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    Service Before Self

    Young Houston immigration attorney leads by altruistic example

    Megan Winkler
    Sep 26, 2016 | 1:00 pm
    Mariame Aana, Top Texans Under 30 2016
    Mariame Aana, supervising attorney for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
    Photo courtesy of Mariame Aana

    Editor’s note:This is the inaugural year for CultureMap’s Top Texans Under 30, a program that celebrates the twentysomething power players making a difference in their industries and communities across the Lone Star State — and, in some cases, the world. The full list is here. For now, read all about Mariame Aana.

    The power of connection fuels Mariame Aana’s work, whether she’s serving as supervising attorney for the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, mentoring others, or leading a team of volunteers. The 27-year-old Houstonian is the definition of an overachiever — she’s proficient in French, Spanish, and Arabic, and dabbles in Mandarin, plus she has a law degree and an MBA — but what makes her so special is she always finds ways to funnel that energy into helping others.

    Through her volunteer work in the semester after passing her New York bar exam — while she was waiting to take her Texas bar exam — Aana found her passion for immigration law. She credits the experience with providing the foundational skills to begin her practice in the sector.

    In her role at Catholic Charities, Aana oversees the St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance’s pro bono program, where she coordinates outreach efforts and pro bono work with other attorneys and legal caseworkers. The program provides assistance to legal permanent residents seeking citizenship, DACA applicants, unaccompanied refugee minors, and others in need of legal assistance.

    She took a few minutes out of her busy work schedule to chat with us about the things that inspire her.

    CultureMap: What inspires you to do what you do?

    Mariame Aana: My inspiration, secret weapon, and top influence on my life trajectory is my mom! From preschool onward, I was involved in her community service projects. She instilled in me the value that in obtaining or attaining a safe, secure, and stable life for yourself, “you have the opportunity to make a change, to make a positive impact, to make it a better world for you and the rest of the world.”

    CM: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other Texans trying to make a difference?

    MA: Understand and maximize the value you bring to the table, as well as where the need is in the marketplace — whether in the nonprofit world or elsewhere — in order to best position yourself to make an impact.

    CM: Sum up Texas in three words:

    MA: Storied, spirited, singular.

    CM: What’s one thing that people might not know about you?

    MA: One day, I hope to have my own bee farm! I’ve taken an introductory beekeeping class and purchased some starter materials. In the near future, I’d settle for one or two hives as soon as I find the time to care for them.

    CM: Finish this sentence: “It’s a good day when … ”

    MA: I’ve tackled the items on my to-do list that would otherwise keep me up at night if pushed to tomorrow. It’s a great day when I get a chance to take on challenges beyond deadline survival. It’s a perfect day when I have some downtime in between!

    ---

    RSVP now for the CultureMap Social: Top Texans Under 30 Edition, October 6 at Tootsies, to celebrate Aana and her fellow Houston winners.

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    economic news

    Texas slides down the list of best U.S. state economies for 2025

    Amber Heckler
    Jun 9, 2025 | 2:15 pm
    Hand of woman putting money in jar
    Getty Images
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    After riding high among the top five best state economies in 2024, Texas' robust economy may be showing some cracks. Texas now ranks as the state with the eighth best economy, four spots lower than last year's ranking, according to a new WalletHub report.

    WalletHub's experts ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 28 metrics to measure each state's economic activity and health and its "innovation potential."

    Massachusetts moved up two spots from last year to claim the No. 1 best state economy title for 2025, followed by Utah (No. 2) and Washington (No. 3). Texas was surpassed by No. 4-ranking California, as well as New Hampshire (No. 5), North Carolina (No. 6), and Idaho (No. 7).

    This is how Texas fared across the three major categories in the study:

    • No. 4 – Economic activity (down from No. 2)
    • No. 11 – Economic health (down from No. 7)
    • No. 24 – Innovation potential (unchanged)
    Texas ranked No. 1 with the most exports per capita in a three-way tie with Louisiana and Kentucky, the report found.
    The Lone Star State prides itself on its business-friendliness, and cities like Houston boast some of the most innovative companies in the nation. Texas also ranked 13th in WalletHub's separate study of the most and least innovative states for 2025.

    WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says the states that have the best economies are often those that invest in new businesses, technology, and more. The report also suggests low unemployment rates and high wages are among the many factors that can help Texas residents be successful while also boosting the state economy.

    "A strong state economy doesn’t guarantee success for the state’s residents, but it certainly makes financial success more attainable," Lupo said.

    The states with the worst economies in 2025, according to WalletHub, are Hawaii (No. 49), West Virginia (No. 50), and Iowa (No. 51).

    texaseconomyinnovationwallethubreports
    news/innovation
    series/top-texans-under-30-houston
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