Prairie View is a small city in Waller County, northwest of Houston. The population of Prairie View is less than 9,000. Eighty-five percent (85%) of Prairie View’s population is Black. Prairie View is the largest Black populated city in America. The city of Prairie View was established in 1969 with the motto: “Productive, United, and Indomitable”. The city is governed by a strong mayoral form of government. The mayor serves as both city council chair and chief executive administrator.
The median income of residents is 25,000.00 per year. Approximately (25%) of the population is below the poverty level. The city is primarily noted for Prairie View A&M University, the second oldest public university in the state of Texas.
Prairie View A&M University is an acclaimed HBCU. Prairie View A & M University was established in 1876. Its cur- rent student population is (9,893). PVAMU’s Motto is: “Changemakers are bred here, Pioneers emerge here, and Excellence lives here”. What a Godly Motto! PAMUV’s President, Dr. Tomikia LaGrande is noted for her intellectual expertise in strategic plan- ning and student development success outcomes. Recently, Mayor Ronald Leverette and Dr. LaGrande had an in-depth strategic planning session concerning collaboration between the city of Prairie View and Prairie View A & M University.
One of the primary discussion items was about student housing developmental capacity as well as discussions concern- ing improving the overall quality of communal life both for the community as well as the student population. An off-campus housing initiative is of the utmost importance to the overall developmental well-being of PVAMU as well as for the city of Prairie View. For example, PVAMU received (10,819) applications for its in-coming (2025) freshman class but only had the capacity to accept a freshman class enrollment of (8,457). This is a positive challenge, as Prairie View can use selective admissions to raise standards and improve student performance, unlike many other HBCUs. Con- sequently, PVAMU does not have an enrollment problem. Thereby, potentially improving graduation rates.
Another discussion point was improving the quality and community accountability of policing both on campus as well as in the city. Policing in the twenty-first century, particularly in college towns, raises a range of sensitivity issues. Consequently, the Prairie View Police Chief and the PVAMU Campus Police Chief are working together to enhance public safety and community well-being concerns. Additionally, Mayor Ronald Leverette has secured a once in a lifetime industrial job creating/developing contractual relationship with OYH Construction Materials Company.
OYH will build a 100-million-dollar plant, and OYH has 30 years of
