Courtesy of Prairie View A&M University
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is all set to address Prairie View A&M University’s summer 2023 graduating class. The 62nd mayor of the nation’s fourth-largest city will serve as the distinguished speaker at the University’s 112th Summer Commencement Convocation on Saturday, Aug. 12.
Over 200 students are expected to walk across the stage. Many of them began their college career journeys just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning.
Mayor Turner has steered Houston through several significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as budget deficits, homelessness and natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey.
Since taking office in 2015, Turner has passed numerous balanced budgets, championed historic pension reform and launched Houston’s first Climate Action Plan. Last year, he released his One Safe Houston initiative to combat the increase in violence resulting from the pandemic, domestic violence, mental illness, and the proliferation of guns on the street. The plan has resulted in a decrease in the year-to-year number of homicides and overall violent crime rate. Earlier this year, the mayor launched the One Clean Houston initiative to combat illegal dumping in the city.
Turner’s signature priorities include Complete Communities, an initiative designed to revitalize and improve Houston’s most under-served neighborhoods. He also created the Hire Houston Youth program to provide jobs and internship opportunities for thousands of young people each year. He forged public-private partnerships to improve neighborhood parks and expand Houston’s technology and innovation footprint.
Before he was elected as Houston’s mayor, Turner served for 27 years as the Representative for Texas House District 139. He worked on the House Appropriations Committee for 21 years and served as Speaker Pro Tem for three terms. He was appointed to several Budget Conference Committees to balance the state’s budget and served on the Legislative Budget Board.
Numerous publications and news outlets, such as 60 Minutes, MSNBC, CNN, CNBC, and FOX News, have recognized Turner as a “thought leader.” The Wall Street Journal, Black Enterprise Magazine, Cuba Today Magazine, Ebony, New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today have also featured him for his leadership and accomplishments.
Due to term limits, Mayor Turner’s time in office will end in January. In his final year as Houston’s top leader, Mayor Turner’s theme is “execution and implementation,” as he focuses on finishing major projects and initiatives.