Raquel Boujourne is a nationally recognized builder, fearless advocate, and proven community leader. Throughout her career, she has created jobs, revitalized underserved neighborhoods, and sparked meaningful change across Harris County. Most recently, her bold stance at the Harris County Commissioners Court made headlines, igniting a movement for greater accountability and transparency in local government. Raquel has also stood firmly with law enforcement in the fight for pay parity, underscoring her belief that public safety is vital to ensuring Harris County thrives.

 

For more than 16 years, Raquel has been a trailblazer in construction—making history as the first woman to build a bridge in her county and earning national recognition as Good Morning America’s Small Business Super Hero. Her story reflects the very heart of the American Dream—built on grit, perseverance, and faith. From humble beginnings, she became the first in her family to graduate from college, earning her degree from the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business, all while launching a construction company during the 2009 recession that was later named the #1 fastest-growing firm to watch by UH’s Cougar 100.

 

Her family’s journey is rooted in resilience. Descended from cotton pickers in Kennedy, Texas, Raquel’s grandfather—an Army Airborne Ranger and two-time Purple Heart recipient—broke barriers by moving to Houston’s East End for a better life for his girls. Raised by a single mother who worked three jobs, Raquel learned early the values of strength, service, and determination. Those lessons became the foundation of her life’s work.

 

In 2022, she and her husband founded The Boujourne Foundation to break generational cycles through faith-based values, education, and workforce development. From providing more than 100,000 meals across Houston to creating mentorship programs that connect youth with professionals, Raquel has dedicated her platform to lifting others and equipping communities with the tools to succeed