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St. Petersburg College is commemorating its 99th year, celebrating community and heritage with a community-focused block party.
On Saturday, Sept. 12, SPC will host its annual SPC Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Midtown Center in South St. Petersburg's historic Deuces Corridor. The free block party will commemorate the 99th anniversary of the college. Presented by Suncoast Credit Union, the celebration will bring together students, alumni, families, businesses and community organizations for a day of live entertainment, local vendors, food and family-friendly activities.
Founded in 1927, SPC was Florida’s first two-year institution. The block party is a celebration of that legacy and the college’s continuous commitment to creating economic and creating affordable higher education opportunities for the community.
“SPC has been able to provide the opportunity of being innovative, enriching lives, transforming communities,” says Belinthia Berry, SPC’s Dean of Workforce Development. “So many corporate partners want to be a part of that.”
The college is also celebrating another milestone: The growth of its Midtown campus, which first opened its doors in 2015. Construction is now underway on the college's Industry 4.0 Smart Lab, supported by $8.2 million in state funding. It is expected to open in late 2026.
The facility will be the first of its kind in this region and will offer modern labs and advanced equipment designed to give students hands-on experience with technology used in today's manufacturing industry. SPC officials said major companies invested in this project.
“Everyone from Jabil, Honeywell, Plasma, Lockheed Martin,” says Berry. “So many businesses, even the city of St. Petersburg is supporting this initiative in order for students and the community to get good paying jobs in the manufacturing industries.”
SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams echoed the following in a press release provided to Power Broker.
“The Industry 4.0 lab reflects SPC’s long-standing commitment to the Midtown community and preparing students for the careers of tomorrow,” said Williams. “By creating modern learning environments and providing more hands-on experiences, we’re giving students the skills they need to succeed while helping meet the needs of employers across our region.”
Williams currently serves as SPC’s 7th president and the first woman and first African American to hold the position.
“She (Williams) leads the charge , leads the way, she has a true vision for SPC and it just continues to unfold under her leadership,” says Berry.
Deuces Corridor, where the block party will take place, holds a significant place in history. Once a thriving center of Black-owned businesses, entertainment and community life, the historic 22nd Street South corridor continues to serve as an important cultural anchor.
Today, SPC officials say the Deuces Corridor is turning more into a workforce development initiative, where individuals can get jobs right here in the community.
New programs SPC has implemented include the construction art program, the electrical board accessibility program, semiconductor clean room program and soon, a nursing program.
“Great things are happening there and for us to be on the Deuces Live, it’s real time, it’s needed,” says Berry. “All of the businesses there have been requesting and asking us, even the community — where are the programs? So now they are here.”
The St. Petersburg Housing Authority and The Deuces Live, Inc are among the other partners of SPC Day. The organization is dedicated to preserving and promoting the historic Deuces Corridor.
Latorra Bowles, executive director of The Deuces Live, says the community’s growth is essential to education, workforce development and community partnerships working together, which is why collaborating with SPC is so ideal.
“SPC’s continued investment in Midtown represents more than education; it represents access, opportunity and a commitment to meeting residents where they are,” Bowles said in a press release.
Looking ahead to its centennial next year and beyond, Berry hopes there will be continuous workforce evolution, specifically flexibility with the labor markets and SPC being able to provide the education and educational programs that are of value to ensure that the community and its students have good paying jobs.
“Midtown is a focal point, just like all of the other campuses, but we are building quickly, we are building fast, we’re getting state support, we’re getting regional support, local government support, everybody is wrapping their hands around us as we continue to move forward with 100 years of being innovative…that’s what St. Pete college is about- being innovative.”
To learn more about SPC Day, go to spcollege.edu/spc-day