Mayor Sylvester Turner announced that the lights of Houston City Hall, the Southwest Freeway bridges, and Bush Intercontinental Airport will turn blue Saturday evening in honor fallen Houston Police Department Tactical Flight Officer Jason Knox. Knox died early Saturday morning when the police helicopter he was in crashed near a Greenspoint apartment complex. The pilot, Senior Police Officer Chase Cormier, survived the crash and is recovering at Memorial Hermann Hospital following surgery. Knox was the son of Houston City Councilman Mike Knox, a retired Houston Police Officer. Jason Knox leaves behind a wife, two children, and an extended family. “The City of Houston is heartbroken following the tragic death of HPD Officer Jason Knox. He was a dedicated public servant who inspired his fellow officers and worked to build meaningful relationships throughout the community. “ “Officer Knox lived each day to the fullest and died while performing his passion, working as a member of the HPD Air Unit, and keeping our city safe. “ “I had the pleasure of meeting Jason on several occasions through his father’s work on the Houston City Council. I know Mike and Helen Knox were proud of their son and will miss him dearly. I want to express my deepest condolences to the family as they grieve the loss of a beloved son, husband, father, and friend.” “I also thank the Houston Fire Department, the crew of Life Flight, and Memorial Hermann Hospital doctors and nurses for their brave work to save the officers.”I ask our city to join me in praying for the Knox and Cormier families. May God bring comfort in their time of grief and strength to the men and women of the Houston Police Department.” |
Mayor Turner Extends Condolences to the Family of Houston Police Officer Jason Knox City Hall Lights Will Turn Blue to Honor Fallen Officer
Houston Firefighters Assist in Holcombe Rd Wildland Fire
| Two HFD Firefighters are currently deployed to the Holcombe Rd Wildland fire in Crockett Co in between Val Verde & Ozona Tx. Senior Captain Nicasio & Firefighter Steven Billnoske (Deployable Operations Group) have been on assignment since April 21st and were deployed as part of the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Texas Interstate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS). The task force was assigned primarily to the east side of the incident protecting numerous oil fields. More than 300 structures were threatened when TIFMAS sent five strike teams to assist the Texas A&M Forest Service and local fire authorities. The fire, initially 700 acres, grew by an additional 10,000 acres within 24 hours. The fire now is at more than 25,958 acres and 89% contained. HFD’s recent acquisition of Booster 32 is being used for fire patrol and should return to Houston later this week. |
The Houston Public Library Will Remain Closed Through May
| The Houston Public Library will remain closed through May 31, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis. HPL will continue to provide robust online resources so that the public can enjoy the library at home. By visiting www.houstonlibrary.org, adults, teens, and children will discover the diverse online virtual programs, services, and plentiful educational and entertaining resources that are available for free. A MY Link library card is required to access these resources. If customers don’t have a library card, the Library is offering temporary free online cards that will be good until August 1, 2020. Visit www.houstonlibrary.org/my-link-library-card-registration. “This unprecedented moment in our history requires that we intentionally put first the health and safety of our staff members, families, friends, and neighbors. To that end, at the direction of our Mayor and advice of City public health officials, the Houston Public Library will remain closed to the public at least through May. Please stay safe, and stay tuned for updates regarding the status of the library.” said Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, Library Director. HPL’s virtual programming includes storytime every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11 am on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/houstonlibrary/. We also have First Chapter podcasts of teen and tween books at https://anchor.fm/houston-library. The library will be adding additional content including craft and STEM videos, book chats, book clubs, Living English Lessons, and more. You can also virtually visit the historic Julia Ideson Building that houses our Houston Metropolitan Research Center at http://houstonlibrary.org/research/special-collections/houston-metropolitan-research-center, access historic pictures, oral histories, and more through the Houston Area Digital Archives at https://digital.houstonlibrary.org/. Researching your family history is still possible online through the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research Center and through access to Ancestry.com, which is provided for customers remotely through the end of May at www.houstonlibrary.org/research/resources-by-category/234. Brainfuse is a great resource for many parents helping with schoolwork. Customers can get live homework help with a tutor, build skills, receive writing assistance, and more. Brainfuse is available 24/7 for grades Kindergarten through college. This is especially exciting news for parents helping their kids with homework while everyone is working from home. In addition, Brainfuse has tools for adults that include career resources, resume help, practice tests, live job coaching, ESL, and more at http://houstonlibrary.org/learn-explore/online-resources-kids. If customers need help with any HPL resource, they can call 832-393-1313 and get assistance Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. or send a message through Email Reference at https://houstonlibrary.org/email-reference. Customers will receive a response within 48 to 72 hours. |
Mayor Turner and the City’s COVID-19 Recovery Czar Encourage Houstonians to Use Caution as Businesses Reopen
| As retailers and restaurants, along with other businesses prepare to reopen, Mayor Sylvester Turner and the City’s COVID-19 Recovery Czar, Marvin Odum, on Thursday encouraged Houstonians to practice caution before returning to a normal routine. Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order allows some businesses to reopen at 25 percent capacity on Friday, May 1. The city of Houston supports a safe and responsible transition to reopening the economy. “Do not stop social distancing or wearing face coverings because the virus is still prevalent in our city,” Mayor Turner said. “As businesses reopen, I will continue to stress the need for robust and ubiquitous testing.” On Thursday, the Houston Health Department reported 98 new cases of COVID-19 and four additional deaths. Recovery Czar Odum said he is working with local businesses and other stakeholders to develop plans to help Houstonians safety return to work. Odum stressed that contact tracing and testing are priorities. Additional guidance on reopening is available at the HoustonEmergency.org website. The city of Houston City will return to its normal schedule of operations on June 1, if there is no resurgence of COVID-19 during the governor’s phased-in approach to reopening businesses. The city has modified the Stay Home, Work safe order and all city permitted and sponsored events are canceled through May. The Houston Public Library will remain closed, and all Houston Municipal Court trials, along with arraignments, hearings, jury duty, and parking adjudication hearings, also will be suspended through May. |
City of Houston Municipal Courts Extends Suspension of All Trials (Jury and Judge), Jury Duty, Arraignments, Hearings, and Parking Adjudication Hearings to May 31, 2020 to Continue the Promotion of Safe Distancing in Response to Covid-19
| In an effort to continue to encourage the health and safety of the public and court staff members from the spread of the COVID-19, the City of Houston Municipal Courts Department has extended the suspension of ALL JURY AND JUDGE TRIALS, JURY DUTY, ARRAIGNMENTS AND PARKING ADJUDICATION HEARINGS through May 31, 2020. All court functions will resume on Monday, June 1, 2020 unless further notification is provided. The Court remains open for all other proceedings. Members of the public should contact a health care provider and not come to court if they have come into contact with someone who is experiencing symptoms or is experiencing symptoms similar to COVID-19. Once cleared by a physician, individuals may visit any City of Houston court location to speak with an Annex Judge to reset a case. CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. If you have missed court during the COVID-19 emergency, resets will be given in person at all City of Houston court locations beginning Monday, May 11, 2020 through Friday, May 29, 2020 until 5 p.m. Please visit the Municipal Courts’ website at www.houstontx.gov/courts for information on all court locations and hours of operation. Through May 31, 2020, there will be:NO TRIALS, ARRAIGNMENTS OR COURT HEARINGS. If you are a DEFENDANT scheduled for court during this period, you do not have to appear. You must reschedule your setting in person no later than Friday, May 29, 2020 to receive a new court date. All court functions will resume on Monday, June 1, 2020 unless further notification is provided. It is important to note that if an individual fails to reset their case(s) during the reset period (5/11/2020 through 5/29/2020), an arrest warrant may be issued.NO JURY DUTY. If you are a Juror and have been scheduled for jury duty, you do not have to appear during this period. You do not need to reschedule your Jury Service. Jury duty will resume Monday, June 1, 2020 unless further notification is provided. NO PARKING ADJUDICATION HEARINGS. You may contest your parking citation at https://houstonparking.t2hosted.com/app/index.aspx.For additional announcements and information please call the City of Houston Helpline at 3-1-1, or 713.837.0311 if outside of the City of Houston, or visit the Municipal Courts website at www.houstontx.gov/courts. |
National Travel and Tourism Week 2020 Celebrates “Spirit of Travel”
| National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), the annual celebration of the contributions and accomplishments of the travel industry, will spotlight resilience and hope in the face of the coronavirus pandemic with this year’s theme: Celebrating the Spirit of Travel. Celebrated annually the first full week in May, NTTW was created by Congress in 1983 to underscore the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 37th NTTW (May 3-9) arrives at an opportune moment to unite the industry, celebrate its indomitable spirit and elevate the role it will play in America’s economic recovery. Visit Corpus Christi is asking the community to join in going Turquoise for Tourism during NTTW, May 3-9, 2020. Turquoise for Tourism acknowledge s all the travel and tourism employees who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Harbor Bridge and digital bulletins across the city will be lit up with the color turquoise to celebrate the Corpus Christi tourism industry. Options for going Turquoise for Tourism can be found here. If you would like to go Turquoise for Tourism and have special dimensions, please contact Visit Corpus Christi for a custom size creation. Turquoise for Tourism is also an initiative to raise awareness for the Visit CC Cares Program Emergency Relief Fund to help employees in the hospitality and tourism industry who have experienced a financial hardship and work furlough. Visit Corpus Christi has partnered with local brand, Made in Corpus Christi, to create custom line of merchandise for the program – including special turquoise stickers and buttons to be displayed and worn throughout NTTW. Turquoise for Tourism stickers and buttons can be purchased here. “There’s no doubt this has been an incredibly challenging time for Corpus Christi but we see National Travel and Tourism Week as an opportunity to remind our visitors and our residents of the incredible spirit and resiliency of the travel industry and our workforce. It’s only a matter of time before we all get moving again, and Corpus Christi will be more ready than ever to welcome travelers with open arms.” said Brett Oetting, Visit Corpus Christi President & CEO. Please click here to learn more about Visit Corpus Christi’s NTTW plans and visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about the week. |
Harris County COVID-19 Relief Fund Approved at Commissioners Court
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck the nation, millions of Americans were either living paycheck to paycheck or below the poverty level. In Harris County, the working poor are amongst the hardest hit by COVID-19. Harris County Commissioners Court took a much-needed first step to help the most vulnerable in our community by approving a $15 million COVID-19 Relief Fund that will provide support for rent, food, medical care, child care and other expenses. If approved by the Harris County Attorney’s Office, the fund will provide direct assistance to county residents who are in the most need.
“Due to the strict and exclusionary guidelines of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, federal support will not reach all residents, especially those who need the most support,” Commissioners Ellis said. “Only by helping the most vulnerable in our community – including students and adults with disabilities who are listed as dependents, undocumented immigrants, domestic violence survivors, people experiencing homelessness and children who have aged out of foster care – will we truly recover from this crisis.”
The Urban Institute estimates that the Houston metro area has lost more than 200,000 low-income jobs. In addition, Commissioners Court Analyst’s Office reports, since March 15, at least 169,308 initial unemployment claims have been filed by county residents. That means approximately 7% of the labor force filed for unemployment over the last four weeks.
“A pandemic response that excludes any members of our communities will weaken its effectiveness,” Commissioner Ellis said. “Our community is only as healthy as our most vulnerable neighbors, including those who are undocumented immigrants. Additionally, undocumented immigrant households in Harris County pay $742 million in federal taxes and $448 million in local and state taxes.”
The hardest hit industries are the accommodation and food services; health care and social assistance; and retail trade – all among the lowest paid in the workforce.
“The Coronavirus pandemic has created both a health and a financial crisis,” Commissioner Ellis said. “Without financial assistance, those who lost their income due to the pandemic have to choose between physical or financial survival.”
This relief fund, which will follow the distribution model created for the Hurricane Harvey Recovery Fund, will be managed by the Greater Houston Community Foundation, which has the knowledge and capacity to administer and coordinate the distribution of the relief fund to all residents through its existing network of nonprofit safety providers.
Governor Abbott Announces Phase One To Open Texas, Establishes Statewide Minimum Standard Health Protocols
Governor Greg Abbott today announced the first phase of the State of Texas’ ongoing plan to safely and strategically open Texas while minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Under Phase I, certain services and activities are allowed to open with limited occupancy, and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is issuing minimum standard health protocols for all businesses and individuals to follow. The Governor also outlined special guidance for Texans over 65 and detailed a comprehensive mitigation plan for nursing homes in Texas. The Governor also announced a statewide testing and tracing program developed by DSHS that will help public health officials quickly identify and test Texans who contract COVID-19 and mitigate further spread of the virus.
The Governor’s announcement is accompanied by Texans Helping Texans: The Governor’s Report to Open Texas. This detailed report, available on the strike force website, helps Texans understand phase one by outlining the new protocols, guidance, and recommendations. The report also includes a series of Open Texas Checklists that outline DSHS’ minimum standard health protocols for all Texans.
“This strategic approach to opening the state of Texas prioritizes the health and safety of our communities and follows the guidelines laid out by our team of medical experts,” said Governor Abbott. “Now more than ever, Texans must remain committed to safe distancing practices that reduce the spread of COVID-19, and we must continue to rely on doctors and data to provide us with the safest strategies to restore Texans’ livelihoods. We must also focus on protecting the most vulnerable Texans from exposure to COVID-19. If we remain focused on protecting the lives of our fellow Texans, we can continue to open the Lone Star State.”
By way of Executive Order (GA-18), all retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and malls are permitted to reopen on Friday, May 1. These services must limit their capacity to 25% of their listed occupancy. Within shopping malls, the food-court dining areas, play areas, and interactive displays and settings must remain closed.
All museums and libraries may open under the same 25% occupancy limitation, but interactive areas of museums must remain closed. State libraries and museums will open by May 1, and local public museums and libraries may reopen only if permitted by the local government. Single-person offices may reopen as well.
Churches and places of worship remain open. Outdoor sports are allowed to resume so long as no more than four participants are playing together at one time. Certain social distancing practices must also be followed. Local government operations, including county and municipal government operations relating to permitting, recordation, and document-filing services, may reopen as determined by the local government.
DSHS has recommended minimum standard health protocols for all individuals, all employers and employees, as well as industry-specific protocols for retailers, retail customers, restaurants, restaurant patrons, movie theaters, movie theater customers, museums and libraries, museum and library visitors, outdoor sports participants, single-person offices, and low COVID-19 counties. These protocols are outlined in the Open Texas Checklists within the Governor’s report beginning on page 20.
Essential services such as farmers and ranchers, grocery and drug stores, banks, and gas stations will continue to operate. Public swimming pools, bars, gyms, cosmetology salons, massage establishments, interactive amusement venues, such as bowling alleys and video arcades, and tattoo and piercing studios will remain closed through Phase I. Nursing homes, state supported living centers, assisted living facilities, and long-term care facilities must remain closed to visitors unless to provide critical assistance.
The Governor also established increased occupancy protocols for certain counties with five or fewer laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19. Those counties may, on an individualized basis, increase occupancy limits to up to 50% for restaurants, retail, shopping malls, museums and libraries, and movie theaters if they meet certain criteria. The county judge must certify and affirm to DSHS that the following standards have been investigated and confirmed to be met:
- The county had five or fewer COVID-19 laboratory confirmed cases on April 30, 2020 or, at a later date, five or fewer active COVID-19 cases as verified by DSHS.
- The county has created a list of testing opportunities in the county or the area.
- The county has been in contact with its designated regional advisory council to ensure the community is prepared for any needed health care transfers.
- The county has provided public notice to the residents of the county, including: Signs and symptoms of COVID-19: Recommended health and safety protocols in line with CDC guidance; Information regarding how residents can get tested in the area; A link to the DSHS website where residents can go to learn about community spread in nearby communities, in order to help county residents understand their risk to exposure if they travel regularly outside of the county.
- The county has contacted each of the following types of facilities located in the county to ensure they are complying with Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines regarding COVID-19: Nursing homes; Assisted living facilities; Industrial, agricultural, or business facilities with a significant number of employees; and City or county jails.
- The county is equipped and prepared to protect vulnerable populations, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
- The county has documented procedures to be activated if a resident becomes COVID-19 positive, including procedures to take appropriate measures as necessary in line with the plan to open Texas.
- The county has contacted DSHS in order to create a plan to ensure contact tracing will occur within 48 hours of a positive test reported to DSHS.
Phase I will begin Friday May 1 and continue until at least May 18. The Governor will continue to evaluate next steps for the state.
The Governor’s Report to Open Texas also outlines a long-term comprehensive mitigation plan for nursing homes in Texas. Eight recommendations have been developed by HHSC to help mitigate the further spread of COVID-19 and decrease the risk of infection in these facilities. A summary of the recommendations is below, and full recommendations are in the Governor’s report beginning on page 9:
- Quantify the extent of infection immediately
- Establish a comprehensive mitigation plan
- Re-evaluate current COVID-19 positive facilities
- Appropriate isolation and placement of COVID-19 patients
- Implement enhanced access controls
- Enhance control of staff access
- Effective notifications
- Continue containment efforts
During the press conference, the Governor also announced a new statewide testing and contact tracing program. Developed and implemented by DSHS, this program will help identify individuals who have contracted COVID-19 and those who may need to quarantine or be tested due to potential exposure. This phased implementation will allow Texans to box in the virus and slow, or even stop, further spread. Phase I of the tracing program has been completed, and Phase II begins today. Phase III begins May 11. More details about the contact tracing program are available in the Governor’s Report to Open Texas beginning on page 16.
Governor Abbott today also relaxed certain restrictions related to health care professionals and issued amended requirements related to hospital capacity. Under an Executive Order (GA-19) issued today:
- All licensed health care professionals shall be limited in their practice by, and must comply with, any emergency rules promulgated by their respective licensing agencies dictating minimum standards for safe practice during the COVID-19 disaster.
- Every hospital licensed under Chapter 241 of the Texas Health & Safety Code shall reserve at least 15% of its hospital capacity for treatment of COVID-19 patients, accounting for the range of clinical severity of COVID-19 patients, as determined by HHSC.
Additionally, the Governor issued an Executive Order (GA-20) to eliminate the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for individuals traveling from Louisiana. Under GA-20, the mandated 14-day quarantine for travelers from the following areas remains in place: California; Connecticut; New York; New Jersey; Washington; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan, and Miami, Florida.
View Texans Helping Texans: The Governor’s Report to Open Texas.
View the Governor’s Executive Orders issued today:
- GA-18: Relating to the expanded reopening of services as part of the safe, strategic plan to Open Texas in response to the COVID-19 disaster.
- GA-19: Relating to hospital capacity during the COVID-19 disaster.
- GA-20: Relating to expanding travel without restrictions as part of the safe, strategic plan to Open Texas in response to the COVID-19 disaster.
Statue of late U.S. Congressman George Thomas “Mickey” Leland unveiled in Hermann Park
| Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Alison Leland and two U.S. Congress members on Saturday unveiled a statue honoring the late Congressman Mickey Leland, a global humanitarian who devoted his life to helping others. Click here for video of Saturday’s dedication ceremony. Please courtesy the City of Houston Municipal Channel.  The speakers – including Congressman Leland’s widow, Alison, and U.S. Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green – mentioned the importance of recognizing him during the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic that has created food insecurity in the country and also has highlighted the inequalities in the nation’s health care system, especially for the poor and people of color.  Congressman Leland, born Nov. 27, 1944, in Lubbock, and 15 others died in a plane crash on Aug. 7, 1989, while on a humanitarian mission to Fugnido, Ethiopia. He served six terms in Congress and six years as a Texas state legislator. He focused his political career on issues such as health and hunger. Saturday’s ceremony was held in front of the statue that was installed Thursday in Hermann Park on the west plaza of Miller Outdoor Theatre. The project was a partnership between Harris County Precinct One, City of Houston and its Parks and Recreation Department, and Houston First. The project to erect the statue started in December 2018 when Harris County Commissioners Court, at the request of Commissioner Ellis, approved the sculpture’s creation. In April 2019, Commissioners Court approved a contract with artist Edward “Ed” Joseph Dwight Jr. to create the statue. Dwight is a groundbreaking African American sculptor and artist. He was also a test pilot in the Air Force and engineer. He made history when he was selected by the Kennedy administration to be the first African American astronaut trainee. |
Prince Royce Releases the Video for “Me Robaste La Vida” From His Multi-platinum Double Album Alter Ego
| Multiplatinum award-winning Latin superstar Prince Royce has just released the video for “Me Robaste La Vida”, off his latest album, the double disc set ALTER EGO. To watch the video click HERE. The artistic and minimalistic production is part of a body of work shot by renown director Carlos Perez which includes concept music videos for most of the album’s songs. Each one, captures the unique mood and aesthetic of the song. In the following weeks, Royce will continue to release the videos every other Saturday, as a special gift to the fans of his music. The videos released are being chosen by the fans through social media polls and questions Royce has been posting. ALTER EGO debuted at #1 in February on the following Billboard charts: Top Latin Albums, Latin Album Sales, and Tropical Albums and it has already been certified 2X Platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for its sales in the United States and Puerto Rico. ALTER EGO had the most successful debut sales week for a Latin album since April 2019 and the first and only #1 debut of the year on the Tropical Albums chart. The album’s latest single “Carita de Inocente” has been #1 on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart for five consecutive weeks joining ALTER EGO’s other tracks that have been at the top of the charts, “Morir Solo” also reached #1 on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart, his 6x Platinum hit “El Clavo” was #1 on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart and his 2x Platinum single “Adicto” feat. Marc Anthony, remained at #1 on the Tropical Songs chart for seven consecutive weeks. In addition, his collab with Manuel Turizo, “Cúrame”, has been certified 2x Platinum, it reached #5 on the YouTube Global chart and remained in the Top 5 of the YouTube Global Viral chart for 7 weeks, reaching #3. ALTER EGO is the only original double album released by a Latin artist in over a decade. Listen to it now by clicking HERE. ALTER EGO encapsulates a two-year creative journey of musical expression that ends up in a fantastic labyrinth of romance in its different forms of expression. The double album is comprised of “Genesis” and “Enigma”. In “Genesis”, Royce expands upon the sound and influences that kick-started his career, this time with more mature concepts and lyrics, while also experimenting with more traditional elements and switching things up with interesting collabs. In “Enigma”, Royce submerges himself in and experiments with different musical worlds, he takes risks creating more artistic, innovative, non-censored music. The result is a masterpiece that represents the best of all worlds – a powerful Latin (Spanish-language with some English) double album destined to become a classic, where we get to experience a rich musical adventure that includes everything from bachata to urban to pop to R&B. Prince Royce is a finalist for the 2020 Billboard Awards in the Tropical Artist of the Year category. About Prince Royce In the past 10 years, multi-platinum award-winning, singer/songwriter Prince Royce has become a bona fide Latin superstar, scoring 18 #1 radio hits, 22 Latin Billboard Awards, 19 Premio lo Nuestro Awards, 19 Premios Juventud Awards, 7 Latin AMAs, and 13 Latin GRAMMY nominations. Royce has a massive fan base with close to 60 million followers on social media and he has sold out many of the most prestigious venues in Latin America and the United States. In February 2019 Prince Royce made history becoming the first and only tropical music artist to perform at the Houston Rodeo at the NRG Stadium where he attracted more than 55,000 euphoric fans. According to Billboard, he is one of the Top Ten Latin artists with most followers on TikTok. His latest album, the double disc set ALTER EGO debuted in February 2020 at #1 on the following Billboard charts: Top Latin Albums, Latin Album Sales, and Tropical Albums and it has been certified 2X Platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for its sales in the United States and Puerto Rico. Some of the artist’s collaborations include: Shakira, Chris Brown, Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, Snoop Dogg, Pitbull, Thalia, Maná, Daddy Yankee, Becky G, Anitta, Ludacris, J Balvin, Bad Bunny, Farruko, and Maluma, among others. Prince Royce has co-starred as Peter in the Fox Live musical broadcast of “The Passion” in 2016 and was part of the cast of Hulu’s hit series, “East Los High”. In 2018, Royce guest-starred in Disney’s “Elena of Avalor: Song of the Sirenas” TV movie, voicing the character of Prince Marzel. August 9, 2018 was proclaimed “Prince Royce Day” in New York by Mayor Bill de Blasio, in recognition of his contributions to society and for being a role model to youth in his home town. He has been induced into the Bronx Hall of Fame with a street named after him, and ran the New York City Marathon to raise funds and awareness on education in public schools and kidney disease. Billboard included his 2013 album “Soy El Mismo” in their “50 Best Latin Albums of the Decades” list. Royce’s self-titled debut album is #4 on Billboard’s list of Top Latin Albums of the Decade (2010s) and he has three songs in the Hot Latin Songs of the Decade chart “Darte Un Beso”, “Corazón Sin Cara” and “El Verdadero Amor Perdona” x Mana. |