International Focus Magazine Vol. 3, #5 | Page 12

seen on the scene

Houston Diversity Month at City Hall

Community leaders and volunteers representing local organizations such as the Asia Society , World Affairs Council , Sister Cities , the International Trade Development Council , ITC , The Alliance . org , AAMA , Foto Fest , Arts Houston , MECA , M . I . X ., Diverse Works , and many others gathered with city officials and Consuls at the kick off reception for Diversity Month held at City Hall on April 3 , 2018 . Refreshments were provided by Michele Bua of Bua ’ s Bistro and Market .
Honorary Chairs were HCC , HEB , Houston First , and Shell . Co-Chairs were James Lee , Noel Bizzette-Flores , Linda Toyota , and Desmond Bertrand Pitts . Graphic Design by Cydnei Holt from the Art Institute was selected by the City of Houston to be featured and can be seen at www . houstontx . gov / diversitymonth .
Representatives received a certificate of recognition from the Mayor ’ s Office of New Americans and Immigrant Communities . Mayor Sylvester Turner and staff arrived in excellent spirits and he seemed to be among friends as he delivered an inspiring speech to a packed room . Mayor Turner said , “ Over the last 25 years our city has evolved , it has grown ; it has matured ; it has developed in many ways , because people have come from all over the world . Now one in four Houstonians is foreign born , and over 145 different languages are spoken daily in our city . There is no single group that represents the majority in our city … we are a pluralistic society . If you want to lead in our city , you have to appeal to people across the board .” He paid tribute
10 12 iF Magazine | May 2018