Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States and home to more than two million people. With that comes a rich blend of cultures, cuisines and celebrations that make this city unlike any other.
I was born and raised in Houston, lucky enough to grow up surrounded by its diversity. But for most of my life, I never really stopped to think about what it meant to live in such a multicultural city.
Diversity was simply part of my everyday life, so natural that I didn’t give it much thought. That changed when I started writing this article.
Houston’s food scene alone is a testament to its cultural depth. Any cuisine you can think of, you’ll find it here.
From Chinatown in Bellaire to Indian and Arab restaurants along Hillcroft and Mexican taquerias on nearly every street, Houston’s flavors are as diverse as its people. We do it better than anyone else, and we know it.
Food is just the beginning.
Cultural festivals light up the city year-round, whether it’s the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Hispanic Heritage Month, French Bastille Day or Lunar New Year celebrations. No matter where you’re from, you’ll find a piece of home here.
One of my earliest memories of Houston’s cultural spirit was when my family took me to a Lunar New Year celebration. I must have been around seven. I remember standing in awe as a dragon dancer wove through the crowd, its bright colors bringing the celebration to life before my eyes.
Cultural richness is alive at the University of Houston.
The university isn’t just a reflection of the city’s diversity; it’s where that diversity comes alive in personal, interactive and unforgettable ways.
Student organizations play a big role in celebrating and preserving cultural heritage. These organizations create spaces where students can embrace their roots and share their traditions with the wider campus community. They also host cultural nights, performances and events that invite everyone to learn, celebrate and connect.
Black culture also has a deep and powerful presence in Houston and at UH.
The city’s Third Ward neighborhood, which borders the university, is a historic center of Black culture, activism and artistry. From the legendary music of Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion to the vibrant murals and Black-owned businesses that line the streets, the influence of Black Houstonians is everywhere.
Personally, I live diversity every day.
My closest group of friends includes people from Guatemala and El Salvador (me), Mexico, Lebanon, Vietnam, Morocco and the United States.
Conversations about culture, food and traditions happen naturally because that’s simply who we are, a group shaped by different backgrounds, but connected through shared experiences.
At UH and in Houston, diversity isn’t a buzzword. It’s an everyday reality that shapes the campus and community experience, making it one of the most dynamic and culturally rich places to be in the country.
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