Houston Daily

Leadership Houston has announced that Class XLIII will present their 2025 project, "Seats of History: A Tribute to Houston’s Wards Through Art," at Johnny Goyen Park on May 30, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

According to Leadership Houston, the project features six painted benches created by students from Houston’s Six Ward neighborhoods and muralist EMPYRE. These benches are intended to symbolize the community by reflecting the history and stories of each ward through artwork inspired by local youth. The installation aims to connect Houston’s past and future while encouraging public engagement.

The unveiling event will include participants from Class 43, Leadership Houston alumni, elected officials, and youth contributors. The benches will be installed along Buffalo Bayou, offering views of the Houston skyline. Leadership Houston advises attendees to park nearby at 111 Milam Street, Metropolis parking, or street parking near McIntyre’s Downtown and cross the bayou to reach the park.

On May 2, Class XLIII concluded its 2024-2025 year with a focus on Houston's creative economy. This included fields such as architecture, design, fashion, culinary arts, and the arts. Fellows took a trip on the Houston METRO Rail along Main Street to explore cultural districts and learn about the creative sector’s economic role in the city. The session was guided by speakers Kimberly Phipps-Nichol and Caveh Masum (Class XL), both Leadership Houston alumni. Hosts for this event included Architecture Center Houston, David Cordua (Class XXVIII), The Lymbar, and The Ensemble Theatre Houston.

Leadership Houston was established in 1982 with the aim of uniting leaders from diverse communities in Houston to promote dialogue and collaboration aimed at improving the city’s quality of life. According to Leadership Houston, it was created to raise awareness of civic issues and encourage greater community involvement among leaders. Founded by a steering committee of volunteers from the Houston Chamber of Commerce alongside executives from various industries including energy, real estate, and public policy, Leadership Houston operates as a tax-exempt nonprofit under section 501(c)(3), allowing it to accept tax-deductible charitable contributions. Its headquarters are located in Houston, Texas.