Perspective

Houston Community Media Expo celebrates inclusive story-telling and the role of trusted information sources

More than 200 communicators, journalists, advocates, and civic leaders gathered recently to recognize a growing effort to strengthen local communications and journalism across Houston’s many communities.

Organized by Houston Community Media (HCoM), a network founded in 2022 to promote inclusive, community-centered journalism, the inaugural Houston Community Media Expo focused on collaboration, cultural humility, and the power of representation. HCoM, which is supported by Houston Endowment, convenes outlets and communicators serving a multitude of audiences in a dozen languages — advancing its mission to ensure every Houstonian has access to relevant, trustworthy information.

Sandy Close, Executive Director of American Community Media, and Nakia Cooper, Director of Houston Community Media, underscored the importance of empowering communities through media. Community leaders, including Harris Health System CEO Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, emphasized the importance of local media specifically in shaping public perception and policy.

“While health policy may be decided and enacted at the regional or national level, we must recognize that trust is built locally — through familiar voices and languages, and with cultural humility,” he said. “When multicultural media outlets collaborate, they amplify trusted voices and bridge institutional gaps.”

Close hailed the event as a collective celebration of Greater Houston’s media ecosphere, recognizing the broad spectrum of outlets represented, including regional leaders Televisa-Univision/Telemundo-Houston, Houston Defender, Southern News Express, the Vietnam Post, Que Onda, Pakistan Chronicle, and niche providers such as Desi News TV, Korea Journal, La Esquina, and OutSmart.

A panel of 10 communications specialists spanning NGOs, advertising agencies, government, and business shared insights on reaching audiences and navigating the complexities of message delivery in a city as layered as Houston. Conversations highlighted the need for coordination across sectors and disciplines — a goal Houston Community Media is working to advance.
Since launching, HCoM has held monthly news briefings to address community-specific issues; coordinated reporting fellowships and joint editorial projects; piloted public awareness campaigns; and connected media outlets with nonprofits. For more information on American Community Media, visit https://americancommunitymedia.org/.