Houston Community Media
about us
Sandy Close
Sandy Close, ACoM founder and Director Emeritus, started her career covering China and Vietnam as an editor of the Far Eastern Economic Review in the mid-1960s. She became editor of Pacific News Service in 1974 and was a pioneer in developing youth media. In 1996, she founded New America Media, the first and largest collaboration of ethnic news organizations. Her work has received several awards, including a MacArthur Foundation “Genius Award” and the 2011 Polk Award for Career Achievement. In 1996, a film she co-produced, Breathing Lessons, won an Academy Award for best short documentary. She founded American Community Media in 2017 to continue her work amplifying and elevating the voices of community and ethnic media.
Nguyen Lee
Nguyen Lee serves as director of operations for Houston Community Media, where she oversees event strategy, organizational administration and cross-sector partnerships that support the network’s regional initiatives. She brings a strong foundation in community engagement and civic programming, previously serving as programs and advocacy lead for OCA – Greater Houston. In that role, she directed citizenship initiatives and developed a diversity, equity and inclusion workshop series focused on community empowerment and public education. Beyond her professional work, Lee is active in Houston’s BTSxARMY community, organizing large-scale fan events and collaborative projects that reflect her passion for cultural connection and grassroots mobilization.
Yesenia Razo
Yesenia Razo serves as Latin outreach coordinator and social media manager for Houston Community Media, where she leads engagement efforts designed to elevate Latino voices and expand access to critical civic and community resources. She holds an associate degree in business management and is founder of Yes JJ Media, a digital communications firm. Razo is actively involved with nonprofit organizations across Houston, supporting veterans in accessing educational opportunities and organizing community-centered initiatives, including food distribution efforts serving multicultural neighborhoods.
Nakia Cooper
Nakia Cooper serves as co-director of Houston Community Media and is publisher of Bayou Beat News, a print and digital newspaper covering civic and cultural issues across the South. She is president of the Houston Association of Black Journalists and co-deputy director for Region III of the National Association of Black Journalists. A veteran media executive, Cooper has led digital media departments at KPRC 2, KHOU 11 and CW39 Houston and launched digital platforms for KTSU 90.9 FM, where she also served as co-anchor of on-air news briefs. Her leadership experience includes roles within government agencies specializing in public affairs, crisis communications and strategic media engagement.
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Did you know that one in four people in this country use their community media as a primary source of information. Interested in becoming a Media Partner? Click link below: