On Good Friday, dozens gathered to put on a reenactment of the Stations of the Cross at Cathedral of Saint Matthew in Aldine. The largely Latino congregation came out to see the biblical story performed in Spanish that afternoon. Lexi Parra went to photograph the theatrical ritual. One family in particular, the Payáns, were in […]
Lexi Parra
Lexi Parra is a photo editor for Houston Landing. Before moving to Houston, she worked as an independent photojournalist in Caracas, Venezuela and New York, NY, and her work has been published in The New York Times, NPR and The Washington Post. Parra focuses her lens on topics that resonate locally but appeal globally: youth culture, migration, the personal effects of inequality and violence and humanity’s resilience. Parra is a Getty Images and the Pulitzer Center grant recipient. A Bard College graduate, Parra put her Photo and Human Rights degree to work and founded Project MiRA in 2018. The photo education initiative fosters visual literacy and encourages young women in the barrios of Caracas to become empowered.
Posted inEspañol
De vuelta a casa: Erik Payán regresa con su familia tras pasar un mes detenido por ICE
El Houston Landing documentó los esfuerzos de Alejandrina Morales por traer de vuelta a casa a su esposo, quien fue detenido por ICE en febrero.
Posted inImmigration
Coming home: Erik Payán returns to his family after a month in detention
On Feb. 24 Erik Payán, a tire shop owner and beloved grandfather who has been in the United States for over 20 years, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. After almost a month in ICE detention he was reunited with his family on Friday.
Posted inImmigration
Immigration judge grants bond for Colony Ridge father arrested by ICE
Conroe Immigration Court Judge Mark Evan granted a $5,000 bond to Erik Payán, an ICE detainee. By 2:30 p.m., his family paid the sum and awaited his return.
Posted inAround the Region
Photo Essay: Culture, tradition and pride shines at Houston Rodeo’s Go Tejano Day
This weekend, Go Tejano Day brought thousands out to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The day’s lineup celebrated Tejano music, traditional Mexican dance, and horse showmanship. Local photographer Hope Mora went to capture the moments of culture, community and pride.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Photo Essay: Thousands mourn and honor Sylvester Turner, from Houston, Texas and the nation
The last week, thousands of people have paid their respects to the late Congressman, former mayor and former state representative – from Houston’s City Hall, to the Texas Capitol, and lastly at Turner’s longtime church The Church without Walls for a final send-off. Photojournalists Lexi Parra and May-Ying Lam documented moments of shared grief and […]
Posted inAround the Region
Photo Essay: Black Heritage Day at Houston’s Rodeo celebrates history, culture and community
Black Heritage Day was bustling with activity this past Friday at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Collegiate step teams performed on the Junction Stage, drawing hundreds to watch. Mass line dancing soon followed. Generations of Black ranchers were caring for their livestock inside the showroom. From traditional wear to Cowboy Carter-inspired outfits, people came […]
Posted inAround the Region
Photo Essay: Trail riders gallop into Houston, rodeo season kicks off
Last week, hundreds of trailriders from all over Texas made their way into Houston to kick off rodeo season. This decades-old tradition is an emblematic celebration of Western culture, passed down over generations. This year, Antranik Tavitian met up with the Prairie View trailriders, a historic Black riding group, two days before getting to Houston. […]
Posted inAround the Region
Photo Essay: Top Hands Horse Show, brings riders of all abilities to shine
This past weekend, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was unofficially kicked off with this year’s annual Top Hands competition. The Top Hands Horse Show invites riders of all ages and skill levels from therapeutic riding facilities from Houston and the surrounding areas to participate in this competitive horse show. Riders from all over Texas, […]
Posted inAround the Region
Photo essay: Generations gather to honor cemetery, beacon of Black history in Conroe
On Saturday, the Conroe Community Cemetery, a historic Black cemetery, was honored with a Texas Historical Marker. Over 200 people, including descendants, historians, civic leaders and local residents, attended the Texas Historical Marker Dedication Ceremony. The historic cemetery has graves dating back to the 1890s for emancipated slaves, educators, railroad workers, sawmill workers and the […]