Houston Inspira

Public Health Storytelling Campaign

Nick Anderson CartoonThe City of Houston was awarded a $200,000 grant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in October 2021 to create and launch a public health campaign, “Houston Inspires/Houston Inspira”. The Mayor’s Offices of Cultural Affairs and Government Relations are leading this work with the Office of Complete Communities, Resilience and Sustainability and the Houston Health Department. Additionally, city departments will engage environmental organizations, artists, and storytellers to inspire awareness and action to improve health and safety outcomes. The 5 Complete Communities selected have the highest amount of concrete batch plants. As a result, these neighborhoods have been adopted by local environmental partners to increase capacity building, engage in public forums, storytelling, and other innovative programs that raise awareness of health concerns around COVID-19 and air pollutants, particularly PM2.5 and benzene.

  • This effort aligns with Resilient Houston Goal 5. We will invest in arts and culture to strengthen community resilience. Through this project, Houston will promote local artists to engage Houstonians and create awareness of the environmental justice challenges and health risks that our most vulnerable populations face.

Check Your Air Quality

Creative Storytelling

Five storytellers from these communities were selected to engage, educate, and create with residents. The City of Houston is sharing the works produced by the Storytellers, available in several languages, free of charge for non-commercial use. Download them here to use on social media or printed materials that promote advocacy against environmentally hazardous facilities and infrastructure, including concrete batch plants.

Meet Our Storytellers   View Storytellers' Works

Houston Inspira Campaign

The City of Houston initiated the Houston Inspira Campaign to educate residents on the dangers of breathing PM2.5, Benzene, and other toxic emissions. The campaign consisted of billboards across the city and mailers sent to residents. Click on the graphics below for full-sized .jpg or .png versions.

Houston Inspira Billboard

Houston Inspira Billboard

Houston Inspira Mailer - Front   Houston Inspira Mailer - Back

Houston Inspira Mailers

Houston Inspira Editorial Cartoons

Pulitzer Prize cartoonist Nick Anderson created cartoons for the Houston Inspira campaign. Click on the graphics below for full-sized .jpg versions.

Nick Anderson Cartoon   Environmental Justice

Concrete Batch Truck   Concrete Batch Pier