Mayor Turner and Microsoft expand digital alliance with Houston

mayor turner

Microsoft Corporation Mayor Sylvester Turner announced on Monday that the city of Houston has expanded its groundbreaking digital alliance with Microsoft to innovate in big data, artificial intelligence and the digital economy. Microsoft brings to Houston “Accelerate,” a new program designed to address economic recovery through skilling both underserved communities and re-skilling the many Americans impacted by COVID-19. The collaboration is intended …

Northwest Houston nonprofits providing school supplies to families in need

Chevall Pryce Though the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the school year is still beginning soon and parents, some of whom have been laid off due to the virus, are looking for school supplies in addition to food and financial support. Multiple northwest Houston nonprofit groups are hosting events for families to receive free school supplies, including Cy-Fair Helping Hands, Northwest Assistance …

Mattress Mack tackles joblessness with workforce program, trade school

mattress mack

by Claire Goodman Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale is a prominent member of the community, known for his community outreach, philanthropy and of course, his desire to save you money. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to batter the local economy and increase joblessness, McIngvale has launched multiple new endeavors to get Fort Bend county residents back to work. What prompted you …

After months of economic woes in the Houston region, hints of a recovery

Sergio Chapa , Erin Douglas , Amanda Drane , Nancy Sarnoff , R.A. Schuetz , Dwight Silverman and Gwendolyn Wu Four months ago, the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the Houston region were just beginning to be felt, but signs of an unprecedented economic disaster were taking shape. In mid-March, when Houston Chronicle business reporters looked at the economic effect of the burgeoning pandemic, there were fewer than 100 new cases …

Microsoft and LinkedIn partner to help 25M workers gain digital skills

Macy Bayern Microsoft introduced its new global skills initiative to provide digital skills to more than 25 million people worldwide who have been displaced by the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement was made during a Microsoft digital event on Tuesday, shedding light on the significant impact COVID-19 has had on employment, as well as introducing a new learning app to Microsoft Teams. “People are contributing in new ways in …

A Houston teacher’s nonprofit feeds students, families while supporting local food trucks

Melissa Correa HOUSTON — When KHOU 11 first shared Sarah Watson’s story, the special education teacher for Yes Prep Public Schools was just one week into her new organization. She helped to create Feeding the Frontline HTX. The caption for the organization’s very first Instagram post on March 22 included a description of its mission: What are we aiming to do? …

H-E-B commits to largest pay increase in company history

Will Anderson H-E-B, one of the top two grocery store chains in the Houston area, has ended temporary pay hikes that went into effect near the start of the coronavirus crisis — but said it will replace them with permanent measures that amount to the largest pay increase in company history. In a June 22 announcement, San Antonio-based H-E-B said its “Texas …

‘Mattress Mack,’ Fort Bend County community leaders launch initiative to address unemployment

Claire Goodman Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, owner of Gallery Furniture, has created an employment resource center to help the jobless find meaningful employment in Fort Bend County. Joining his endeavor is a task force comprised of local leaders and philanthropies including Fort Bend County Judge KP George, Fort Bend County Precinct Four Commissioner Ken DeMerchant, Dr. Connie Almeida, director of …

Amanda McMillian takes helm at United Way of Greater Houston at dire time

Katherine Feser Amanda McMillian jumped right into her new role as president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Houston on May 1. McMillian, who most recently served as executive vice president and general counsel of Anadarko Petroleum Corp. prior to the company being purchased by Occidental Petroleum, oversaw the publicly traded exploration and production company’s legal, human resources, …

Houston teen uses chore money to help hundreds of needy families

HOUSTON, Texas — Food pantries and non-profit organizations have been working around the clock to help families, and one kid wanted to do his part. Kyle Garvis, an 8th grader from Houston, Texas, started helping Kids’ Meals Houston through his basketball team. The organization gets food to children who need it the most. But when the pandemic began, Kyle learned …

Survey: The jobs of at least 35% of Houston workers have been impacted by COVID-19

Gabriela Sánchez-Soto Many have lost jobs and many more have seen pay and hours cut during the pandemic. Industries that have been able to transition to work-from-home have been some of the least impacted. The coronavirus (COVID-19) has upended life in most of the country, and as cities and states issue social distancing and stay-at-home orders, millions of Americans have …