Houstonia Magazine • 5th May 2023

Up Close and Personal with Rockets Legend Kenny "The Jet" Smith

Widely known for his deft insight and perspective into the NBA—alongside co-hosts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Ernie Johnson—on TNT’s pre- and postgame Inside the NBA broadcasts, Kenny “the Jet” Smith is a true Renaissance man. In addition to winning two NBA championships with the Rockets, he’s enjoyed a successful run on television, dabbled in acting, and now can add published author to his resume.

We sat down with the very busy Smith in between tapings of Inside the NBA to discuss h

Houstonia Magazine • 24th February 2023

A Q&A with Houston Astros field reporter Julia Morales

Everyone has A DREAM JOB fantaSY. If you’re a diehard Astros fan, aside from actually playing for the World Series champs, that job might include sitting in the dugout and chatting with the players and coaches. Maybe you’d travel with the team, visit other ballparks around the country, and get front row seats to all the action. And, if your team is really good, like the Astros have been for the past few years, you’d get to celebrate alongside them as they win multiple championships. Oh, and sinc

Houstonia Magazine • 10th February 2023

Wade Phillips returns to Houston to Coach XFL's Roughnecks

If a team is only as good as its leader then the 2023 version of the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks ought to be pretty darn good. With a career spanning more than 40 years, native Texan and University of Houston alum, Wade Phillips, returns to his home state as both head coach and general manager of the new franchise. The new season marks Phillips’ return to pro football after leaving his post as defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams in 2019.

Following an almost three year hiatus, due to the

Houstonia Magazine • 8th December 2022

WNBA Star Brittney Griner Released Back to the United States

Brittney Griner has been released from prison as a result of a prisoner exchange agreement between the United States and Russia.

The world was taken by surprise when Russian authorities revealed they had arrested Houston-born Griner on drug charges earlier this year. The basketball player was traveling to Russia in February to play for the UMMC Ekaterinburg club team when she was arrested outside of the Sheremetyevo Airport. Authorities alleged that cannabis oil vape cartridges were found in he

Houstonia Magazine • 10th November 2022

PJ Tucker Will Open Flagship Sneaker Spot, The Better Generation, Nov. 12

The city of Houston has a unique ability to leave its mark on its past professional athletes; they just keep coming back. Houston Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, originally from New York, opened his sports bar, Biggio’s, in 2016. Former Houston Rocket James Harden opened his first upscale restaurant, Thirteen, in 2021, and now, PJ Tucker joins the list as his lifestyle brand The Better Generation (TBG) will open its first storefront in the Washington Corridor on Saturday.

The former Houston

Houstonia Magazine • 8th November 2022

Will Dusty Baker Stay With the Astros? We Now Have an Answer

For over 40 years, Dusty Baker has dedicated his life to baseball both on the diamond and in the dugout. Previously winning a World Series Championship with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981, Baker has now won his first ring as a manager of the Houston Astros, becoming the oldest manager to do so, at the age of 73. Now that the victory parade has come and gone, will he return to the Astros in 2023 in hopes of scoring back-to-back championship wins?

The answer is quite simple—yes! Baker won’t be g

Houstonia Magazine • 7th November 2022

Will Justin Verlander Leave the Houston Astros? Here's What We Know

Four-time American League Champions and now two-time World Series Champions, the Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday night to once again bring the Commissioner’s Trophy back to its rightful home in H-Town. The journey to become champions has been full of ups and downs for the organization, but more specifically for their star pitcher, Justin Verlander. Now that the boys at Minute Maid secured the win, we’re left with a very important question: will Verlander stay with the

Houstonia Magazine • 26th August 2022

UT Heisman Hopeful Bijan Robinson Unveils Own Mustard Brand

For years, there has been ongoing debate about whether college athletes should receive payment in exchange for their athletic ability—and for all of the revenue their sports generate for their universities—in addition to scholarships for post-secondary education. Amid this polarizing conversation, the NCAA waived long-standing rules barring athletes from receiving certain forms of compensation in July 2021. With NCAA athletes now free to trade profitably on their name, image, and likeness (NIL),

Essence • 18th April 2023

Meet Molo, Founder Of Houston’s Hot Spot KISS And The Selective Marketing Group

A new era of Houston is emerging post-pandemic with buzzing nightlife spots and exquisite dining experiences that attract vacationers and tourists alike. At the helm is the fearless CEO Molo, who is hastily conquering the promotions and entertainment industry.

Owner of the Selective Group, Playground, and KISS Restaurants, Molo conducts business in a male-dominated nightlife industry with elegance and unwavering determination while creating new and innovative entertainment spaces at her desk. T

Essence • 20th December 2022

Texas Children’s Hospital Announces New Mental Health Initiatives For Adolescent Patients

According to the CDC, major depression is among children’s most common health disorders. The Annie E. Casey Foundation found that the number of Texas children diagnosed with anxiety or depression increased by 23 percent between 2016 and 2020, from the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Texas Children’s Hospital hopes to change those alarming percentages. Recently, the nation’s largest children’s hospital raised more than $11 million to launch multiple community-based mental health initiatives

Essence • 12th December 2022

Taraji P. Henson Partners With Amazon To Launch AI Alexa Experience

Offscreen, Henson partnered with Amazon to launch the first-ever artificial intelligence traveler into space. NASA’s Artemis I mission will not have any human space passengers, but Alexa will be onboard the Orion spacecraft as it orbits the moon. This mission looks to set a precedent in more extraordinary efforts for Alexa to assist future crews, Star Trek style, and land the first woman, and woman of color, on the moon.

Black women have played an integral role in developing the National Aerona