FAMU representatives assist a prospective student during a recruitment event, providing information about scholarship opportunities, academic programs and pathways to enrollment. (Photo courtesy of Ernest Nelfrard.) Florida A&M University (FAMU) is bringing its recruitment efforts to Tampa Bay this November. Representatives from the historically Black university will visit St. Petersburg College's Gibbs Campus on Nov. 18, followed by a recruitment stop at the Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC in...

Brian Butler, president and CEO of Vistra Communications. Brian Butler, founder, president and CEO of Vistra Communications, has been named the 28th Chair of the Tampa Bay Partnership. The coalition works with employers and non-profit organizations to address challenges facing the Tampa Bay community. “I’m honored to serve as Chair of the Tampa Bay Partnership and grateful to Nikky Flores and the chairs before her, whose leadership built the strong foundation we stand on today,” said Butler...

From left to right: Tampa Bay Regional Director of Operation New Hope Natasha Goodley, President & CEO of Visit Tampa Bay Santiago Corada, Founder & CEO of CDC of Tampa Chloe Coney, Urban League Florida Suncoast President & CEO Nikki Gaskin-Capehart, Commissioner Gwen Myers, Rep. Elect Jacqueline Coffie-Leeks and State Rep. Elect Kyandra Darling CEO Nikki Gaskin-Capehart laid out her long-term community impact plans that include affordable housing and a potential national presence to the...

Robin Lockett, regional director of the Tampa Bay Region of Florida Rising. With Election Day less than three weeks away, Florida voters are preparing to head to the polls to determine who represents them at the state, federal, and local levels. The state’s mandatory early-voting period for the 2026 general election runs from Oct. 24 through Oct. 31. Florida law allows county supervisors of elections to offer additional early-voting days beginning as early as Oct. 19 and extending through...

Actor Jasmine Guy (Instagram) The scrutiny surrounding actor Jasmine Guy raises a larger question about beauty, respect, and who gets permission to grow older. “Black don’t crack” is something we often say with pride. But what happens when a Black woman looks her age? Does the admiration disappear? The recent criticism of actor Jasmine Guy presented an uncomfortable discussion point about aging. Guy, 64, recently became the subject of online commentary about her appearance following her...

Image of Dr. B. Lee Green (Right) and Dr. Kevin B. Sneed (Left) Growing up in the Black community, many of us were handed a definition of manhood forged in survival. We were taught to be strong, to shoulder the weight of our families, to handle our business without complaint, and never to let anyone see us sweat. There is unquestionable honor in that resilience. It is a stoicism that carried our fathers and grandfathers through generations of adversity. But somewhere along the way, we made a...

Left: Oscar Horton, Chairman & CEO, Sun State International Trucks & Founder, Horton Holdings; Right: Troy Taylor, CEO of Coca-Cola Beverages Florida. Oscar Horton and Troy Taylor shared with Power Broker how they built profitable businesses and what it takes to succeed. Two Black Tampa Bay CEOs are being recognized by Forbes. Troy Taylor, the founder, chairman and CEO of Coke Florida, and Oscar Horton, the chairman and CEO of Sun State International and founder of Horton Holdings, made...

Holly Lassiter with her mother, the late Theresa A. Lassiter (Photo courtesy of Holly Lassiter) “It’s honoring Momma Tee.” — Holly Lassiter Holly Lassiter says she is working on learning everything her mother left behind. Lassiter is the daughter of the late Theresa Lassiter, affectionately known as “Momma Tee,” a St. Petersburg grassroots community activist. With the help of supporters and community leaders, Lassiter is resurrecting one of her mother’s most prized community endeavors:...

David Jolly speaks to crowd at The Skills Center on Sept. 24 ( Photo by Alexia McKay) On Sept. 24, David Jolly, the Democratic candidate for governor in Florida, sat down with residents for a candid town hall meeting at The Skills Center in East Tampa. “Change is coming,” he captioned the event and posted a series of images on his Instagram page. Over 500 people attended the sold-out town hall, moderated by journalist and legal analyst Katie Phang and Sen. Fentrice Driskell. Each shared...

Arts Conservatory for Teens in St. Petersburg. A St. Petersburg non-profit organization has secured a historic partnership with one of the largest entertainment and concert promotion companies in the world. The Arts Conservatory for Teens (ACT), which is dedicated to exposing underserved and at-risk teens to creative arts, has partnered with premiere promotional company Live Nation to give local teens the opportunity to explore careers in live entertainment. ACT CEO and President Dr. Alex...

Roxanne Bartley, global chief revenue officer at TRAKAmerica; Bryce Bowden, commercial real estate specialist with Turner Cole Company Two Black business and community leaders are bringing their experience and perspectives to one of the Tampa Bay area’s most influential philanthropic organizations. Roxanne Bartley and Bryce Bowden have been appointed to the Community Foundation Tampa Bay Board of Trustees. They are among five new members joining the board as the foundation continues...

A mixer hosted by the FAMU NAA Tampa Chapter. The FAMU National Alumni Association Chapter celebrates a milestone with its membership engagement. The chapter recently won the award for largest percentage increase of chapter membership. Between 2025-2026, membership increased 55% from the 2024-2025 year. Chapter President LaKetra Claiborne says when she began her term, the Tampa chapter had 120 members on its roster. By the end of the membership year, that number had grown to 219 members....

Kamilah Perry, 9th Judicial Circuit Judge Kamilah Perry, a Stetson University College of Law alumna, has been elected a circuit judge in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit. Perry defeated Steve Kerestes. Her endorsements included Sen. LaVon Bracey Davis and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Ballotpedia reports. “From the very bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who supported, encouraged, prayed for, and stood with me throughout this campaign. I am truly humbled and deeply grateful for every...

Baby girl playing in her playroom (Stock) Expecting parents and families with young children will have a chance to explore healthcare, childcare and other parenting resources at the Family Vibes Baby Expo from Sept. 19–20 at the Tampa Convention Center. Organizers expect 4,000 to 5,000 attendees over the two days and nearly 50 local businesses will be participating, including Power Broker’s news correspondent, Alexia McKay, who will be debuting her The Crowned Assignment brand. This is a...

TEDx Speaker Michelle Gines Florida speaker, publishing consultant and authority strategist Michelle "MG" Gines recently took to the TEDx stage with a message that challenges one of leadership's most accepted assumptions – that the most effective leaders are always the loudest voices in the room. During her TEDxThirdWard presentation, “The Quiet Extrovert Advantage: Say Less, Become M.O.R.E.,’’ Gines explored the hidden pressure many extroverts experience to constantly contribute, energize...

The historic Jackson House on E. Zack Street in Tampa. Leaders working to preserve Tampa’s historic Jackson House say the landmark’s recent partial collapse does not mark the end of the building or its story. A section of the deteriorating structure on East Zack Street collapsed over Labor Day weekend, renewing concerns about the future of one of Tampa’s last surviving landmarks tied to the city’s once-thriving Black business district. Jackson House Foundation leaders said the organization...

Funding will help bring a new destination for Black history, arts and cultural programming to historic West Tampa

Local leaders amplify why Americans cannot afford to stay home on Election Day 2026

Left to right: Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis, Byron Donalds, City Commissioner Cynthia Moore Chestnut Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis recently said she is "deeply disappointed" about the decision Cynthia Moore Chestnut, Gainesville city commissioner at-large, made to endorse gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds. On Sept. 3, Chestnut announced her support of Donalds, who is a Republican. She wrote in a Facebook post that she is a “ Black Democrat” and is not confused about who she was or what she believed. ...

The 10th XCEL Summit takes place in Orlando from Oct. 21-23. Some of the nation’s most influential Black men in the fields of business, entertainment, sports and public service will head to Florida this fall as BLACK ENTERPRISE brings its XCEL Summit for Men to Orlando. The three-day summit, set for Oct. 21–23 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort, is built to support men at every stage of their careers, from entry-level to C-suite, while celebrating leaders shaping industries and...