Third and Fifth Wards get Census Star Treatment

Collaborative efforts to boost visibility and forward momentum of Census 2020 brought two high profile census events to traditionally under-counted Houston communities in July.

The walls of the S.H.A.P.E Community Center in Third Ward got a new splash of color with the debut of a “Yes! To Census 2020” mural on July 14.

The mural, created by artist Israel McCloud, depicts a picture-perfect snapshot portrait of the diversity of residents in the Third Ward with the local Census 2020 campaign hashtag #YEStotheCensus.

Houston-based UP Art Studio facilitated all of the Yes! to Census 2020 mural installations. Previously unveiled murals are in Montrose, Gulfton, Alief and Aldine, all of which tell a story through art that the census is vitally important to the future of traditionally undercounted and culturally diverse communities.

Watch the HTV video about the Census mural, and watch District D Council Member Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz sing her original census song.

Following the latest pandemic safety-conscious car parade trend, more than 80 cars festooned with streamers, balloons, tassels, and posters, cruised through the residential streets near the Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center, 4014 Market Street, on July 18. Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, City Council Member Sallie Alcorn, and Planning and Development Department Director Margaret Wallace Brown were in attendance to encourage residents to complete the census.

The goal of the Yes! to Census 2020 campaign is to educate all citizens of Houston and Harris County about how a 100% response rate makes a positive difference to their quality of life. Complete the census before September 30 at www.2020census.gov or call
844-330-2020 to fill out your response today.

Applauding the census mural were (from left) Deloyd T. Parker Jr., co-founder and executive director of the S.H.A.P.E Community Center, Urennaya Unaka,  District D Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Beaux-Maddox Smith, and artist Israel McCloud.