Q&A with Tiko Reynolds-Hausman, Precinct 2's Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations

I serve as Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations for Precinct 2. I oversee the community centers, parks and trails, transportation, senior services, and call center departments. I also take care of the Precinct 2 grant, health, workforce, and economic development divisions, and Precinct2Gether, the precinct’s non-profit.

First and foremost, I have the pleasure of serving the constituents of Precinct 2. This part of the county has many challenges. Commissioner Garcia is always thinking outside the box, and this allows for creativity and innovation to help solve some of the communities' most difficult issues. Internally, it gives me great pride to be a role model for other women and black employees as there aren’t many blacks or women in executive leadership positions in government.

2. In your previous role, you played an instrumental role in empowering minority-owned businesses in Precinct 2 and beyond. What did you find most rewarding about that type of work?

It is most rewarding to see a minority business win a government contract or when they have that aha moment of understanding that moves them to the next level in their businesses. I have advocated for minority and women-owned businesses for over 18 years, so I have achieved many milestones. I worked alongside my colleagues in local government to reenergize the IMMP Mentor Protégé Program over 10 years ago. It started with four organizations and now includes over seven governmental agencies that are working together to help businesses build capacity and to grow in government contracting.

Precinct 2 recently graduated its first cohort of Biz2Empower a program funded by Commissioner Garcia to teach small businesses how to properly bid and price their products and service to become more competitive in government contracting. With their new skills and knowledge, some businesses secured bids within a few months of completing the class. The bids totaled more than $1 million, collectively. 

3. What does Black History Month mean to you? How do you celebrate it?

Black History Month is a reflection and a reminder of the many contributions Black people have made. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today. It's an opportunity to spotlight and celebrate the achievements African Americans have accomplished in this country, despite the history of racism and oppression.

4. What is your favorite book by a Black author or about Black history and why?

Toni Morrison is one of my favorite black authors. Morrison's writings are centered on rural Afro-American communities and on their cultural inheritance, which she explores with vivid vocabulary and detail. My favorite Morrison book is The Bluest Eye. The novel takes place in Lorain, Ohio (Morrison's hometown), and tells the story of a young African American girl named Pecola who grew up following the Great Depression. Set in 1941, the story is about how she is consistently regarded as "ugly" due to her mannerisms and dark skin. As a result, she develops an inferiority complex, which fuels her desire for the blue eyes which she equates with "whiteness.”

Meet Tiko

Always seizing new opportunities to grow business and revenue for the community, Tiko Reynolds-Hausman cultivates a level of unrivaled confidence from colleagues and constituents alike. She’s been lending her collaborative, results-minded expertise to local government agencies for over 19 years. Currently, Tiko serves as Deputy Chief of Operations for Commissioner Adrian Garcia’s office where she oversees the precincts parks, community centers, workforce, and economic devolvement, as well as Precinct2Gether, the precinct’s nonprofit. Prior to Operations, Tiko served as Deputy Chief, Administrative Services. She led the administrative arm of the operation, overseeing budget and finance, human resources, workforce development, economic development, risk management, safety, and information technology, and acts as the Commissioner’s liaison for major Harris County and community initiatives.

Tiko is a certified Business Mentor with SCORE and has received the Rising Star Recognition from the League of Women Voters Houston and a nomination for the Advocate Award by the Texas Black EXPO. She has also been recognized as a Top 30 Influential Houston Woman, Walkers Legacy Power25, and was recognized as an honoree for the inaugural PoliChic Texas Summer Brunch in July 2022. This honor is given to women who embody and live out the mission of ensuring Texas women have a seat at the decision-making table and work together to lead voter engagement, education, and policy engagement throughout every county in Texas in every aspect of their lives and are making strides in their professions and community. Ms. Hausman is also a recent graduate of the Center for Houston’s Future Business and Civic Leadership Forum and is an alumnus of Leadership Houston, Class XXXII.

Ms. Hausman also serves as on the Board of the Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce and is Vice President of Membership for the League of Women Voters Houston. Tiko was appointed by the president of the Houston Independent School District to serve as their appointed Board Director on the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, TIRZ3 Board, Position 6, Trustee at Large.

Tiko has been married to her high school sweetheart Ray for 23 years. They have 2 amazing children Zoey and Wynton. Zoey is a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA majoring in Forensic Science and Psychology, while Wynton is a Freshman at the Energy Institute in Houston, a high school that focuses and prepares students on STEM-driven career paths.

When this proud mom is not volunteering or serving the community, she enjoys dinner parties with friends and traveling with her family.