Party Watch

Houston community champions honored at Urban League's 50th anniversary gala

Venora Goodie and Eric Goodie

Grady Carter

What:Houston Area Urban League 50th Anniversary Equal Opportunity Gala

Where: Hilton Americas

The Scoop: More than 1,000 guests joined gala co-chairs John Mingé, Calvin C. Guidry, and honorary chair mayor Sylvester Turner at the Houston Area Urban League’s annual Equal Opportunity Day Gala - “Honoring Our Past … Impacting Our Present…Shaping Our Future.” The sold-out gala served as a power-packed backdrop for the organization’s 50th anniversary of serving Houston’s underserved and disadvantaged. The unforgettable evening raised more than $1 million to continue the Urban League’s work in the Houston community for the next 50 years and beyond. The crowd was serenaded by Regina Belle andnational recording artists Ruben Studdard, Chris Walker, and Emmy-award-winning producer Ernest Walker and the Ernest Walker Band.

KPRC’s Khambrel Marshall emceed the evening that honored the Urban League’s half century of service to Houston and culminated in recognizing three outstanding community contributors and leaders for their tireless work and efforts to improve the lives they touch. The recipients were Dr. Ruth Simmons, president of Prairie View A&M University - Honoring our Past Legacy Award Recipient; Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, Impacting our Present Living Legend Award Recipient; and Roynell Young, Founder/CEO Pro Vision Academy - Shaping Our Future Empowerment Award Recipient.

Who: Dr. Ruth Simmons, Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, Roynell Young, Susan Dio, Linda Padon, Richard Campo, Scott Schwinger, Jerry Martin, Judson Robinson, III, Peter and Joanne Linden, Iris Cross, Winell and Doug Herron, Terry and Joycelyn Williams, James and Shavonda Harris, Krystn Page, A. Martin Wickliff, Jr., Ryan Colburn, Byron C. Stevenson, Don G. Hudson, Donald Bowers, Doug Coughlin, Ernest Peeples, Gilda Ramirez, Herman Burroughs, Jasmine Turner, Karen Hofmeister, Kerrick Henny, Laurie Vignaud, Marian Harper, Marilyn Boss, Marina Coryat, Michelle Lev,Morris Smith, Pamela McKay, Ralph D. West,Sherman Lewis II, Spring Williams Cox, Terry W. Roberson, Victor Lofton, Walter Strickland,Yolanda Green Barnes .

John Minge, Mayor Turner, Joanne & Peter Linden, Jerry Martin, Judson Robinson, and Calvin Guidry

John Minge, Mayor Turner, Joanne & Peter Linden, Jerry Martin, Judson Robinson, Calvin Guidry

Grady Carter

John Minge, Mayor Turner, Joanne & Peter Linden, Jerry Martin, Judson Robinson, and Calvin Guidry

galas fundraisers

Time to Tailgate

Houston sports fans score great food and fun at CultureMap's Tailgate

Photo by Daniel Fernandez

Chris Lueking, Bailey Murphy

It's rare to get a Houston evening with low humidity, crisp air, and cool breezes, but the stars aligned for The Tailgate presented by Verizon, CultureMap's third annual signature event, on November 11. The weather was absolutely perfect.

Held at 8th Wonder Brewing, the (mostly) outdoor event offered about 500 guests plenty of space to mingle, eat, and enjoy the laid-back vibe of sports-themed fun. Houston pride shone brightly with attendees donning their best Astros, Texans, Rockets, and Dynamo gear.

VIP admission gave guests access to a special meet-and-greet with two of the Houston Texans' most popular alumni — defensive stars Brian Cushing and Travis Johnson, courtesy of presenting sponsor Verizon. The players handed out their autographs and snapped photos with fans to kick off the evening.

Of course, no tailgate is complete without delicious food. Guests gobbled up generous samples from some of Houston's favorite restaurants, including:

Adobo beef tacos from 1891 American Eatery & Bar
White wings, gold fever wings, crawdaddy and mango habanero wings, and signature onion rings from Big City Wings
Comfort Foodies' signature empanadas in four flavors: oxtail, beef and cheese, chicken and cheese, and spinach and cheese
Shrimp ceviche shooters and brisket on a croissant from The Halal Guys
St. Louis ribs with Comeback Sauce from Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition
Spicy and regular Layne's chicken fingers with dipping sauce
Smoked salmon handroll from Kokoro
Loro's smoked brisket tostadas with shishito salsa
Ramen Frito pie from Ramen Tatsu-Ya
Lobster rolls, corn and crab bisque, lobster bisque, and whoopie pies from Mainely Sandwiches
Smoked pulled pork bahn mi pizza from Pizarro's Pizza
House made bratwurst on a challah roll with sauerkraut and amber ale mustard from Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Jerk lamb chops from Southern Jerks
Spicy ranch wings from Taste Kitchen + Bar
Laab chicken sandwiches with tortilla chips from Thai Tail
The Waffle Bus' Hot Mess Fries: seasoned waffle fries topped with spicy buttermilk fried chicken bites, white cheddar mac and cheese, and Thunder Sauce
72-hour sous vide wagyu short rib from Uchi
Wagyu meatballs and edamame fritters from Uchiko Houston

With virtually no wait time for drinks, the bars served up signature cocktails by Jameson Irish Whiskey and Weber Ranch Vodka. Guests sipped memorable espresso martinis made with Shipley Do-Nuts cold brew, along with THC seltzers from Howdy and 8th Wonder beers.

Big City Wings beat out 15 other competitors in a bracket-style tournament to take home the title as winner of the Ultimate Wing Showdown. And The Waffle Bus scored a repeat win as attendees' favorite dish of the night; they also took home the title in 2023.

Sponsor East River 9 offered more delicious food at their booth.

Local sports organizations were well represented, with the Texans raffling off a coveted CJ Stroud-signed White Panel Football. The Astros showed off their Shooting Stars dancers, plus the 2017 and 2022 World Series Trophies. And Houston soccer stars the Dynamo and Dash raffled off team-signed jerseys.

Julia Morales showcased with her custom apparel line, Shop Baseball, Y'all. Attendees could also shop the great apparel selection from Mizzen + Main.

No sports-themed event would be complete without some friendly competition and awards to take home. Guests could putt putt for prizes, courtesy of Holey Moley. And the night wound down with a spirited kolache-eating contest sponsored by Shipley Do-Nuts; the lucky winner received free doughnuts for a year.

At the end of the night, there was only one complaint to be made for The Tailgate: It had to come to an end for another season.

The Tailgate was presented by Verizon and sponsored by 8th Wonder, HOWDY, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Houston Powder Coaters, Holey Moley Golf Club, Mizzen + Main, Shipley Do-nuts, and East River 9.

Photo by Daniel Fernandez

Chris Lueking, Bailey Murphy

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