In this week’s Our Town, we take you to Houston’s Near Northside, just a stone’s throw from downtown, where rapid development is reshaping a historic community. New apartments, new businesses, and increased attention are transforming the area surrounding White Oak Music Hall.

In Houston’s Fifth Ward, history isn’t just remembered — it’s lived. For generations, the neighborhood has been built on faith, family and fierce community pride. It’s also the place that helped shape champions and changemakers like George Foreman, Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland. But alongside that proud history, the community now faces a modern-day challenge: the loss of affordable housing.

In this week’s Our Town, we head to Channelview — a close-knit community surrounded by petrochemical plants and the environmental pressures that often come with them.

At Sylvan Rodriguez Elementary in Gulfton, fifth-grade math teacher Christian Ramos is doing more than teaching equations — he’s teaching his students to believe in what’s possible. “I can help them see that their effort matters,” Ramos said. “No matter the circumstances they’re facing, they’re capable of doing amazing things.”

Once known as “The Garden City of the South,” Acres Homes was built on self-sufficiency—a place where Black families could own land, raise livestock, and grow enough vegetables to feed entire blocks from their backyard gardens. It was a community rooted in hard work, generosity, and pride.

As families prepare for Thanksgiving, organizers in Independence Heights say the need this year is greater than they’ve seen in a long time. On Saturday, a steady stream of cars stretched through the neighborhood as volunteers worked to make sure no one went without a holiday meal.

Nestled just outside of Houston lies Kendleton — one of the first U.S. towns founded by freed slaves. Rooted in history, this tight-knit community has weathered time’s passage, holding fast to the spirit that shaped it.

On the streets of Acres Homes, the signs of illegal dumping are impossible to ignore — piles of discarded furniture, bursting bags of rotting food, and clothing strewn across empty lots. For the residents who call this historic neighborhood home, it’s more than just an eyesore.

Westbury is on the rise, transforming from a neighborhood once in decline to a vibrant community hub.

In this edition of Our Town, we’re heading to Houston’s historic Third Ward, where a simple Friday morning walk is quietly becoming a powerful force for change.

The Harrisburg Hike and Bike Trail is more than just a path—it's a lifeline for the Second Ward community.

In the heart of Montrose, a small team of mentors is creating big change—one young life at a time.

Acres Homes, a neighborhood deeply rooted in Houston’s history and culture, is getting a major boost in health care access.

Nestled near the heart of Houston, Independence Heights carries a history as rich as its roots-built by resilience, strengthened by faith, and held together by a community determined to hold onto it’s identity and preserve its legacy.

The Kashmere Gardens Multi-Service Center, designated as Houston's first resilience hub in 2023, provides disaster preparedness training and serves as a shelter during emergencies.

Melanie Young reactivated the Sunnyside Super Neighborhood to foster community engagement, unexpectedly drawing significant interest.

Melanie Young says she had to do something to make sure the community’s voices are heard and their needs are met. That something was reactivating the super neighborhood, a framework that allows civic clubs to organize, and address pressing local issues.

🌧️🏞️ Good news for families living along White Oak Bayou! The City of Houston and Harris County Flood Control District are teaming up to construct a Detention Basin on the former Inwood Forest golf course. This basin will temporarily hold back water during flooding events, reducing the risk of flooding in nearby neighborhoods. These flood mitigation projects are a big step towards protecting our homes and businesses from the kind of damage experienced during Hurricane Harvey. 💪🏠 #FloodPrevention #HoustonStrong #ProtectingOurCommunity 🌊🚫

Food Insecurity is a fact of life for more than 500,000 Houstonians, many of whom live in Acres Homes.

Check out Houston's iconic bus route #44, also known as the "fo-fo"! This route holds a special place in the city's rap culture and community. Join us on a virtual ride through Acres Home and experience the ever-changing beauty of this historic neighborhood. 🚌🎶 #HoustonMetro #Route44 #AcresHome #CommunityPride

The award-winning artist says, "I’m just so grateful to be from Acres Homes, and to put that neighborhood, and the city on the map.” He even sang us a little tune! Check it out 🎵🏡 #OurTown #AcresHomes #Houston #GrammyAwards #ZacardiCortez #Gospel

Our Town: KPRC 2 gifts mural by Ace Phoenix to Acres Homes community

In KPRC 2′s ‘Our Town’ coverage of Acres Homes we are looking at the health issues many people in the area have to deal with. Health reporter Haley Hernandez explains the struggles and unique effort to bring change. Despite being home to the largest medical center in the world Houston has healthcare desserts all around us. People in communities like Acres Homes, don’t have access to basic health information.

“This is a great opportunity to play baseball in the summer. We always like to say we try to give kids at bat,” academy director Wade Daryl said.

Check out the mouthwatering BBQ at Burns Original BBQ in Acres Homes! This hidden gem has gained worldwide attention for its flavorful smoked meats and signature sauce. Their menu also includes chips, sauce, and even drinks. And the best part? Burns BBQ gives back to the community by donating scholarships and cooking up free meals. #BBQ #Houston #AcresHomes #BurnsOriginalBBQ

Houston is ‘Our Town,’ and there is so much to celebrate in our neighborhoods. KPRC 2 is invested in the community and continues to show those lovely hidden gems, showcase solvable problems affecting the entire city, and talk to the folks who make ‘Our Town’ special.

This year’s Juneteenth parade will be held on June 15, at 10 a.m. first kicking off at the Acres Home Multi-Purpose Center on W Montgomery Rd. and conclude at the iconic Greater Zion Missionary Church.

Check out the rich history and ongoing struggles of Acres Homes, a historic African American community in Houston. From its early days as a rare opportunity for African American families to own substantial acreage to its current challenges of inequality and limited city services, Acres Homes has a story that deserves to be heard. #AcresHomes #HoustonCommunity #EqualityMatters

Join us for the ‘Our Town’ Acres Homes Resource Fair on May 15, a free event offering a wide range of resources and assistance to residents in Acres Homes and its neighboring areas. This community-focused event aims to highlight the remarkable businesses, organizations, and community initiatives thriving in this historic neighborhood in Houston. Representatives from sectors such as healthcare, finance, education, pet care, and local organizations will be present to provide valuable information and support.

Houstonians are proud individuals who take pride in the city’s rich culture and delectable cuisines. In the heart of this sprawling metropolis, ‘Our Town’ shines as a beacon of communal spirit and shared identity.

Check out the rich history and legacy of Poindexter Dental, a historical landmark in the Sunnyside Houston community! For over 68 years, three generations of Black dental professionals have been providing top-notch dental care. From crowns and bridges to orthodontics and surgeries, they offer a full range of services. Proud to be a part of the Sunnyside community! #Sunnyside #HistoricalLandmark #Legacy #DentalCare

Part of our mission for ‘Our Town’ is to look into what people are dealing with in their neighborhood. Just like other parts of Houston the Sunnyside area has caught the eye of developers. Older homes torn down and replaced. But some say their history is being erased they are worried builders are not following building codes. KPRC’s Rilwan Balogun looks into why this is happening and what to do if you have the same issue in your neighborhood.

The red beans and rice were a...

The largest urban solar farm in the nation is just weeks away from breaking ground in Houston’s Sunnyside neighborhood.

While everyone deserves the opportunity to eat healthy, Houston’s Sunnyside neighborhood has historically been overlooked for fresh food options.

The neighborhood was carved out specifically for the African American community, according to a City of Houston “Super Neighborhood” report. The idea of so-called “restricted communities” was born out of racism and segregation.

This is KPRC 2's second featured community. See what you can explore and how Sunnyside's issues could be the same thing you're dealing with in your neighborhood.

Join us as we embark on an exciting journey through the heart and soul of our city with KPRC 2's new series, 'Our Town'! 🌆🎬 Discover the stories, people, and places that make our community truly special. Also, click the link below and help us vote on where we should visit next!

We're looking for the best stories out of Sunnyside! We want to hear your best memories, where your favorite hangouts are, and how we can help in your neighborhood! 🏠🌟

KPRC 2 ‘Our Town’ dives into Alief/Westwood area + Amy Davis checks out the status of the water meter sensor updates.

Ponding and flooding is a familiar issue after it rains along Bellaire Blvd. in the Alief area.

With well over a half dozen cultures represented across roughly six square miles, Houston’s Asia Town is one of the largest multicultural communities in the country. Houston Police Sergeant Don Vo grew up in Acres Homes but knows the community and it’s residents very well.

The history of Alief includes a name change and a woman with a plan.

While the crawfish season in Houston is well underway, the supply isn’t there. Typically during the first few months of the season, we’re filled to our eyes with the “mud bugs” that have become such a craved part of our cuisine in Southeast Texas.

There’s no doubt the fourth largest city in the United States has sports teams that can compete on an international level, an unparalleled dining experience dealing with mouthwatering cuisines, and a top-notch workforce.