Director TaKashaL. Francis is a respected attorney and a natural and driven leader dedicated to producing results.TaKashais a native Houstonian and graduate of Texas Southern University and Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
TaKasha received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication, with a minor in Broadcast Journalism, from Texas Southern University in 1999. She appeared on the Dean’s List from 1997-1999, and was the sole recipient of the Houston Advertising Federation Minority Diversity Scholarship in 1999. The National Council of Negro Women and Aunt Jemima Brands paid national tribute to her as a Woman of Wonder that same year. She not only excelled academically, but as a nationally and internationally ranked debater and orator on the world –renowned Texas Southern University Debate Team. She achieved prominence as a debater landing honors in Madrid, Spain (1995), Athens, Greece (1996), London, England (1997), and Rome, Italy (1999).
TaKasha received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the esteemed Thurgood Marshall School of Law in May 2003. She continued her academic excellence by appearing on the Dean’s List and was honored in Who’s Who: American Law Students(2002-2003). The National Association of Women Lawyers named her Outstanding Law Student of the Year (2003). She excelled as a moot court competition champion garnering regional and national honors. Additionally, she has captured numerous honors and awards in Mock Trial and Client Counseling competitions. She held membership and offices in several organizations during law school: James M. Douglas Board of Advocates, the National Black Law Students Association, the American Bar Association-Student Division, and Student Bar Association.
TaKasha’s expertise in child support establishment and enforcement is attributed to her seven years of distinguished service as an Assistant Attorney General for the Child Support Division. During her tenure at the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, she secured thousands of dollars in child support collections and tried numerous cases with winning results!
In 2012, she founded the law firm, The Francis Firm P.C., a boutique law firm with a practice emphasis in the areas of Family Law and Civil litigation. She is an aggressive and successful litigator that is well respected within Houston’s legal community. Her professional affiliations include Houston Black Lawyers Association (Executive Board Member, 2004-2006), Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Fraternity, State Bar of Texas -Family Law Section, National Association of Women Lawyers, the Downtown Group, National Congress of Black Women, and the College of the State Bar of Texas, an honorary society of lawyers who are among the best trained attorneys in Texas.
TaKasha was appointed the Director of Neighborhoods for the City of Houston by Mayor Sylvester Turner March 25, 2016, and unanimously confirmed by Houston City Council March 30, 2016.
The Department of Neighborhoods is dedicated to improving quality of life in Houston neighborhoods through the delivery of services, innovative programs and strong community partnerships. As Director she oversees five divisions that focus on city code enforcement and compliance, gang and juvenile delinquency prevention and public awareness, youth leadership development, volunteerism, international communities and the needs and concerns of people with disabilities.
TaKasha is highly committed to uplifting all neighborhoods within the City of Houston and resolving their issues. TaKasha believes that everyone deserves a beautiful place to live!
TaKasha is proud to be a graduate of the Inaugural Class of the Houston Black Leadership Institute, a program developed by the Greater Houston Black Chamber that consists of bright, young professionals who are dedicated in becoming leaders in the community. TaKasha is currently a member of Class 35 of Leadership Houston, a signature 10-month program of diverse community leaders which offers insight into Houston’s major community issues, and develops capacity to be extraordinary transformational leaders in current and future organizations. TaKasha has been honored as one of the Top 40 Attorneys Under 40 by the National Black Lawyers Organization (2016), Top 50 Black Attorneys in Houston by the D-Mars Business Journal (2014), and Houston’s 40 Attorneys Under 40 to Watch by i10 media magazine (2014). She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.