Convenience Big Store: Juneteenth: liberation, freedom and a run club

June 19, 2025

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People running with ZFT Houston Run Club are photographed on Saturday, June 7, 2025 in Houston.

Photo by: Raquel Natalicchio (Staff photographer)

Black-founded Houston club with hundreds of runners to mark 8th year this Juneteenth week

A Black-founded run club with hundreds of participants each week will celebrate its eighth anniversary this Juneteenth in Houston.

Every Saturday at 8 a.m., while most Houstonians may be snoozing their alarms, East Downtown is filled with groovy tunes, chants and footsteps from runners logging miles and enjoying line dances.

Kelvon Yancy said he founded ZFT Run Club Houston, also known as Zone Fitness Training, around the time of the 2017 Juneteenth celebration at Emancipation Park. He said his vision was to promote fitness, health and community for African Americans involved in distance running, where he saw a void for his community at the time.

Read Ralph Green's full story here.

📰 Need to Know

GOLD CUP BEGINS IN HOUSTON: A year before the World Cup, Houston will get a taste of international soccer matches over the next few weeks with the 2025 Gold Cup. First up is Haiti vs. Trinidad and Tobago today.
JUNETEENTH DOWNPOURS POSSIBLE: This year's Juneteenth celebrations from Houston to Galveston and beyond could include rain and even storms. In other weather news, Hurricane Erick is expected to reach maximum strength soon. Here's which areas will be hit.
DIRECTOR OF TEXAS FUNERAL COMMISSION FIRED: The Texas Funeral Service Commission fired its executive director Scott Bingaman after he alleged widespread "rot" in the agency. Bingaman defied his firing and said, "I am standing by my word."
IS A NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP COMING TO TEXAS? The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday removed a major hurdle for federal officials looking to build a temporary nuclear waste storage facility in Texas, despite opposition from state officials.
AN EFFORT TO ABOLISH STAAR TESTING: A Texas school district has joined calls for more "holistic" accountability by urging Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session on abolishing state-mandated exams altogether.
WHAT DID LINA HIDALGO DO IN PARIS? Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo met with a host of French officials, cultural icons and industry representatives over the past week as part of her trade mission to Paris.

🍜 Food News

BIG WINS FOR HOUSTON CHEFS: Belly of the Beast chef Thomas Bille won a prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef Texas at the foundation's annual ceremony Monday. And Houston chef Tristen Epps won season 22 of "Top Chef" last week. Plus, a Katy home baker will soon star alongside celebrity chef Duff Goldman in Food Network's "Super Mega Cakes."
HOW RESTAURANTS ARE COPING WITH HARD TIMES: Houston restaurants and bars are now opening as coffee shops during the day in an effort to bring in more revenue amid economic uncertainty. Local restaurants are also relying more on BYOB so they can save money and appeal to customers.
THE LATEST VIRAL FOOD TREND: Two Houston shops, Royal Roastery and Suzie's Pastry Shoppe, are selling the viral fruit pastries that are all the rage right now.
RESTAURANT OPENINGS: There are several upcoming restaurant openings in the Houston area. Some are old favorites that are being revived or reopening in new locations, including Yiayia's and Diversión cocktail bar. Others will be brand new for the area, including a goth tiki bar called Endless Bummer and Indian restaurant Kitchen Rumors from the Amrina team. Plus, Michelin-star hospitality group Emmer & Rye is coming to Houston.
MEDIUM RARE REVIEW: Medium Rare serves steak, fries, salad and free seconds for $33. But is it worth it? Find out restaurant columnist Bao Ong's take here.

Events at the Chronicle

Lisa Falkenberg and A&M University Chancellor John Sharp.

Photo by: Houston Chronicle Staff

EVENT: Retiring Texas A&M Chancellor on his career in politics, higher ed

Chronicle columnist Lisa Falkenberg sits down with John Sharp to discuss his storied career in politics, higher education, most recently as Texas A&M chancellor.

🐎️️ One More Thing

It's time to pull out the cowboy hats and rhinestones.

Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour will be in Houston for two nights next weekend. If you're attending, 1) I'm jealous and 2) do you know what you'll be wearing?

If not, here's a guide on what to wear. Houston fans are sure to go big with boots, bling and buckles. Now, who has an extra ticket?

— Yasmeen Khalifa