Author: Danny Barrera

Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin 1st Annual MLK Chili Cookoff

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Odessa, Texas/January 18, 2026-The Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin held their Inaugural MLK Chili Cookoff this past Saturday hosted by the Woodson Boys and Girls Club. Competitors created their homemade chili from recipes handed down from one generation to the next. The money raised from the cookoff will benefit community organizations that are part of the BCCPB. 

(Chris E. Walker, President/CEO-Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin/Odessa, Texas) 

“The money raised from the event is intended to benefit different organizations. Specifically, they will be able to help organizations that have joined their chamber and are “lacking in funds” with a donation.” 

Several candidates running for local political office took advantage of the MLK Chili Cookoff by sponsoring the event, setting up informational tables, and connecting directly with visitors throughout the day. 

(Crystal Zorano Rios, Candidate for Ector County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4) 

“I’m just here just to get my name out there. And because I am running for justice of the peace number four, and I’m just here for the to help the people.” 

Judges had a hard time deciding which was the best Chili. After the tally, the MLK Chili Cookoff awarded trophies and plaques for 1st Place to 6th Place. 

(Chris Harris, Judge-1st Annual MLK Chili Cookoff) 

The MLK Chili Cookoff is one of many events scheduled by the Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin. 

(Chris E. Walker, President/CEO-Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin/Odessa, Texas) 

“The next event mentioned is the Black History Month billboard display, where a different individual will be featured each day for the entire month of February.” 

The Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin was overwhelmed by the success of the Chili Cookoff, which drew a large crowd and strong community support. For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

Odessa Junior Leadership hosted by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce at ORMC

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Odessa, Texas/January 14, 2026-The Odessa Chamber of Commerce recently kicked off Junior Leadership Odessa hosted by Odessa Regional Medical Center. 44 Odessa High School Juniors engaged in an intensive program learning about the inner workings of their community including local government, healthcare, business and other social services. 

(Allison Gray, Marketing and Communications, Odessa Chamber of Commerce/Odessa, Texas) 

“It’s for juniors across the community. We have representatives from all the schools across the area. Um, and so they get to see the back ends of Odessa and really get to see how, um, we run, and you know, how our community thrives”. 

The Junior Leadership program helps Junior class High School Students to break out of their comfort zone and brings them to work together on projects collectively. 

(Rebecca Tepe, Odessa Junior Leadership Program) 

“It helps people get out of their shell and get to know different people. And I’ve seen it so far of, you know; you can kind of tell the ones that are a little laid back, kind of quiet, and I see them getting involved, and that’s great. You know, a lot of times kids need that little extra courage. Um, so they have been doing amazing all day”. 

(Kaleah Lewis, Oceans Healthcare-YPO/Odessa) 

“So, leadership is all about being able to work together as a team, and you got to get out of your comfort zone. You get to meet new people. You get to learn how they think and how they’re able to structure things. You get to ask the hard questions, and it just brings you together to be a better leader. It’s not about one person; it’s about a team of people to create the leadership”. 

The 2026 Junior Leadership Odessa Program is made possible through the support of the Permian Basin Area Foundation and the local business community, that enables local students an opportunity to participate in this leadership development program. 

(Mallory Hough, Odessa Collegiate Academy 11th Grade Student/Odessa, Texas) 

“Getting into this program was really I was like looking at the itinerary. It’s like education, law, medical. So, it’s everything that I’m kind of like, what if? So being able to put my feet in and be like, oh my gosh, that really drew my interest or that really drew my interest, I think it will really help me in furthering my career”. 

For more information on the Junior Leadership Odessa Program, contact the Odessa Chamber of Commerce. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

New Hispanic Female Owned Notary & Tax Firm in Southside Odessa

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Odessa, Texas/January 10, 2026-A new Tax and Notary service has opened its doors at the former Carol’s Ambulance building located at 126 S. Dixie Blvd. In Odessa. Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick, City Councilman at Large Craig Stoker and City Councilman, District One Eddie Mitchell welcomed the new minority owned business to Odessa. 

(Eddie Mitchell, Councilman, District 1-City of Odessa, Texas) 

(Cal Hendrick, Odessa Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas) 

Hispanic Heritage of Odessa, LULAC and the Odessa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held a special ribbon cutting ceremony to introduce the new Alejandra Loera Notary and Tax Firm and her staff to guests. 

(Alejandra Loera, Owner/Operator-Alejandra Loera Notary and Tax Firm/Odessa, Texas) 

Several Hispanic nonprofit organizations like ENTRE GUERRERAS, UNA MANO AMIGA, THE PEACE ACADEMY OF WEST TEXAS attended the special ceremony. 

(Rocio Marti -Founder-Entre Guerreras-Nonprofit Organization) 

As the tax season begins, Alejandra Loera Notary and Tax Firm will handle individual and business tax returns. For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

Odessa Arts & the BCCO Presents Soul Circuit Juneteenth Rodeos in Texas

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Odessa, Texas/January 7, 2026-Odessa Arts and the Black Cultural Council of Odessa present Soul Circuit Juneteenth Rodeos in Texas. During the late 70’s, Black Communities across Texas organized their own local rodeos for cowboys and cowgirls who were excluded from white-sponsored events. 

(Jo Ann Davenport Littleton, Executive Director-Black Cultural Council of Odessa) 

The Soul Circuit Juneteenth Rodeos in Texas are powerful black and white photographs by Sarah Bird reflect a jubilant time of small-town rodeos for Black cowboys across America. 

(Maggie Marmolejo, Interim Executive Director-Odessa Arts/Odessa, Texas) 

The Exhibition features 43 dynamic photographs of Juneteenth rodeos from early-morning preparations to late-night celebrations. The Gallery is going on now through January 15th at the Gertrude Bruce Cultural Center located at 1020 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, in Odessa, Texas.  

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera 

Gorilla Heavy Hitters Boxing Hosts Toy Give-Away #christmaspresents #children #christmasjoy

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Odessa, Texas/December 20, 2025-This is DRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS. Gorilla Heavy Hitters Boxing in Odessa invites families for a toy giveaway. 

The toy give-away event is Monday, December 22nd from 5pm to 9pm at Gorilla Heavy Hitters Boxing located at 607 Royalty Ave. In Odessa. I’m Alfredo Chung for DRB Media Communications Digital News. 

MASA BAKERY in Odessa Preparing for ROSCAS DE REYES (Kings Bread)

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Odessa, Texas/December 18, 2025-David, Masa Bakery in Odessa is getting ready for the traditional sweet bread that brings Hispanic families together. 

Rosca de Reyes or Kings Bread is a traditional sweet bread that symbolizes the Three Wise Men who visited baby Jesus. The traditional sweet bread is celebrated on January 6th the Epiphany. 

(Daniel Morales, Owner/Operator-MASA BAKERY/Odessa, Texas) 

The KIngs Bread is decorated with candied fruits. Small figurines of baby Jesus are placed inside the sweet bread adding excitement to the celebration. 

(Daniel Morales, Owner/Operator-MASA BAKERY/Odessa, Texas) 

Masa Bakery will begin baking the Rosca De Reyes right after Christmas so call or go by MASA BAKERY to place your order for the very special sweet bread. 

(Daniel Morales, Owner/Operator-MASA BAKERY/Odessa, Texas) 

Once again, make sure you order your Rosca De Reyes now at Masa Bakery in Odessa. The special sweet bread will be available right after Christmas. For DRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS, I’m Mary Elizabeth Franco.