Articles

Education in Motion: HCC student finds purpose in the classroom and across Houston as member of the METRO Street Team

Jan 13, 2026


From left to right: Representing METRO are Yesenia Vicente, Street Team member and HCC student; Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock, chair, METRO Board of Directors; Alana Frazier, Street Team member; and Keonte Sowunmi, HCC student and Street Team member. Photo is courtesy of Kayona Bastian, METRO public engagement project manager and Street Team manager.

Pictured from left to right: Representing METRO are Yesenia Vicente, Street Team member and HCC student; Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock, chair, METRO Board of Directors; Alana Frazier, Street Team member; and Keonte Sowunmi, HCC student and Street Team member. Photo is courtesy of Kayona Bastian, METRO public engagement project manager and Street Team manager.


For Houston City College (HCC) student Keonte Sowunmi, learning happens everywhere— whether that’s in the classroom or out in the city helping METRO riders navigate their routes.

When he’s not studying, Sowunmi is on the move as a member of METRO’s Street Team, a customer-facing role he’s held for about a year.

“We travel all around the Houston area –– by rail, bus or foot–– to educate the community about what METRO can offer them,” he explained.

Before joining METRO, Sowunmi worked as a membership lead at the Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA just blocks away from the regional transit authority’s headquarters. Known for his communication skills and customer‑first approach, which he describes as a “gift of gab,” Sowunmi caught the attention of Kayona Bastian, public engagement project manager and Street Team manager, who was interested in a YMCA membership.

“I was giving her a tour,” he recalled. “I mentioned I wasn’t as bubbly as usual, and that conversation turned into an interview opportunity. From there, everything took off.”

Today, as part of the Street Team, Sowunmi serves as a direct, human connection between METRO and the communities it serves. His responsibilities include assisting riders during service interruptions, educating residents about transportation options, supporting marketing efforts and distributing information at community events throughout Houston.

His work often brings him to college campuses, including HCC, which maintains a long-standing partnership with METRO that offers transportation discounts for students.

Public transportation is Sowunmi’s primary way of getting around Houston, making the role a natural fit. Already familiar with transit apps and fare programs, he quickly adapted to the job and found purpose in helping others do the same.

“I really enjoy the educational part of the job,” he shared. “Sometimes I will run into people I met at previous METRO community events. They will thank me and tell me how much I’ve helped them. That’s when you realize you are making an impact.”

Sowunmi moved to Houston from California two years ago and joined HCC in December 2025 during the mini semester. He is currently completing his core coursework and plans to earn his associate degree in May 2027. Afterward, he hopes to transfer to either the University of Houston or University of Houston-Downtown to study finance or business management. He envisions a future career, possibly as a financial consultant or advisor, that allows him to remain people-centered and engaged in the field rather than behind a desk.  

As an HCC student and METRO Street Team member, Sowunmi remains driven by momentum, balancing academics, professional development and service to the community he now calls home.

If you are future-focused and want to start your journey at HCC, visit hccs.edu/apply.