Kelly Kirschner (Photo courtesy of Team Kelly Kirschner) Kelly Kirschner says he is running a campaign that puts accountability at the forefront. The former Sarasota mayor is running for Florida’s 16th Congressional District against opponent Republican Sydney Gruters. The district seat was left vacant by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan. The six-county district encompasses portions of St. Petersburg, Gulfport, Pinellas County’s barrier islands, Manatee County, eastern Sarasota County, DeSoto County,...

Nolan Wells (Facebook) A call for answers surrounding the death of Nolan Xavier Wells is bringing community members and advocates together in Tampa for a march demanding truth, transparency and accountability. The "What Happened to Nolan?" march is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Nov. 1 at Joe Chillura Courthouse Square, 600 E. Kennedy Blvd., in downtown Tampa. The march is part of the One March. Fifty States initiative, a nationwide effort centered around raising awareness and encouraging civic...

Tamika Mallory TThe free community event will include voter engagement, entertainment, free food, door prizes, family activities and a ceremonial Stroll to the Poll honoring Nolan Wells. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Nationally recognized social justice advocate and author Tamika D. Mallory will make a special guest appearance at the 2026 Souls to the Polls event on Sunday, Nov. 1, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the St. Pete Coliseum, located at 535 Fourth Ave. N. in St. Petersburg. Doors between 12:30-12:45...

Crystal Lilly Pruitt, regional affairs manager of Storm Protection Program at TECO. For Crystal Lilly Pruitt, leadership is about more than professional advancement. It's an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the community she calls home. The St. Petersburg native has taken on a new leadership role at Tampa Electric, serving as regional affairs manager for the utility company's Storm Protection Program, a multiyear initiative designed to strengthen the electric grid and improve...

Keisha Lance Bottoms, Will Packer, and David Jolly. (Left to right) Hollywood producer Will Packer is officially backing Florida gubernatorial candidate David Jolly. During an appearance at Florida A&M University’s homecoming “Set Friday” event, Packer, who is also a FAMU graduate, voiced his support for Jolly, a Democrat, and his running mate, Gwen Graham. “I didn't want to miss this opportunity amongst all my people celebrating fellowship to say, ‘Hey, while we're having a good time, we're...

Kelly Kirschner (Photo courtesy of Team Kelly Kirschner) In a traditionally Republican congressional district, Democrat Kelly Kirschner is making a bid to turn Florida's 16th Congressional District blue, with support from Black voters in south St. Petersburg potentially playing a pivotal role in the race.The former Sarasota mayor is challenging Republican Sydney Gruters for the seat previously held by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan. According to Kirschner's campaign, Pinellas County is home to more...

A St. Petersburg pastor who is known for helping those in need is now seeking support as he undergoes a challenging chapter in his life. Community leader Rev. Dr. Kenneth Irby works with the Office of Community Impact for the city of St. Petersburg. He recently transitioned from his role as the 30th senior pastor at Historic Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1991, he was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). The cysts were discovered during a renal ultrasound exam...

Byron Donalds (left) and David Jolly (right). Donalds leads in financial contributions while Jolly leads in Black support Democrat David Jolly and Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds are both pushing for financial momentum in their campaigns to become Florida’s governor. According to an Oct. 17 report published by Florida Politics, Jolly has raised more than $1.97 million during the reporting period ending Oct. 9 through his campaign account and affiliated political committee, Florida 2026....

Woodson Museum in St. Petersburg, Fla. (courtesy of Taylor McCray Honor) A unique shopping event will be hosted next weekend by The Woodson African American Museum of Florida. The Curator’s Closet will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the museum, 2240 9th Avenue South in St. Petersburg. The community is invited to visit The Woodson for a garden sale that offers an opportunity to uncover exciting finds such as linens, glassware, kitchen essentials, Christmas decorations,...

The Bulwark’s Springfield, Ohio, show on Sept. 25 (Facebook) The Bulwark, a Washington D.C.-based independent media company and political media outlet, has raised more than $575,000 to support Haitian families in Springfield, Ohio. The fundraising milestone comes as organizations in Florida confront the fallout from President Donald Trump administration’s termination of Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. The Dayton/Springfield benefit on Sept. 25 at the Dayton Masonic Center was the...

Tampa Bay Tuskegee Charter president Wanda Mays (third from left) with Councilman Luis Viera, Councilman Guido Maniscalco, and Councilwoman Naya Young at the charter ceremony on Oct. 13 at the Egypt Shrine Event Center in Tampa. (Photo by Alexia McKay) The legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen has found its way to Tampa Bay. On May 28, Tuskegee Airmen Inc. approved the charter of the Tampa Bay Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen. The establishment of the chapter makes Tampa the fourth Tuskegee Airmen chapter...

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...