williams does it again

Tireless and generous Houston chef to feed 2,000 locals for Juneteenth event

Chris Williams is spreading the love again.

Photo by Jenn Duncan

Chris Williams is doing what he does: feed and give back.

Not long after his national news exposure (as CultureMap reported) for his work feeding frontline healthcare workers, as well as communities in need and school children amid the coronavirus pandemic over the past year, Williams is now helping nourish some 2,000 Houstonians for Juneteenth. (Saturday, June 19 from 11 am to 1 pm).

The chef and owner of the popular and acclaimed Museum District restaurant, Lucille’s, Williams is harnessing his nonprofit organization Lucille’s 1913 to assist the Emancipation Park Conservancy supply meals for the public at Emancipation Park (3018 Emancipation Ave.).

Expect a sumptuous, thematic Juneteenth meal, paying homage to Emancipation Park. Families can enjoy barbecue, watermelon, and red soda to honor their ancestors and bond over Southern traditions.

This is actually the second collaboration between the two organizations, a press release notes, following a holiday meal distribution event in December of 2020 in which 1,135 families were served with more than 5,000 meals.

Registration is required for the free meal and can be found here.

Williams played a pivotal role in Houston’s dining scene throughout the pandemic. He hosted President Joe Biden when he met with George Floyd’s family and established the Lucille's 1913 non-profit to feed needy Houstonians.

He also partnered with Top Chef contestant Dawn Burrell to open a new restaurant in The Ion, Rice University's innovation-focused mixed-use development.

charity holidays

Sobering statistic

Texas ranks as one of the deadliest states for New Year’s crashes

Courtesy

Be sure to arrange a safe ride home on New Year's Eve.

At more than 314,000 miles, Texas boasts the largest system of public roads among the 50 states. It also holds the unfortunate distinction of being one of the deadliest states for New Year’s car accidents.

An analysis of 2014-2023 traffic data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows Texas is the ninth worst state for traffic deaths on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

During the 10-year period covered by the analysis, commissioned by AutoAccident.com, Texas tallied 280 traffic deaths on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day — the highest total of any state. The 280-person toll in Texas works out to 9.61 deaths per one million residents, a rate that’s 37 percent above the national average of 6.99 deaths per one million residents.

The analysis reveals that nearly three-fourths (64 percent) of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day traffic deaths in Texas were drivers, nearly one-fifth (19 percent) were pedestrians, and 16 percent were passengers.

“New Year’s Eve is one of the most dangerous nights on American roads,” says Edward Smith, managing attorney at AutoAccident.com, a personal injury law firm.

“With impaired driving incidents spiking during holiday celebrations, every driver has a responsibility to make smart choices that protect themselves and others sharing the road,” Smith adds. “Even in states with strong safety records, one preventable death is too many.”

According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), more than 2,000 drunk driving-related crashes happened during the 2024 holiday season. Last year, December ranked as the No. 1 month in Texas for wrecks caused by drunk drivers.

“The holidays are a wonderful time to be with family, and yet they can also be a painful reminder for those who have lost loved ones to preventable crashes,” says Marc Williams, executive director of TxDOT. “Let’s make a new holiday tradition to drive like a Texan: kind, courteous, and safe. That means always getting a sober ride.”

TxDOT offers these four tips for staying safe on the roads as the calendar switches from 2025 to 2026:

Designate a sober driver before the celebrations start.
Ask a sober relative or friend to pick you up if you’re too tipsy to drive.
Use public transit or rideshare services.
Stay off the roads until you’ve sobered up.

traffic fatalities crime holidays new year's day new years eve traffic