Greetings Constituents,

As summer is coming to an end, we are reminded of the turning tide and the promise of a vibrant new school year. It's a time for fresh starts and renewed commitments, not only for our young scholars but for all of us in District D.

In the spirit of this renewal, my office and I remain fervently dedicated to fostering a thriving community.

Part of fostering a thriving community, is having faith and believing in our youth. Classroom instruction without interruption is tantamount to academic retention and success. Teachers and students deserve an environment conducive to learning in the classroom.

Teachers are resigning and retiring due to the inability to maintain proper decorum and more importantly, the other students are being deprived of needed instruction due to the disruptions. I am in favor of the idea of students who are disruptive engaging in actual classroom instruction via zoom to keep them involved in the curriculum.

My apprehension is the use of libraries and removing librarians to create disciplinary centers and therefore feel that there should be a more creative venue to use for discipline centers. I also have a problem equating libraries to places of discipline.

A library without a librarian is likened to a pulpit without a preacher. Who will teach the children? I implore Superintendent Miles to consider a modification in this proposed delivery model

At the forefront of our work is the nurturing of our children's learning environments, ensuring they have the secure and supportive spaces they need to flourish.

In partnership with the Office of Business Opportunity, we continue to cultivate our district's entrepreneurial spirit, fueling economic growth and fortifying our local small businesses. It's about fostering a resilient community that generates opportunities and has the capacity to seize them.

We've also heard your concerns about the efficiency of our waste management services. Our robust collaboration with the Solid Waste Department is targeted towards improving the efficacy of trash/recycle pickup across our district.

We're especially proud to announce our engagement in the Third Ward's RYDE initiative, a program providing essential transportation solutions for our elderly and physically-challenged neighbors. This initiative underscores our commitment to a district where accessibility and inclusivity are more than just words.

We are all too aware that progress is not only about building up but also about safeguarding what we hold dear. As such, we are working tirelessly to address and reduce crime rates in District D. In the spirit of community collaboration, I encourage each of you to attend one of our monthly Positive Interaction Program (PIP) meetings. Your involvement is critical in making our community safer.

Our newly revamped District D website is now live! This is an excellent resource to stay updated about the happenings in our district and the various ways you can get involved.

As we continue to chart the course for District D, I'm reminded of the words of the esteemed Maya Angelou who said, "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."

These words epitomize our mission to keep District D moving forward. It's about building a district that embraces the dreams and aspirations of every one of its citizens.

Your voice matters. Your involvement matters. Together, we can shape District D into a community where progress, prosperity, and peace reign.

Thank you for your trust, your support, and your unwavering commitment to our community.

Yours faithfully,



 District D Councilmember Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz 

Ivy Lorraine Walls is an inspiring young individual who has made a significant impact in our community. She is a budding farmer, community entrepreneur, and creative visionary based in Sunnyside, Houston TX.

She started her journey in 2015 by selling apparel that celebrates and captures the essence of black and brown communities through Shop The Ivy Files. Her passion for creating change and fostering a sense of community in those around her led her to create social networks such as Undisputed Excellence, Jeeping While Black, and now Ivy Leaf Farms.

With a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry from Prairie View A&M University, Ivy worked full time as an Infection Preventionist. During the global pandemic, she had the opportunity to work closely with COVID-19 patients, which made her realize the importance of expediting her farming mobility ventures.

Ivy Leaf Farms is a community-driven organization that aims to promote neighborhood wellness and food equity in Sunnyside. Their mission is to grow fresh vegetables and maintain a space that allows our neighbors to connect with nature and sustainable growing practices.

They are deeply committed to living and educating inside our community to help advance food quality and insecurity in the area. Sunnyside lacks access to local, organic, or nutrient-dense foods and as a result, Ivy Leaf Farms is actively working to solve food insecurity issues in the community and educate people about the benefits of nutrient-dense food. Additionally, the farm is a safe space for people to relax, decompress, or feel supported mentally and physically. Everyone deserves access to fresh and nutritious food, and Ivy Leaf Farms is dedicated to making that a reality in Sunnyside.

The Sunnyside Multi-service Center Garden aims to be a community garden available for anyone who loves gardening.

In addition to the farm in Sunnyside, Ivy owns Fresh Houwse Grocery Story also located in Sunnyside at 5039 Reed Rd, Houston, TX 77033. Fresh Houwse is open from Wednesday to Friday from 10am-5pm, as well as Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm. The grocery store is stocked with the fresh produce that is from her farm!

You can't forget about Ivy's Black Farmer Box, where you can order a box of the fresh produce from her grocery store. She also has her own Restaurant!

Kuji Kitchen is located in Sunnyside as well, and serves fresh and delicious Island food and coffee for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's located at 8601 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Houston, TX 77033.

As someone who wears many hats, Ivy hopes to continue nurturing her community while nurturing the world one initiative at a time without compromising safety and security.

Thank you, Ivy, for serving the District D Community!

Houston Police Department Southeast Division

Positive Interaction Program

The Positive Interaction Program's (PIP) monthly meetings are an excellent opportunity to stay informed and participate in community affairs. The meetings feature speakers from various police divisions, such as Burglary and Theft, Homicide, K-9, Helicopters, and others, who explain their operations. This will give you a better understanding of how the police operate and what to expect if you ever need to interact with them. Officer Rebeckah Glaster, a guest speaker assigned to animal Enforcement, gave an informative presentation on stray animals at the last meeting. It was a valuable opportunity that you wouldn't want to miss!

Friends of Columbia Tap Visioning Workshop

We are thrilled to report an impressive turnout at the recent Visioning Workshop. It's remarkable to see how much can be achieved even with limited resources. What's more, I was heartened to learn about the diverse range of individuals who came together to effect change, making it an inclusive event. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the UH Community Design Resource Center for their tireless efforts in organizing such a successful event, and also to Suzie's Fusion Cuisine for providing such delectable fare.

I am confident that these conversations will lead to even more meaningful outcomes. Once again, congratulations on the success of the Visioning Workshop, and I look forward to hearing about the continued progress being made towards achieving the community's goals.

Light the Night with Friends of Columbia Tap

One Safe Houston: Light the Night Community Walk event was a major success for our District D residents and friends of Columbia Tap. This highly anticipated occasion took place along the Columbia Tap Trail, nestled in the heart of the 3rd Ward neighborhood. This event was not merely a walk or ride, but rather, a resounding statement of unity and commitment to creating a brighter future for everyone. 

We came together to raise awareness and make a positive impact within our community. Our esteemed partners and the Houston Police Department joined us in advocating for safety improvements aimed at creating a more secure environment for all. Your presence always matters, and we encourage you to walk side by side with us, supporting each other and the community we cherish. 

Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our fellow citizens. Let's continue to use these opportunities to stand together, united in our efforts to create a safer and more vibrant community for all to enjoy. We look forward to seeing you at the next one!

District D at the National Urban League Convention

It gives great pleasure to announce that District D had the privilege of attending and actively participating in the National Urban League convention this past month, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center here in Houston. This convention provided a remarkable opportunity for our team to engage with various stakeholders, partners, and community members, both local and from afar, all of whom share our common vision of working towards a better and brighter future for the African American Community. The experience was truly eye-opening and invigorating, leaving us all with a renewed sense of energy and excitement for the countless possibilities that lie ahead.

Saying Goodbye to our District D Intern

Estoria Thomas

It's always hard to say goodbye, especially when you know you'll miss them. Our summer intern Estoria Thomas, is gearing up and getting ready for her senior year at Sterling High School, and we are extremely proud of her and all of the help she provided our office this summer. She assisted with constituent services and helped our district D community member on a daily basis. She assisted with events, as well as housekeeping for our District D website and social media. It was a privilege to have someone as talented as her to serve the role as our office intern and we wish her nothing but the best for her senior year and future life endeavors!

High Water Usage Alerts

The Consumption Awareness Program (CAP) is an easy and convenient way to manage your water usage and bill. CAP offers alerts and notifications via Text, Email or Phone, Weekly Summary E-mail, CAP Usage Manager, Neighborhood Usage Comparison and Water Usage Calculator. By signing up for CAP customers have access via computer or mobile to active readings, track current billing cycle, monthly, daily, hourly usage, receive Weekly Summary Emails, receive alerts and notifications, water usage calculator and next project water bill.

Sign up to be a VDVR

A Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar (VDVR) is a person who assists in the registration of eligible persons to vote.

Sign up or renew your VDVR status. In District D every vote matters!