HTX Voices: Community Storytelling, Career Education, & Training

Our Story

The Vision Behind HTX Voices

With a background in Radio-Television-Film, Juan Elizondo envisioned a platform where students could use media to share their stories and those of their communities. As a filmmaker and director of environmental documentaries, he recognized that storytelling is a powerful educational tool, empowering students to express themselves while developing career-ready skills.

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Elizondo’s journey into media began in high school, where he worked on the yearbook and was accepted into the Houston Chronicle Journalism Summer Program. Scholarships from the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals helped him complete his degree in Radio-Television-Film at The University of Texas at Austin (UT), specializing in documentary and journalism production.

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During his undergraduate studies, he gained hands-on industry experience through:

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• 📰 A two-year internship at the Houston Chronicle – Worked in multimedia production, gaining real-world photojournalism and storytelling expertise.
   

• 🎬 Serving as Multimedia Director for The Daily Texan – Led a team of journalists to produce award-winning multimedia content.
   

• 🎥 Participating in East Austin Stories – Documented and preserved the rich history and culture of East Austin through storytelling.
   

• 📊 Collaborating with the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs – Integrated filmmaking into public policy projects, covering immigration, water infrastructure, and life in Texas colonias along the Rio Grande Valley.
   

• 🌍 Working with Students of the World – Served as a filmmaker and editor, producing media for the Clinton Global Initiative and nonprofits in developing countries. As part of this work, he traveled to India and Kosovo, spending a month in each country creating documentary projects that highlighted community issues, cultural heritage, and social impact efforts. These projects supported nonprofits focused on rural development, economic growth, and infrastructure improvements, contributing to the advancement of underserved communities.

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After completing his degree, he founded Cine Mestizo, a media production company dedicated to storytelling, documentary filmmaking, and cultural preservation. Through Cine Mestizo, he produced films and projects that highlighted community voices, environmental issues, and cultural narratives.

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A decade ago, he transitioned into vocational media education in Houston ISD, where he now mentors the next generation of multimedia professionals. His blend of industry experience and teaching expertise allows students to develop real-world skills in storytelling, production, and digital media.

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Understanding the importance of career training, Elizondo created HTX Voices to equip students with real-world media skills, helping them develop technical expertise, creative expression, and storytelling abilities. As a certified Vocational Media Educator, he combines teaching expertise with industry experience to help young people succeed in multimedia communications.

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HTX Voices: Goals & Training Focus

HTX Voices is designed to:

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🎥 Provide Career-Oriented Training – Hands-on experience in video production, editing, photography, and storytelling.

🎭 Foster Creative Expression – Encouraging students to find and share their unique voices.

🌎 Connect to Real-World Stories – Producing content that uplifts social, environmental, and community narratives.

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Types of Stories Featured

📌 Environmental Stewardship – Documenting sustainability initiatives and community challenges.

📌 Cultural Heritage – Celebrating diverse traditions and histories.

📌 Social Upliftment – Highlighting individuals and groups making a positive impact.

📌 Student Experiences – Sharing personal journeys, challenges, and achievements.
 

Funding & Internships Through XQ Super School Project

From 2020 to 2022, XQ funding played a critical role in launching HTX Voices, providing:
 

💡 Essential equipment and resources for students.

💼 Paid internships, allowing students to gain real-world experience and build portfolios.

🤝 Industry connections, helping students secure opportunities beyond high school.
 

Career Preparation & Workforce Development

HTX Voices is more than storytelling—it’s a career pipeline. Students develop:

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🎬 Technical Skills – Video production, editing, photography, and sound design.

🗣️ Soft Skills – Critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication.

📸 Professional Experience – Through internships, real-world projects, and industry collaborations.
 

Collaborative Growth & Alumni Involvement

Since 2023, HTX Voices alumni have played a vital role in expanding the program by:

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• 🎬 Mentoring current students – Providing guidance in storytelling, media production, and career development.
   

• 📽️ Leading media projects – Alumni have taken the lead in producing high-quality content for organizations and community initiatives.
   

• 🎥 Assisting Furr High School – Supporting school-wide media projects, enhancing the school's digital presence and storytelling efforts
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• 🏞️ Training U.S. Fish and Wildlife Interns – Teaching media production skills to interns working in environmental and conservation-focused storytelling.
   

• 🎓 Directing media internship programs – Helping to develop and oversee internships, ensuring students gain hands-on industry experience.
   

• 🤝 Maintaining strong industry connections – Collaborating with educational institutions, conservation organizations, and media professionals.
   

Alumni involvement ensures HTX Voices continues to thrive, offering students valuable mentorship, career exposure, and real-world production opportunities.

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Aligning with the Portrait of a Graduate

HTX Voices cultivates career-ready students by developing:
 

🎤 Skilled Communicators – Effectively conveying ideas through media.

🔍 Critical Thinkers – Producing content that addresses real-world issues.

💡 Innovative Problem-Solvers – Using creativity and technical skills to craft impactful stories.

🌍 Community Leaders – Engaging with and making a difference through storytelling.
 

Impact & Industry Partnerships

HTX Voices team members have uplifted and consulted media for:

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✅ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

✅ Texas A&M University

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✅ Project RESPECT 

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✅ Furr High School 

✅ Houston ISD Schools

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✅ Student Conservation Association

… and many more.

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Through meaningful projects and collaborations, we are shaping the next generation of storytellers and media professionals.