Marissa Saenz

I rang the bell! In November 2024, I went in for my first mammogram and ended up being diagnosed with Stage 2 Triple-Positive breast cancer. Since then, life has been a blur of 6 months of brutal chemo (bell #1), surgery, radiation (bell #2), and then another 6 months of chemo that was slightly less brutal. (bell #3). I can say this has been the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through. There were stretches where I’d be completely wiped out for over a week after treatment. Sick, exhausted, emotional, uncomfortable in my own body, and just trying to get through the day. To my Rukaz team, Pam, Karen, Sergio, and Elsa, I love y’all deeply. There were clients who had no idea I was still in treatment, and that says everything about how strong this team is. Y’all carried so much when I physically couldn’t. You protected the work, protected the company, and protected me. To our partners at Trill Multicultural and Heist Agency, thank you for continuing to trust us with major opportunities and continuing to move with us during this season. That support meant more than you know. To my husband, thank you for being at every chemo session with me and seeing me through the absolute ugliest parts of this. You saw me weak, sick, emotional, miserable, scared… all of it. And you never once made me feel alone. To my kids, thank you for stepping up for me and for each other when I couldn’t always be everything I wanted to be. To my family, thank you for the prayers, the check-ins, the food, the rides, the love, the support, and for holding us down in every way possible. To my cousins, thank you for all the hard work you put in to throw fundraisers. Love showed up through gift baskets, handmade art, soups, meals, cookies, care packages, and thoughtful gestures that reminded me I am loved. Every single one meant more than I can explain during some really hard days. And a special thank you to my dear friend and mentor Shelly, who guided me through this with the research, side effect cliff notes, and the constant reminder that “you can do hard things.” I still have 4 more years of daily hormone suppressants ahead, but finishing chemo feels like getting part of my life back.

Digital Underground

@pepsi @digitalundergroundofficial

We’re continuing our Women’s History Month spotlight this week by highlighting the dynamic women on the Houston Music Advisory Board! 🎉 Their leadership, vision, and creative thinking are making a lasting impact on our city’s music scene. Let’s give some flowers to these ladies: 💐 Gracie Chavez, HMAB Founder/Secretary & Co-Founder, Bombón Texas 💐 Marissa Saenz - HMAB Vice-Chair & Marketing Director/Founder, Rukaz Kultura 💐 Dria Thornton - HMAB Treasurer, Talent Buyer, HoustonLive; Co-Founder, Frontrunnaz Entertainment; Co-Producer, Houston Bluesfest 💐 Ericka De Leon (BabyGirl) - CEO of Bgirl City Worldwide 501c(3), Board of Directors at Houston’s Fresh Arts, and Program Director at Break Free Hip Hop School 💐 Tracy DeJarnett - Founder/Managing Director of HoustonLive + BrandSoup Agency LLC ✨ And special thanks to our social media manager, Boma Cheetham-West of BomaCurates! These women represent the many ways music continues to move our city forward. Swipe through to learn more about each of them and how they’ve helped shape and strengthen Houston’s music ecosystem. #WomensHistoryMonth #WomeninMuaic #HoustonMusic #HoustonArts #MusicCommunity

Last month, our Board members were invited to attend the Sound Development Conference in Los Angeles, hosted by @sound_diplomacy ! 🎶 If you’ve been following the Houston Music Board for a while, you may recognize Sound Diplomacy from the listening session panel we hosted a couple of years ago. That conversation sparked deeper discussions about the role music plays in shaping our city’s cultural and economic future. The Sound Development Conference continued that dialogue on a bigger stage by bringing together global leaders from music, entertainment, real estate, and government to explore how cultural infrastructure can transform cities and economies across the U.S. and beyond. 🌎 Opportunities like this allow us to learn from other leaders, bring new ideas back to Houston, and continue working toward a stronger, more connected music industry here at home! ✨ A big shoutout to Shain, Jett and the entire SD team for including Houston! 🤘 Follow HMAB for updates on Houston’s music community, local opportunities, and the work being done to strengthen our city’s music ecosystem! Do you want to see more listening sessions like the Sound Diplomacy panel? #HoustonMusic #HoustonMusicAdvisoryBoard #HoustonMusicians #HoustonArtist

Happy Birthday to my partner in everything. As we grow older together, I’m more proud of you than ever. This past year wasn’t easy, but having you by my side through my health journey, business journey, and family journey made all the difference. You show up with strength, patience, and love, and our kids get to see firsthand what it means to be a great father and husband. Watching you grow in your career, stretch your talent, and bring ideas to life after years of practice and learning honestly amazes me. Here’s to many more birthdays, more wins, more lessons, and more life together. I love you. 🤍 @ichikara_valdez

Congrats to @ichikara_valdez on previewing a teaser of his documentary “Making the Brand” featuring @theministerofstyle @styeezbymikec @alchemistry.design . Shot by @frederick_thuglass Narrated by @hd_stewartjr . S/o @houstonartsalliance Houston Filmmaker Grant and @cinemasocietyhtx

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor our roots while shaping the future. For Marissa Saenz — owner of Rukaz, an East End experiential marketing and event production agency now celebrating its 7th year — that means elevating live experiences and weaving culture into every detail. Rukaz has produced activations for national brands like Spotify and Nike as well as landmark community events including Houston’s Thanksgiving Parade. As a member of the Houston Music Advisory Board, Marissa is committed to ensuring Houston’s creative community has the recognition it deserves on a national stage.

Feliz cumpleaños. Te quiero mucho Lorenza Reyes.

🔥 Join us and picnic on hill this Saturday, August 16th, 8PM for the 5th Annual Miller Summer Mixtape presented by @phoeniciafoods at @milleroutdoor ! 🎉🎶 🎤🎶 This year’s lineup features some of Houston’s hottest indie artists, including @astroinnmusic , @astralacemusic , @vortxzofficial , @mohawkstevedj , and Hosted by @alexjmiddleton from 94.5 The Buzz. Always Free at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Bring your own picnic!!!!

🫀🪶Native Soul: Heritage Photo Series celebrates our Indigenous ancestral roots and honors the importance of preserving cultural identity. These images symbolize the journey of reclaiming history, confronting painful narratives of erasure, and celebrating our diversity while carrying our heritage forward with pride. Thank you to my family and friends who’ve been part of this project so far.  Grant applications are going in. Fingers crossed one comes through so I can continue this work and keep telling your stories. 📸 @violetaalvarezphoto #IndigenousRoots #documentaryphotography #mexicanphotographer #chicanaart #chicanoart #bwphotography #portraitphotography

Today’s the day—our Yssandra is graduating high school 🥹🎓 From her first day of Pre-K3 to now… time flies way too fast. So grateful to have her grad photos taken by my dear friend (and insanely talented photographer) @violetaalvarezphoto . Having her capture this moment for us made it all the more meaningful. Here’s to the next chapter 🖤 #ClassOf2025 #ProudMama