Rodney Ellis

Christia Adair Park is a space where people come together, share a meal, and enjoy the outdoors, reflecting Christia Adair’s enduring commitment to connection, inclusion, and community. Adair served as the Executive Secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for 12 years, while also leading the fight to desegregate the Houston Public Library, the airport, the veterans' hospital, and city buses. Her legacy continues to shape a more equitable Houston. #WomensHistoryMonth

March 20, 2026 | Statement from Commissioner Rodney Ellis on the Approval of the Immigrant and Refugee Commission

Have you seen the women dancing across our aquatics center? Free Spirit, painted by Edosa Ogiugo and curated by Street Art for Mankind, celebrates the beauty of cultural diversity through dance and expression. Depicting Nigerian women in motion, the mural captures a modern impressionist style at an extraordinary scale. It highlights the energy, grace, and joy of traditional dance, echoing Edgar Degas's work while centering on the richness of African heritage. Free Spirit reflects the influence of women shaping culture and community both at home and around the world. 📍 Stop by and see it: 2731 El Camino St, Houston, TX 77054 #WomensHistoryMonth

Workers deserve a seat at the table and a voice in their workplaces, especially amid rising costs for basic necessities. Today, we secured a major victory for workers in Harris County, passing the first county worker consultation policy in Texas history. I am proud to have championed this policy. Thank you to the workers, labor leaders, fellow Court members and to my staff for working so hard to pass this policy and bring dignity to the many workers in Harris County who keep us running.

Yesterday, we announced a historic step for workers in Harris County by proposing the first county Worker Consultation Policy in the history of Texas. This policy creates a consultation process between county workers and county leadership, giving workers a seat at the table to raise concerns about wages, hours, promotions, and working conditions. Thank you to the labor partners and community organizations who have joined us in this fight. Worker power!

March 19, 2026 | Statement from Commissioner Rodney Ellis on Lawsuit Challenging EPA’s Rescinding of the Endangerment Finding

3.19.2026 | Statement from Commissioner Rodney Ellis on Harris County Advancing Plan for Ben Taub Expansion and Hermann Park Access

@BKRoberson2 Thank you for attending!

Thank you to Commissioners @RodneyEllis for bringing together faith-based and civic leaders for a powerful fireside chat with Reverend Al Sharpton this evening. The message was clear and timely—this is not a moment for hesitation, but for conviction. We were reminded that leadership requires courage, consistency, and a willingness to stand firm, even when it is uncomfortable. In times like these, our communities are not just looking for voices—they are looking for action. Tonight was a call to remain grounded in purpose, united in mission, and unwavering in our responsibility to serve.

Faith communities have long helped lead movements for justice, opportunity, and democratic participation. In times like these, their leadership matters more than ever. Tonight, we brought together faith leaders and community voices, including Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl), for a conversation about leadership, civic responsibility, and the church's role in challenging times. Thank you to everyone who joined us and to the leaders who continue serving our communities with compassion, truth, and purpose.

"Real Texans believe in looking out for each other."   A former state senator and fierce advocate for Texas families, my friend Wendy Davis has never shied away from standing up for her values or her community.   From her time on the Fort Worth City Council to the Texas State Senate, she worked to expand opportunity, improve access to education, and protect the health and well-being of Texans, especially women and children.   Davis built her legacy on the belief that government should reflect the compassion and responsibility Texans show one another every day. Her leadership continues to inspire a new generation to speak up, step forward, and fight for communities that are too often overlooked.   #WomensHistoryMonth

Everyone deserves dignity at work. As families struggle to make ends meet, it’s critical for local government to do everything in its power to stand with working people. Today, we announced a historic step for workers in Harris County with the first county Worker Consultation Policy in the history of Texas. This policy creates a consultation process between county workers and county leadership, giving workers a seat at the table to raise concerns about wages, hours, promotions, and working conditions. Thank you to the labor partners and community organizations who have joined us in this fight. Worker power!

Your right to justice should never depend on your wealth. Today, we mark the 63rd anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision Gideon v. Wainwright, which secured the constitutional right to criminal defense counsel for all, regardless of wealth, race, or gender. The mandate of Gideon v. Wainwright is not optional. To honor Gideon’s promise of equal justice, we must continue the fight toward a public defense system that is fair, accountable, and just for everyone.

Harris County workers are the backbone of our county. They fix our roads, maintain our parks, respond during emergencies, and keep public services moving every day. As families face rising costs, working people deserve a real voice in the decisions that affect their lives. This historic worker consultation policy would give county workers a seat at the table to speak to wages, benefits, working conditions, and other workplace concerns. Read the exclusive here:employees-labor-relations-union/

Our region is leading the way in economic development, and we’re telling the world about it. This morning, I delivered opening remarks at the City of Houston’s 10th Annual Investor Conference. Our region is driving transformational momentum, fueled by major investments and business opportunities such as the World Cup, Eli Lilly’s $5.9B manufacturing facility at Generation Park, and Apple’s new 250,000 sq. ft. campus opening in 2026. Thank you to City Controller Chris Hollins for hosting this important event.

Mental health care is community health care. Today, we broke ground on the new Youth and Family Wellness Center in northeast Harris County, an important expansion led by The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD and co-hosted by State Representative Senfronia Thompson. This new center will strengthen the mental health safety net for Harris County by bringing integrated behavioral health, medical, and community services directly into the neighborhood. Thank you Representative Thompson for bringing these critical services to the community.

Our Development and Infrastructure team hosted the first stakeholder engagement meeting for our Mobility Plan. This meeting allowed residents to learn more about the plan, share their thoughts on potential projects, and provide feedback on what transportation priorities matter most to them. If you missed the last one, please join the VIRTUAL option TODAY from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Learn more: tinyurl.com/ocremoves

"What the people want is simple... they want an America as good as its promise." Barbara Jordan's remarkable life and career in public service is unmatched. As the first southern Black woman in Congress, she broke barriers, made change, and left an indelible mark on Harris County. Her story is our story, and her life gives us all something to aspire to. She reminds us to push for what is right every time her moving monument travels across Harris County. #WomensHistoryMonth

"Every moment is an organizing opportunity... every second a chance to change the world." Few women have impacted the world like Dolores Huerta. Coining the battle cry "Si we puede!" Huerta built one of the strongest labor movements in history, founding the United Farm Workers of America and leading workers to victory in the Delano grape strike. At 95 years old, she continues to inspire us, and to fight for what is right. I am proud to feature her on one of my office's moving monuments. #WomensHistoryMonth

My team was honored to join the kickoff celebration for the 100th anniversary of Jack Yates High School. For a century, Jack Yates High School has represented excellence, pride, resilience, and leadership rooted in the Third Ward, reaching a rare milestone for a school founded during segregation. Martha Whiting Goddard, Jack Yates’ great‑granddaughter, capped off a fantastic day by guiding a tour that connected the school’s founding legacy to its enduring impact today.

Harris County is open for business, and we want you at the table! Join us on March 24, 2026, at 10 AM for Equity in Enterprise: Certification Workshop, a virtual event designed to help small business owners learn about eligibility requirements, the application process, and the benefits of certification. Don’t miss this chance to get certified, connect, and grow your business. Register today at bit.ly/4r7PO92 or at the link in our bio.