For the second year running, Houstonia is naming a Houstonian of the Year. Inspired by Time’s iconic Person of the Year, our annual award shines a spotlight on the individuals—and in some cases, groups—who embody Houston’s resilience, creativity, and drive.

This city is brimming with people who make it better every single day. Some fight for safer streets or more inclusive spaces, while others bring culture and community to the forefront through food, advocacy, or public service. These are the Houstonians whose work stuck with us long after the headlines faded.

And just like last year, we’re putting the choice in your hands. Instead of selecting a winner ourselves, we’re asking readers to cast their vote. Who deserves to be called Houstonian of the Year 2025?

BikeHouston, pedal-powered changemakers

Although not technically an individual, Bike Houston is a collective making a major impact on Houston’s streets. Executive Director Joe Cutrufo and Program Director Robert Grobe lead the movement, collaborating with local officials and businesses to advocate for infrastructure that makes biking in Houston safer and more accessible. The organization also shares resources on a wide range of topics, including safety laws, trail closures, bike registration, and community ride guides, while hosting memorial rides for victims of hit-and-run accidents throughout the city. More recently, Bike Houston was mentioned in leaked text exchanges between Mayor John Whitmire and then-advisor Marlene Gafrick, with Whitmire referring to the organization as “bullies” that “ignored the impact of bikeways on the community.”

Jessica Callahan, accessibility advocate

This Houstonian has two passions in life: Braille transcription and food. Despite its world-class restaurant scene, few restaurants in Houston currently provide accessible menus to visually impaired diners. Callahan has raised the issue in multiple local Facebook dining groups, which has gained traction and raised local awareness. She’s already starting to see some success: City Cellars HTX’s Daniel Wolfe and Kerry Paul of KP’s Kitchen have both committed to creating a more inclusive dining experience.

Victoria Elizondo of Cochinita & Co., culinary changemaker

As a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Victoria Elizondo knows that her success as chef-owner of Cochinita & Co. means one thing: She has to use her platform for advocacy. Thanks to support from organizations like FIEL (Familias Inmigrantes y Estudiantes en la Lucha), an immigrant-led organization that helps individuals gain access to higher education and promotes social justice, Elizondo has successfully hosted events to help her East End community become familiar with their rights during uncertain times.

Dr. Peter Hotez of Baylor College of Medicine, vaccine warrior

Few Houstonians are as closely tied to public health as Dr. Peter Hotez. As codirector of Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, he has spent decades tackling neglected diseases while also waging a public battle against vaccine misinformation. His steady presence during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic made him one of the city’s most recognizable figures, respected for speaking out publicly while challenging misinformation. In 2025, as vaccines remain a flashpoint in national debates, Hotez continues to prioritize research, teaching, and advocacy—keeping science, truth, and Houston at the center of the conversation.

Stephen Klineberg of the Kinder Institute, diversity visionary

Houston’s diversity is one of its major points of pride, but how exactly did we first discover that the city stands out as one of the most diverse in the United States? That would be the doings of sociologist and demographics expert Dr. Stephen Klineberg, the founding director, now professor emeritus, at Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research. Every year since 1982, he and his students have conducted the Kinder Houston Area Survey, which tracks trends such as ethnicity, country of origin, religion, household income, and other factors to provide the most comprehensive view of Houston life possible.

David and Dara Landry of Class Bookstore, literacy advocates

As the owners of Class Bookstore in the Third Ward, this husband-and-wife duo has been at the forefront of promoting literacy at a local level. One in three Houston-area adults meets the qualifications for functional illiteracy, which they address by being open later than most retail establishments and offering a shelf full of free books to maximize accessibility. Class has also become a hub for promoting Black culture, art, and thought in the community, with a wide variety of poetry nights, lectures, book release parties, meetups, and even puppet shows on its calendar.

Councilman Edward Pollard, District J trailblazer

As the city representative for District J, Edward Pollard was elected to the Houston City Council in 2019 and reelected to serve in 2023. During his tenure, Pollard has created Houston’s Food Insecurity Board, initiated the Police Transparency Dashboard, and launched morejobshouston.com, a website providing job-related resources and employment opportunities. More recently, Pollard spearheaded the city’s recent dress code ordinance and announced plans to launch several programs, including a beautification initiative and a specialized police patrol. Within District J, Pollard has made headlines for holding Mayor Whitmire and the city accountable for pending pension payments for over 349 municipal retirees.

Shawn Singh (@Shawnthefoodsheep), dining scene amplifier

This viral Houston dining enthusiast has significantly expanded his following in the past few months. With a slew of video series highlighting Houston’s Michelin picks and diverse restaurant scene, Singh has become a fixture across Houston social media and a clear supporter of the city’s restaurant scene. Aside from sharing food and life updates, the influencer has been vocal about his experiences with racism in Houston, even responding to xenophobic comments with charity donations.

Tammi Wallace of LGBT Chamber of Commerce, equality champion

The cofounder, president, and CEO of Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce is a resilient and courageous member of our city’s community. During Pride Month in 2025, Tammi Wallace traveled to Tel Aviv to learn about the local LGBTQ+ community and the challenges it faces. Things quickly turned scary when she, along with other delegates from around the world, found herself in the midst of an international conflict. Following a lengthy cross-border journey, Wallace made her way safely back to Houston, but the trip served as a reminder of what it means to be a dedicated leader fighting for equality.

Rep. Gene Wu, quorum breaker

Texas Representative Gene Wu made national headlines this year after leading Texas Democrats to break quorum in protest of the Trump-backed, Republican-led efforts to redraw districting maps. Wu, alongside other Democrats, staged a walkout and traveled to Chicago in an attempt to delay votes for the redistricting. In August, Texas Governor Greg Abbott filed an emergency petition with the Texas Supreme Court, targeting Wu and seeking to remove him from office. Though the motion to redistrict Texas eventually passed, Wu and the Dems saw significant support from Houston during the fight.