Narrative power building requires diverse tactics, strong relationships and a keen analysis of trends, culture and political sentiment. Below are STORIES I’ve Placed or lead to execution that showcase my skills and abilities within THE media landscape. Happy to provide more context upon request.
Media placements
As an advocate for building narrative power, I ensured Houston-based community organizers were at the center of stories in local and national media that advanced the messaging of our issue-based campaigns, amplified our organizing efforts, and archived these legacy neighborhood organizations.
Writing Samples
As a trained grassroots journalist through the Uprising Fellowship operated by Just Media, I’ve honed my writing for a variety of readers: local neighborhoods, regional communities, funding partners, national outreach, and more.
Community Impact: Advocates call for keeping communities in tact as Houston ISD redraws trustee districts
Press Release: Residents and Organizers Publicize Proposed Map for HISD Redistricting Plan – Houston, TX
“Organizers and residents publish a proposed HISD trustee map that amplifies voices of AAPI, Black, Latinx and immigrant communities. The Southwest Houston neighborhoods of Gulfton, Sharpstown, Mid-West and Westwood have been historically underrepresented and under-resourced. Under Plans A and D proposed by the Board, Southwest Houston – a clear community of interest – is split among Districts V, VI, and VII. In addition, the current trustee map splits North Forest between Districts II and XIII. The Houston in Action map proposal keeps these communities intact within Districts VI and II respectively, ensuring residents are able to advocate for their collective needs within their district.
‘Redistricting will affect communities’ representation for the next ten years,’ says Juan Cardoza-Oquendo, Director of Public Policy and Elections at Houston in Action. ‘Communities deserve to be a part of the redistricting process that directly impacts their neighborhoods.’ The coalition urges the Board to draft a redistricting plan that keeps Southwest Houston communities together. The map proposed by the coalition is directly informed by suggestions from parents, residents, and advocates working across Houston’s diverse communities.”
Houston Chronicle: Opinion: It wasn’t all peaceful. What HPD doesn’t want you to know about Houston’s George Floyd protest
“Protesters said they were detained on buses for hours, held in cages in a gym and spent the night in the holding facility well into the next day. Protesters detailed their experience with HPD mismanaging their paperwork , withholding proper sustenance and denying them necessary resting conditions all without social distancing . Protester Acinagoth Mabor, 21, confirmed these conditions.
In a recent statement, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg wrote, “Out of a total of 654 individuals criminally charged as a result of the protests, only 51 adults and one juvenile now remain charged with active cases. We will always protect the First Amendment rights of peaceful protesters.”
Rather than publicly pat themselves on the back for their restraint, Acevedo and others in his command staff should hold their officers accountable in the instances where they abused power and infringed on people’s collective right to assemble.
Not only do the shameful actions and arrests by the HPD demean the protest on behalf of George Floyd, but they may stifle future demonstrations against injustice.
The #HoustonProtestTrap taught us something, though. People of Houston can rally together anywhere, be it on the streets, behind a hashtag or behind bars. A trap is only a trap if there is no way out, and Houston folks have proven you can always make it out if you can make it through.”
Prism Reports: ‘Defund the Police’ is not a slogan. It’s a demand
“When Houstonians adopted the phrase “Defund the Police,” coined out of movements from Black activists and critical thinkers, it was not merely a slogan for the sake of a few chants. It is to speak life into a future in which our power is returned to us. Unlike our infamous “Be someone” and “clutch city” slogans, “Defund the Police” is a demand—one that Houstonians expect their elected officials to uphold.
It is to trust that the constituents know which departments do and do not serve them. It is to acknowledge the harm that the HPD has enacted against the Houston community and to advocate for its funding to be reallocated. It is to recognize the programs and departments that are severely under resourced and to invest in them instead. It is to offer additional community-driven, community-led organizations that address needs directly as a model for neighborhoods across the city.”
websites, Landing pages & Recaps
Poetry Media Placements
Both personally and professionally, I’ve managed the media and communications strategy as the city of Houston’s Poet Laureate position from 2023-2025.
Complex, Houstonia, Chron, Houston Chronicle, Houston Arts Journal, Defender Network, Houston Landing, Houston Public Media, Library Journal, UH Magazine, CityCast Houston
Chron, Houston’s youngest poet laureate Aris Brown plans to build community through poetry
Defender Network, Meet Houston’s new Poet Laureate Aris Kian Brown
Complex, Award-Winning Poets React to Drake’s New Poetry Book
Houstonia Mag, Aris Kian Is Rewriting the Rules as Houston Poet Laureate
UH Magazine, Helping Houstonians Find Their Voice
Library Journal, LJ Talks with Aris Kian, Houston’s Poet Laureate
Houston Public Media, Using art to promote solidarity between Houston’s Asian and Black communities
CityCast Houston, Are Houstonians Ready to Break Up With the City?
Houston Public Media, National Poetry Month: “Angels Fly to My Place for Dinner” by Aris Kian
Houston Public Media, Houston Matters: Happy Houston (May 2, 2025)
ARIS KIAN. 