For most people, the World Cup can feel like a spectacle happening somewhere else. Stephanie Coleman is working to make it personal, practical, and deeply local for Houstonians.

Cities love the glow of a major global event. But the real test is whether residents experience that glow as something inclusive, understandable, and worth claiming as their own.

A global tournament can generate instant excitement, but local relevance requires more than buzz. Stephanie Coleman’s approach suggests the answer lies in context, connection, and community.

The World Cup may arrive as a global phenomenon, but its staying power in Houston will depend on whether residents can connect with it close to home. Stephanie Coleman’s strategy is built around exactly that challenge.