News - Marie D. De Jesús — Photojournalist

Saleen Flores, 18, rests her head on top of her young cousin Eva Castillo, 7, during a family gathering in Houston. Flores lost her mother to COVID-19 on July 4th not long after Flores graduated from high school. As she finds herself navigating toward important steps in her life like possibly starting college, she feels fortunate to have strong support from the rest of her family.

Walter Escobar, 8, becomes emotional as he holds a photo of his family and his father Jose Escobar during a press conference on which Congressman Al Green (TX-09) announces a plan to introduce The Reentry and Reunification Ac

Walter Escobar, 8, becomes emotional as he holds a photo of his family with his father Jose Escobar during a press conference on which Congressman Al Green (TX-09) announces a plan to introduce The Reentry and Reunification Act of 2018, April 6, 2018, in Houston.

Darrington Unit inmates wait for their chance to meet with their families after their commencement ceremony at the prison on Saturday, May 9, 2015, in Rosharon. 33 inmates received a bachelor's degree in biblical studies and

Darrington Unit inmates wait for their chance to meet with their families after their commencement ceremony at prison, May 9, 2015, in Rosharon. 33 inmates received a bachelor's degree in biblical studies and one candidate received a master's in divinity. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ).

Alena Mijares, 5, a member of the Ballet Folklorico Herencia Mexicana de Houston performs wearing a folk dress from Jalisco, Mexico during the Go Tejano Day at the Houston Rodeo, March 8, 2020.

Tierrica Blanche keeps her snake Mia on her lap during a visit to Third Ward, the former neighborhood of George Floyd, June 9, 2020, in Houston. Blanche, her sister and her boyfriend spent the day there in support of the community during George Floyd’s funeral in Houston.

A protestor flips off toward the Puerto Rico governor’s mansion on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, in San Juan in anger several days after large quantities of emergency supply were found in a warehouse in the city of Ponce instead of

A protestor flips off toward the Puerto Rico governor’s mansion, Jan. 20, 2020, in anger several days after large quantities of emergency supply were found in a warehouse in the city of Ponce instead of being distributed to the earthquake victims on the south side of the island.

Earthquake rescuers ask the volunteers to raise their hands as a signal to quiet down to be able to listen to possible victims trapped inside the rubble on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, in Mexico City. 370 people died. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )

After living inside a car after their home got flooded during Hurricane Harvey, Oscar Galindo, Donato Galindo, 2, Oscar Galindo Jr., 11, Andre Galindo, 9, and Maria Rodriguez relax while taking shelter at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Aug. 28, 2017, in Houston. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )

Tianny Jenkins, who is 10 and lives in southeast Houston, had to repeat the second grade and third grade because of problems in school. Her mother’s request to have her evaluated for special education was ignored for more tha

Tianny Jenkins, 10, had to repeat the second grade and third grade because of learning problems in school. Her mother’s request to have her evaluated for special education was ignored for more than two years. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )

Mourners gather by the Santa Fe Junior School where parents are gathering to pick up their children and hear news about the shooting that took place at the Santa Fe High School on Friday, May 18, 2018. ( Marie D. De Jesus / H

A mourner gathers by the Santa Fe Junior School where parents pick up their children and hear news about the shooting that took place at the Santa Fe High School, May 18, 2018. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )

Gail Bullock, 77, embraces his wife Gloria Bullock, 78, in front of a table clothe they use to substitute the window curtains that got destroyed in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Bullock said his home of 14 years in the Bear Creek Village subdivision had never flooded until Harvey. The damage to their home totaled more than $100,000.

Wei-Huan Chen tries to scare ScreamWorld's customers covered in zombie doctor makeup on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in Houston.

Wei-Huan Chen tries to scare ScreamWorld's customers covered in zombie doctor makeup, Oct. 12, 2018, in Houston.

Actor and singer Connie Kissinger at her home, Jan. 4, 2019, in Houston.

Erikka Givens, left, and Hattie Givens, right, share a kiss after Judge Dale Gorczynski, center, pronounce them wife and wife after a ceremony surrounded by families and friends, Aug. 21, 2015, in Houston. Judge Gorczynski considers marrying couples "the happiest part of the job." ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )

The Wild Moccasins' band members are Zahira Gutierrez, Cody Swann, Nicholas Cody, John Baldwin, and Andrew Lee and they are one of Houston's most vibrant bands, Jan. 31, 2014. ( Marie D. De Jesús / Houston Chronicle )

A protestor gets naked making a peace sign with his fingers after the riot police pepper-sprayed the crowd during the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington D.C. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )

Tateyanna Granville cheers for and snaps photos of twin sister Darian Davis, left, as she exits the auditorium during a graduation ceremony of HISD's Young Women's College Preparatory Academy.

Levin Megrelis dances to the tunes of the singing and dancing lobesters on The Sashimi Tabernacle Choir art car on Saturday, April 11, 2015, in Houston. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )

Levin Megrelis dances to the tunes of the singing and dancing lobsters on The Sashimi Tabernacle Choir art car, April 11, 2015, in Houston. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )

President Donald Trump rallies his supporters in Houston encouraging them to vote and re-elect Senator Ted Cruz during a MAGA Rally at the Toyota Center, Oct. 22, 2018, in Houston.

View of the El Volcán de Fuego, also known as "Volcano of Fire" from the Interamerican Highway, releasing smoke behind Acatenango, another volcano joined with Volcán de Fuego, Oct. 3, 2017, in Guatemala. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )

Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia create a perimeter to allow the firefighters to put out a fire after rioters vandalized a limousine protesting the inauguration of Donald Trump as president on Friday

Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia creates a perimeter to allow the firefighters to put out a fire after rioters vandalized a limousine protesting the inauguration of Donald Trump as president, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington D.C. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )