Houston: Celebration of Bosnian-American community success at our meetup
On Sunday, February 15th, the Bosnia & Herzegovina Futures Foundation (BHFF) held its second Houston meetup, bringing together our growing Bosnian-American professional community for an afternoon of connection, purpose, and inspiration.
Hosted at the stunning 7 Riverway residence, the event was made possible thanks to our incredible host, Samir Bećić, who ensured a world-class venue and exceptional catering. Despite relatively short notice, over 40 attendees joined us, an incredible testament to the strength and commitment of our community in Houston.
A Shared Vision for Impact
BHFF Founder Edhem Čustović provided a brief overview of the Foundation’s work, emphasizing the importance of collective effort and structured engagement. He highlighted the programs BHFF has established to give professionals meaningful opportunities to give back to Bosnia & Herzegovina—from mentorship and scholarships to global networking platforms and leadership initiatives that connect our diaspora with the next generation at home.
Our host, Samir Bećić, warmly welcomed everyone and spoke passionately about the importance of bringing together the Bosnian-American community in Houston. He expressed how proud he is of the accomplishments of our professionals and underscored the power of unity, visibility, and shared ambition.
Samir is widely known as Houston’s “Fitness Czar,” a title recognizing his leadership in promoting health and wellness across the city through public-private partnerships and large-scale community fitness initiatives. He is also a recipient of the U.S. President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his long-standing service and impact. Above all, Samir is an extraordinary ambassador for Bosnia & Herzegovina in Houston and across the state of Texas, consistently elevating the image of our homeland through his work and leadership.
During the gathering, Samir also took a meaningful moment to recognize and honor U.S. military veterans Amina Burić and Samra Radomsky, who were present with us. He thanked them for their service and sacrifice, and the room responded with deep appreciation, an emotional reminder of the diverse and impactful paths our community members take.
Honoring Mely and Preserving Her Legacy
Following his presentation, Edhem made an important and heartfelt reflection. Our community recently lost a true fighter, a young woman with a big heart and deep commitment to others, Melisa “Mely” Sehić, who bravely battled cancer. At our previous Houston meetup, Mely joined us alongside her parents and her brother, Samir Sehić.
Samir was with us again at this event and shared a few words about his sister, her strength, and the family’s commitment to preserving her legacy through the establishment of the LittleBoz Foundation (www.littleboz.org). Her parents have devoted significant time and energy to supporting other families navigating similar challenges, turning unimaginable loss into meaningful service for others. As a community, we paused to honor Mely’s life, her courage, and the impact she continues to have. We encourage everyone to learn more about and support the LittleBoz Foundation.
A Community of Global Professionals
The Houston meetup reflected the impressive diversity of our diaspora. Our professionals work across industries including:
Energy & Oil & Gas
Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing
Healthcare & Medicine
Information Technology & Software Development
Finance & Investment
Entrepreneurship & Small Business
Logistics & Operations
Attendees represented or had experience with major organizations such as Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Texas Medical Center institutions, Amazon, Microsoft, and leading regional engineering and consulting firms, alongside founders and executives building their own ventures.
We were also delighted to be joined by a Bosnian couple visiting from Italy, who were in Houston visiting their daughter—another reminder of how global and interconnected our community truly is.
Conversations That Matter
What stood out most was the depth of conversation. Discussions extended well beyond introductions, exploring practical and strategic ways to contribute back to Bosnia & Herzegovina, from investment and mentorship to knowledge transfer, partnerships, and long-term ecosystem building.
The overwhelming sentiment in the room was clear: this community will continue to organize and grow. Houston has firmly established itself as a key hub for BHFF engagement in the United States, and the momentum is only building.
When talented individuals come together with shared roots and shared purpose, powerful outcomes follow. Houston proved once again that our diaspora is not only successful, but ready to act collectively for the benefit of Bosnia & Herzegovina.
