OUR MISSION

Black woman at kitchen table with baby on lap, both looking at a laptop tablet

The mission of Houston Forward is

Equity Through Empowerment.

It’s that simple.

Whether in financial health or connectivity, civic engagement or housing, communities in need across Houston can make meaningful strides forward if they’re equipped with the tools to do so.

"H" hand signal being shown to camera by a black male youth

  • Having a bank account and banking relationships can facilitate households’ access to responsible, affordable credit. It can also save them from predatory expenses like those associated with payday loans and check cashing.

    A 2022 study found that up to 20% of minority households in the Houston area did not have access to bank account, compared to 1% in non-minority households. We’re aiming to close that gap.

  • Without Internet access, it is hard to participate in today’s society. That includes completing homework assignments, applying for jobs, working from home, staying up to date on news, and accessing bank accounts.

    A 2022 study found that up to 18% of minority households in the Houston area did not have access to Internet at home, compared to 6% in non-minority households. We’re aiming to close that gap.

  • In a well-functioning democracy, communities can empower themselves by first electing leaders who share their values and policy priorities, and then holding those leaders accountable for delivering on their promises.

    However, families struggling to make ends meet all too often don’t have the time or energy to focus on what’s happening in local government. In fact, it’s estimated that up to XXX% of eligible voters in Houston’s lower-income zip codes are not registered to vote (compared to YYY% in higher-income zip codes). Through our efforts, we plan to close that gap.