Summary

During an era of exclusion and housing discrimination, a Black couple welcomed a Chinese immigrant family as renters. Eighty-five years later, that family has publicly honored the couple’s courage and kindness—an act of remembrance that highlights shared struggles and the power of cross-racial solidarity. The story underscores how everyday choices—like opening your door—can ripple across generations.

Why This Matters

This deep dive into the food security crisis exposes racial and income inequality in our region. Communities of color and low-income households bear the greatest burden, and entire neighborhoods—like Greenspoint—are on the brink.

Save The Date:

Thursday, November 6, 2025

A celebration of gratitude and vision, Power Up: Impact of a Million brings together individual donors, corporate partners, community leaders, and alumni to mark a major moment in Compudopt’s history: reaching one million lives impacted.

The event will feature:

• Inspirational speakers and stories from community members, volunteers and staff
  
  

• A showcase of Compudopt’s journey and future vision
  
  

• Live entertainment, lunch, celebratory toast, and meaningful connection
  
  

• A giving moment to support The Next Million

Our unique program gives food-insecure families an opportunity to access unaffordable, better-for-you alternatives that drastically curb sugar, salt and fat intake. In communities where generational chronic health conditions are the norm, the Better Box is helping thousands take positive steps toward a more nutritious and sustainable lifestyle. Behind the scenes, our Direct-to-Need model leverages over 2,000 Wellfare volunteers and aligns procurement, warehousing, fulfillment, distribution and customer experience under one umbrella, making the program incredibly efficient, transparent and cost-effective. The Better Box is a dynamic and impactful first step in our long term aim to create true food security across the United States.

In one of the fastest-growing regions in Texas, affordable housing is increasingly out of reach for many working families. Habitat MCTX provides a pathway to homeownership through a model rooted in dignity, equity, and community partnership. Their approach reduces generational poverty, creates stability for families, and builds stronger neighborhoods from the ground up.

Why It Matters

In an era of rapid automation and shifting skill demands, evidence-based solutions are critical to ensure inclusive economic opportunity.

Alignment

The Institute’s data-centric approach complements The Change Lab’s focus on community-led solutions and systems change.

Role in Ecosystem

Acting as a knowledge hub, BGI translates big data into actionable insights for nonprofits, governments, and industry leaders.

This event is part of the planning phase for redeveloping Irvinton Village under the <strong>HUD Choice Neighborhoods initiative</strong>. The planning team—led by the Houston Housing Authority, in partnership with the City of Houston, LISC Houston, Avenue CDC, LRK—wants to hear directly from community members about priorities for housing, neighborhood needs, and opportunity.</p>

No decisions have been made yet—your voice will help shape the direction of the plan.

Access to capital and professional guidance is crucial but often limited for women of color. The Lab fills this gap by providing structured support, mentorship, and community—helping founders build confidence and early-stage traction for their ventures.

Engagement Level:
Empowered, Activated, Informed

Why It Matters:

• Expands housing access

• Models bipartisan civic engagement

• Prevents affordability crises

Key Programs:

• Zoning policy reform

• Legislative coalitions

• Public education campaigns

The Houston Food Bank (HFB) is the largest food bank in the United States by volume, distributing nearly 150 million nutritious meals annually to neighbors across 18 counties in Southeast Texas. But HFB is more than a food distribution center—it’s a hub for innovation, equity, and systemic change.

With over 90% of its food rescued from retail and commercial partners, HFB’s model is rooted in sustainability. Its logistics are world-class, but its strategy is people-first: linking food security with deeper investments in dignity, policy change, and long-term community well-being.

The Eviction Lab, founded by sociologist Matthew Desmond, is the first nationwide database of eviction records in the United States. But more than just a research initiative, it’s a powerful act of truth-telling — putting numbers to the reality that millions of Americans are pushed from their homes each year, often invisibly.

Webinar: 2025 State of Housing in Harris County and Houston
Tuesday, June 17, 10-11 a.m. | Presenting Sponsor: Wells Fargo 

Explore the latest findings from this year's State of Housing report, which will focus on long-term affordability challenges associated with disaster recovery and resilience. A panel discussion with experts James Elliott (Rice University), Elaine Morales-Díaz (Connective) and Jeremy Porter (First Street) will follow.