HOUSTON, TX (Sept. 12, 2022) – After an extensive search and many nominations, five Houston area humanitarians have emerged as 2022’s Comcast Agents of Change: Lucy Bremond, Sidney Evans, Maria Hernandez, Rani Puranik and Craig Taylor.
The honorees will give $25K in total Comcast donations to local nonprofits and will be presented with City of Houston Proclamations later this month for their commitment to the community. Starting today, Houston area viewers will begin learning about each winner through features on local primetime television. Features will also be shared on Comcast Houston’s Twitter (@ComcastHouston) and Facebook (@Comcast) pages.
“We are honored to celebrate the hard work and determination of these servant-leaders whose successful efforts will move us closer to an inclusive community and level the digital playing field for everyone,” Comcast Senior Regional Vice President Ralph Martinez said. “We are inspired by the accomplishments and passion of each of these honorees and are privileged to shine a light on all they do to make a difference to so many in our community.”
The inaugural awards were created to honor community members who drive transformative change through volunteerism, mentorship, advocacy, and civic engagement in either Digital Equity, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or Environmental Sustainability. The awards program and nominations period were announced in May.
Here is a closer look at this year’s Comcast Agents of Change honorees.
LUCY BREMOND – Lucy grew up knowing the importance and responsibility of helping others in her community. She volunteers with several Houston area organizations — one of which is The Blue Triangle. The organization’s mission is to provide a safe environment for children, youth, and adults to meet, learn and recreate. When the Blue Triangle building, which is a Texas historical landmark and Houston’s oldest community centers, was damaged by Hurricane Harvey, Lucy was instrumental in making sure it was renovated and preserved so that future generations in the Third Ward can thrive.
Lucy has chosen The Blue Triangle as the beneficiary of her $5K Comcast Agents of Change donation.
SIDNEY EVANS – Sid’s mantra is “do more for others than you do for yourself”. He’s known for his optimism, ability to forge strong partnerships, and roll up his sleeves to work side by side with his peers in addressing the most critical issues for youth in marginalized communities. Drawing inspiration from his role model, his father, Sid has become an ally, an advocate and champion for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at work and in the community — most recently as an executive board member at the YMCA of Greater Houston. Under his board leadership, the Y’s first computer lab was established and eventually became the foundation for its path in bridging the digital divide
Sid has chosen the Texas State Aquarium as the beneficiary of his $5K Agents of Change donation.
MARIA HERNANDEZ – A Mexican immigrant and domestic violence survivor, Maria has overcome adversities that have driven her to advocate for safe spaces in underserved communities. She founded Madres del Parque (“Mothers of the Park”) to bring about true transformation and local environmental sustainability in the most densely populated and diverse area of Houston that notably lacks green space. Because of her advocacy, Harris County Commissioners Court initiated a contract for a master plan design for Burnett Bayland Park, located in Southwest Houston’s Gulfton community.
Maria has chosen Madres del Parque as the beneficiary of her $5K Comcast Agents of Change donation.
RANI PURANIK – Rani lives by the philosophy of ‘earn to return’. As an Indian immigrant, she had few resources and career opportunities when she came to Houston, yet she found hope and motivation by giving back to others in her community. Rani earned her way to become the CEO of World Oilfield Machine and is now giving back to her community through The Energy Project– a global service leadership internship for students at the Energy Institute High School (EIHS) in Houston’s Third Ward. The program focuses on inclusion in the energy field and allows students to problem-solve today’s local energy challenges through innovation.
Rani has chosen The Energy Project as the beneficiary of her $5K Comcast Agents of Change donation.
CRAIG TAYLOR – As a minority and veteran, Craig credits his success to having many mentors in his life who inspired him build seven self-funded companies. Craig co-founded Atlas Scholars – a development program that mentors, motivates and exposes a diverse group of high school students to performance-based, professional environments in the energy and finance industries. The program also provides internships, grants, scholarships and provides students with a lifelong network of mentors so they can go on to become leaders in their communities and careers.
Craig has chosen Atlas Scholars as the beneficiary for his $5K Comcast Agents of Change donation.
