vital role in improving the city’s environment and quality of life.
The event began with a warm welcome from Alan Steinberg, a Keep Houston Beautiful board member and the current Chair of the Houston Clean City Commission. Steinberg highlighted the importance of the awards in recognizing exceptional contributions to Houston's beautification and sustainability efforts and reflected on Keep Houston Beautiful’s 45-year history of inspiring pride and environmental stewardship across the city.
Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Castex-Tatum, captivated the audience with her inspiring words. She praised Keep Houston Beautiful’s legacy of empowering the community through environmental education and action. Highlighting this year’s award recipients, she noted their diverse projects—from neighborhood cleanups to innovative waste reduction initiatives—that exemplify the spirit of service and collaboration. Castex-Tatum emphasized the transformative impact of collective efforts, encouraging attendees to continue working together to build a cleaner, more connected Houston.
Mark Wilfalk, Director of the Solid Waste Management Department, shared his perspective on the critical role of community organizations in addressing Houston’s environmental challenges. He recounted examples of impactful partnerships, such as neighborhood cleanups and sustainability programs led by local schools and nonprofits. Wilfalk underscored the importance of these efforts in bridging gaps and inspiring pride among Houston residents. His remarks highlighted how the honorees' work strengthens the city’s resilience and fosters a sense of shared responsibility.
The regional nature of beautification efforts was brought into focus by Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones. She spoke about the importance of partnerships between the city, county, and community organizations in addressing challenges like litter and illegal dumping. Briones also shared updates on county beautification initiatives, including park upgrades and tree planting projects, which enhance residents' quality of life while attracting visitors to the area. Her remarks underscored the interconnectedness of Houston’s urban and suburban landscapes and the need for a coordinated approach to fostering a sustainable and vibrant region.
Clean City Commissioner Jason Smith took the stage to present the much-anticipated awards. He began with the 2024 Mayor’s Outstanding Proud Partner Award, which recognizes an individual or organization that has worked closely with the City of Houston to achieve significant environmental impact. This year’s recipient, the Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, demonstrated exceptional dedication to sustainability and community betterment. Their initiatives, including waste reduction and electronics recycling events, diverted significant amounts of materials from landfills while educating the community on responsible waste management. Their Sunnyside Neighborhood Clean-up and Earth Day projects further showcased their holistic approach to environmental stewardship.
Next, Smith announced the recipients of the 2024 Mayor’s Proud Partner Awards, which celebrate outstanding projects, organizations, and individuals based on public nominations and a thorough judging process.
- HISD’s Zero Waste Program: Spearheaded by Stephanie Walker of HISD’s Energy & Sustainability team, this initiative tackled waste management across 20 pilot campuses, collecting over 11,880 pounds of plastic and diverting an estimated 13,795 yards of waste per month from landfills. Beyond recycling, the program emphasized education, training over 260 staff members and students on sustainable practices. With partnerships from Tricon Energy, Cyclex, ExxonMobile, LyondellBasell, and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, the program exemplifies innovative leadership in fostering long-term cultural change within the district.
- District I Decontamination Unit (DIDU): A grassroots organization focused on community cleanups, DIDU has consistently delivered about 30 clean-ups each year, covering about 20 different locations, and mobilizing 150+ volunteers annually, targeting neglected areas across Houston. Their work, led by DIDU’s founder, Francisco Tijero, has revitalized public spaces, inspired local engagement, and demonstrated the power of volunteerism in addressing environmental challenges.
- Daniella Flanagan: This year’s individual award recipient was celebrated for her tireless efforts in advocating for and leading community cleanup projects. Her advocacy has driven impactful initiatives, such as the Fifth Ward Cancer Cluster summit, illegal dumping prevention, disaster recovery, and air monitoring projects. Daniella's leadership has mobilized volunteers, secured resources, and driven tangible improvements in Houston’s environment, setting an example for others to follow.
The luncheon concluded with a reminder of the shared responsibility in creating a more beautiful Houston. Steinberg reflected on the interconnected challenges faced by the city and county, emphasizing the need for a regional approach to beautification and environmental stewardship. He urged attendees to draw inspiration from the honorees’ achievements and continue their efforts to make Houston a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant place to live, work, and visit.
The 39th Annual Keep Houston Beautiful Mayor’s Proud Partners Awards Luncheon was more than a celebration—it was a call to action. The event highlighted the profound impact of individual and collective efforts in shaping Houston’s future. From neighborhood cleanups to district-wide waste reduction programs, the honorees demonstrated that every contribution, no matter the scale, plays a vital role in improving the city’s environment and quality of life.
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2024 Award Winners2024 Mayor’s Outstanding Proud Partner
Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority 2024 Mayor’s Proud Partner Award Winners HISD Zero Waste Program District I Decontamination Unit (DIDU) Daniella Flanagan |
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Photos from the 2024 Mayor's Proud Partner Awards Luncheon
Photos from the 2023 Mayor's Proud Partner Awards Luncheon
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