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...

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...