Q: What do you love most about the Houston region?

The people and the food. I have lived in Houston since 1992 and have found the people here to be welcoming, friendly and generous, unless they’re driving a car. And boy do Houstonians know how to eat! I never knew I was a foodie until I moved here. Now when I travel, even to great cities, I’m usually disappointed by the lack of variety and the lower quality of their restaurant options. Our restaurant scene has put Houston on the map, and rightfully so.

Q: Why is the issue of homelessness important to you?

I work with justice involved folks and homelessness is a widespread and persistent issue for them. Finding safe, affordable, sober housing has been a challenge. I want to get a better understanding of the housing resources available to those with criminal histories, and what we can do to help prevent homelessness going forward.

Q: What do you hope to contribute to the Coalition and people experiencing homelessness?

Although I’m currently running Justice Forward, a nonprofit, my career has been focused on criminal justice for over 30 years. I also spent some time in politics (unfortunately). I believe I can serve as a zealous advocate for the Coalition, as well as an advisor in the area of government, politics and the criminal justice system and how it intersects with homelessness. I will also be able to help secure resources for the homeless with the help of my current community partners.

Q: What are you most proud of?

My children Sam, a senior at UT, and Brynn, a sophomore at Sewanee: The University of the South.

Q: If you invite three people to dinner, living or deceased, who would you invite and why?

My husband Mike, so I could share one more meal with him, get one more of his hugs, and share with him how well our kids have turned out. Amelia Earhart because she has been my heroine since I was a little girl, and I want to know what really happened to her. Governor Ann Richards because we’re both from Waco, we’re both in recovery, we’ve both been in nasty political races and she was ridiculously hilarious. We would have a lot to talk about!

Q: What do you love most about the Houston region?

I was born and raised in Houston. I appreciate the climate in the winter and the ability to play golf year-round. As a former senior vice president of Bank of America with many contacts that play golf, I’ve played every course in Houston. I like the variety of golf courses, and I’m not necessarily partial to the “finer” courses in town.

Q: Why is the issue of homelessness important to you?

I’ve always had a concern for people who are homeless. Especially when the weather changes, and it’s going to be extremely hot or cold, and they’re sleeping in the elements. It’s just awful. Homelessness is one of the worst conditions that a person could experience.

We had to place a woman in a room who had lived in Herman Park for 19 years. Can you imagine the heat, humidity, storms, cold, mosquitoes? Nineteen years. You’ve never seen such excitement on the face of a person. She was overcome with emotion. She never thought she would live indoors again.

Q: What do you hope to contribute to the Coalition and people experiencing homelessness?

I hope that I can contribute ideas. I traveled to Utah and Arizona to look at homeless housing, and I was impressed by what I saw in both places. In Arizona, there was a large facility that offered health screening. There’s nothing beautiful about homelessness, but at least there was a big shelter where they could come, for food and shelter. In Utah, there were job opportunities for them — homeless people making furniture. They put them to work making beds, mattresses. It was so good to see them busy at work. I had never seen anything like it before. 

Q: What are you most proud of?

My three adult children: Tamala, Natasha, and Redick IV. Tamala is the weekday co-anchor of the morning news show on 6abc in Philadelphia and previously was the anchor of ABC's World News Now. Natasha lives in New York City and is the CFO of a company that supports housing for low- to moderate-income households. Redick works for Houston Methodist and is passionate about helping children. And I’m proud of my wife. She is energetic and will take the time to do things for people who others may have ignored or forgotten. We’ve been married 52 years.

Q: If you invite three people to dinner, living or deceased, who would you invite and why?

President Obama. He’s a fantastic person.

My brother Al Edwards, who is deceased. He was a legislator who made Juneteenth a holiday in the state of Texas. He died just before they made Juneteenth a national holiday. He’s buried in Austin in the state cemetery. There’s a monument on the Capitol grounds that he was responsible for commissioning, and there’s a statute of him in Galveston.

My mother. I would like to tell her about all of the things that have happened since she died. She was the mother of 12 children: nine boys and three girls. I was the seventh son. After my siblings and I grew up, she was a volunteer, a foster grandparent at Jefferson Davis Hospital for babies with abnormalities.

Q: What do you love most about the Houston region?

There are some great things about Houston. I love my top 5: diversity of people, sports, music, culture, and food! The diversity always surprises visitors.

Q: Why is the issue of homelessness important to you?

It is important to me because Texas is home to the 2nd-largest Veteran population in the US. I previously served as the Judge for Harris County Veterans' Court. This role allowed me to observe the Veteran homeless population and their issues with obtaining adequate housing. It became my desire to help ensure that the homeless population, especially Veterans, is resolved.

Q: What do you hope to contribute to the Coalition and people experiencing homelessness?

I hope to contribute my time, treasure, and talents to decrease the Homeless population in the community. I will also contribute my experience with the Veteran homeless population.

Q: What are you most proud of? 

I am most proud of my work in implementing criminal justice reform in the 3rd largest county in the United States. More than half of the US Veterans caught up in the criminal legal system  are experiencing mental health challenges like PTSD or substance use disorders. I was happy to assist with the public health approach to public safety for those Veterans.

Q: If you invite three people to dinner, living or deceased, who would you invite and why?

I would invite Jesus because he knows all things. I would like to obtain wisdom and knowledge from his perspective. I would also invite Thurgood Marshall because USA and the world still face many civil rights and segregation issues that need to be resolved. I believe he had a plan to resolve many of these issues. Dr. Dorothy I. Height because of her work for women’s rights including unemployment, illiteracy, and voter awarness. I believe that women still have a fight for women’s rights around the world. She would be able to share her work and continue ground breaking efforts for women’s rights. 

Q: What do you love most about the Houston region?

I love that we are a city of “doers” and Houston attracts people with a “can do” attitude. That spirit is still alive and well today. My hope is that we capitalize on that spirit while taking a step back to gain perspective and take on a more strategic and holistic approach to achieving success for our region.

Q: Why is the issue of homelessness important to you?

I am a native Houstonian and am grateful to this City for the many opportunities afforded me and my family.  I recognize however many have not benefited from the same opportunities – for a variety of reasons. I am still learning about the complexities of what it means to be homeless and about Houston’s homeless population. I truly want to understand this very complicated matter so we can continue to build upon the successes of the Coalition and its partners. Houston’s continued success and that of its citizens is tied to our ability to effectively and compassionately provide a safety net for our most vulnerable populations.

Q: What do you hope to contribute to the Coalition and people experiencing homelessness?

I hope my 25 plus years in finance, and specifically municipal finance, will be an asset to the Coalition. Furthermore, having worked with many local governmental entities in the Greater Houston area, I am hopeful some of the relationships that I have built over the years may be benefit our work.

Q: What are you most proud of?

My husband, Mitja, and I have two children – Logan, a senior in high school and Ava, an 8th grader. I am most proud of the responsible, conscientious and respectful people they are becoming (we’re not done yet!). As a working mom, there were indeed times when I questioned my priorities on both fronts, work and family.  I still struggle with the work-life balance, but as they have gotten older, they have become more self-sufficient. It’s a beautiful thing to watch them grow, stretch and thrive.

Q: If you invite three people to dinner, living or deceased, who would you invite and why?

I would invite my paternal great grandfather, Policarpo “Poli” Rodriguez, Jesse H. Jones, and Eva Peron.  In many respects, each of these individuals were trailblazers in their own right. My great grandfather, Poli, was a scout, Texas Ranger and Methodist minister. I am inspired by Jesse H. Jones because of the foresight demonstrated for Houston, and Eva Peron for her grit and perseverance. I would love to hear about how each of them embraced the challenges put before them to realize their unique opportunities against all odds for their individual legacies.  

Q: What do you love most about the Houston region?

I grew up in Houston and have always enjoyed its numerous locally family owned restaurants. Also, of course, the humidity, because as my mother has always said, “it’s good for your skin.”

Q: Why is the issue of homelessness important to you?

The issue of homelessness is important because everyone should have the shelter, safety and privacy that a home affords. It is hard for people to thrive if their basic needs are not satisfied. 

Q: What do you hope to contribute to the Coalition and people experiencing homelessness?

I want to make every effort to increase the availability of affordable homes for Houstonians.

Q: What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my children who are now adults with good hearts and good sense.

Q: If you invite three people to dinner, living or deceased, who would you invite and why?

I would invite Ann Richards, Molly Ivins, and Sarah Weddington to dinner so they could advise me on how to reverse the current political trend of curtailing previously well recognized human rights.