- Jun 16
- 4 min read
As the Pinellas County Urban League (PCUL) prepares to celebrate its milestone 50th anniversary in 2028, the organization is “looking back” to move forward. This Juneteenth weekend, PCUL invites the Tampa Bay community to the Sankofa Freedom Conference, a two-day event designed to blend the celebration of heritage with the practical tools necessary for community transformation.
The term sankofa in from the Akan language of Ghana, and translates “go back and get it,” a shorthand for learning from the past to build a brighter and stronger future.
"Sankofa means to me honoring that rich history and past that we have in our community as we look forward to our future," says Nikki Gaskin-Capehart, President and CEO of the Pinellas County Urban League.
For Gaskin-Capehart, the event is deeply personal, particularly its day-two location at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg.
"Being here at USF St. Pete, especially for me, is important because it honors a lot of my past, having been a double graduate. It’s perfect for us to bring together what we're doing at Pinellas County Urban League, specifically honoring the past pioneers and shoulders that we stand on and trailblazers as we move forward towards our vision."
Joy as Resistance and Practical Empowerment
The conference is built on a philosophy that celebration and education are not mutually exclusive. Building on the success of last year’s Juneteenth event, which Gaskin-Capehart describes as "joy as resistance," this year’s conference aims to heighten that energy.
"It was community building," she recalls. "Why not take it to the next level with the Freedom Conference, teaching the community the importance of building generational wealth while we're wrapping our arms around each other, while we're having a good time, while we're building collective power."
Central to this year’s mission is the focus on financial health and physical well-being. The conference seeks to provide specific tools for land ownership and urban agriculture.
"What I really hope to achieve with our financial empowerment goal is giving our community some very specific tools that they need to be able to purchase land to be able to secure long-term generational wealth for their family," Gaskin-Capehart explains.
She notes that many community members already possess expertise in agribusiness, and this event provides an opportunity to connect those skills to physical health and long-term stability.
The Weekend Schedule: A Fusion of Culture and Learning
Friday, June 19, 2026 – Sankofa Freedom Fest
This unique experience will feature a Southern Soul Trail Ride and line dancing led by the legendary DJ Cleve and The TNT Steppaz. The festivities kick off on Friday evening from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Pioneer Settlement. Attendees can experience the "Sip. Savor. Vibe." atmosphere while witnessing agribusiness demonstrations that highlight the community's agricultural roots.
Saturday, June 20, 2026 – PCUL Honors Sankofa Brunch
The focus shifts to the USF St. Petersburg Student Center on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The morning begins with intensive workshops covering Financial Empowerment, Housing & Community Development, and Land Ownership. A highlight of the day will be the "Food is Medicine" cooking demonstration featuring Joshua Carter, Executive Chef of The Vinoy Hotel. The event culminates in the Honors Empowerment Brunch (11:30 AM – 1:00 PM), showcasing businesses from the Next Level Urban Alliance.
Tickets and Community Impact
The Sankofa Freedom Conference offers two ticket tiers. General Admission ($75 for single events or $125 for a two-day pass) includes food and drink tickets along with access to all sessions. VIP tickets ($125 for single events or $200 for a two-day pass) offer expanded food and drink options, priority seating, and access to the exclusive VIP Trail Ride Pre-Show Kickback. PCUL members and donors can contact membership@pcul.org to receive a $25.00 discount code.
Beyond the excitement and education, participation in the conference directly fuels the mission of the Pinellas County Urban League. Proceeds support programs that impact over 11,000 clients and community members annually, resilient social enterprises, and changing lives across Tampa Bay.
"You absolutely will enjoy every minute of it," promises Gaskin-Capehart. "It will expose you to a level of Black excellence and renewed focus for our community that I think we all need right now. Come out, feel empowered to make the connections you need, and know that you have the support behind you to build generational wealth."
To secure your spot, purchase your tickets here. Gaskin-Capehart encourages guests to dress to impress in sophisticated Southern Soul style and be part of a movement that is energizing lives for the next 50 years.
Share Your News
To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com, and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube.