As part of our Voices of Houston, we are honoring members who work hard to make a difference.

We’ve been asking what Black History Month means to you. And we received a variety of answers, and thought we’d highlight some of the responses.

HOUSTON – A group of unsung heroes is getting well-deserved recognition as the faces of Discovery Green’s latest art installation and exhibit. The Houston community is made better by his unwavering spirit and commitment. Driven to increase awareness and acceptance of the neurodiverse population at every societal level, Russo is deeply involved in the Houston community from the workplace to broader social activities. The art installation and exhibit at Discovery Green is open to the public from December 12 through January 18. KPRC 2′s Voices of Houston and Houston Life are proud partners on this project honoring our community’s unsung heroes.

Archived photo from Woodallen Media (Woodallen Photography Houston 2014)The photography company has been family owned and operated by four generations of photographers, which include Alan Montgomery, the grandson of Woody, who started working with the company at eight years old and purchased the company from his grandfather in 1974. In honor of the gentlemen’s service, the photography company began an outreach program in 2005 and provided free portraits for veterans at Fort Hood. It was a pleasure meeting our country’s heroes and their families during our Portraits for War Veterans event. Our “Portraits for War Veterans” event is underway! “It’s good memories for them to come together with their family and to have that as a photograph.”Family portrait from 'Portraits for War Veterans' event (Woodallen Media)Those who participated in the ’Portraits for War Veterans' shoot received digital copies of their portraits.

Related: This Houston hairstylist is on a mission to empower breast cancer patientsAt the time, co-founders Dorothy Gibbons and Dr. Dixie Melillo were working at Bayshore Medical Center. We were seeing a lot of late-stage breast cancer,” said Gibbons, co-founder of The Rose. In 1986, The Rose began its operation, becoming the first nonprofit breast cancer organization based on the insured covering the costs of the uninsured. According to The Rose, this program ensures any woman has access to breast cancer screening, diagnosis and care. “We call our women ‘Sponsored Women’ because we think everyone sometimes in their life needs a little help,” said Gibbons.

HOUSTON – For some students in Houston, music, art, dance or theater programming may not always be available in school. Born in El Paso, Texas, Alice Valdez began her music career in elementary school. “My mother decided that all of us were going to play instruments," recalled Valdez, founder of MECA. All they had was maybe visual art and general music," said Valdez. For more than four decades, MECA has provided artistic programming, educational resources and services to underserved students and adults.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, Voices of Houston is spotlighting Larry Savala. Voices of Houston, Larry Savala (KPRC)How are you involved in our community? Larry Savala and his late son Larry G. Savala (KPRC)Why is it important to give back to the community? Larry Savala and his family (KPRC)What legacy do you hope to leave behind? Larry Savala at annual Larry's Gift Celebration (KPRC)Final Thoughts?

HOUSTON – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and what better time to highlight the work that a local hairstylist has been doing to assist patients dealing with hair loss during treatment. Venita Graves (Beauty Beyond Breast Cancer)“17 years ago, I was doing my self-exam and I found a lump. We lift their esteem, motivate them and inspire them to feel that (there’s) beauty beyond breast cancer. The effect is an unforgettable experience for cancer patients and survivors. To donate or to connect with Beauty Beyond Breast Cancer, click here.