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“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: Lawfest.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the St. Petersburg College’s Midtown Center, 1300 22nd St. S.
Started by Momma Tee, Lawfest is a free event where local lawyers, judges and other legal experts will offer complimentary services to the community. There will also be free fingerprinting and other activities.
This year’s fest is special because it is the first time the Lawfest is returning since Momma Tee’s passing in 2018 from pancreatic cancer. Lassiter hopes to honor her mother’s legacy of community service and carry on the good work that she started.
“We are going to get the Lawfest back up and running,” said Lassiter, who also says it’s one of many events she has planned that included back-to-school drives and holiday events. “Everything my mom had going on in the city (was) to help the community,” said Lassiter.
For its return, Lassiter went back to recruit original supporters of the event. Lawfest is a collaborative effort with the Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, the Community Law Program, the St. Pete College Midtown paralegal law program, and community leaders Donna Welch, a youth developmental leader and advocate, and Jabaar Edmond, the Program Director at the Community Development & Training Center. Judge Michael Andrews is also assisting.
“It’s about helping the community, helping the people, the ones who need help. I don’t want no egos involved. I just want good people who want to be assistants to our community and make us thrive,” said Lassiter.
Lawfest is also an opportunity to let residents know of the resources that are available to them.
“It’s a workshop and resource fair for everybody to get to know each other and know what we have to offer, what do you need help with and we’re here to help,” said Lassiter.
Through initiatives such as Lawfest, Lassiter says the impact of her mother’s legacy is still felt today. Momma Tee was a St. Pete community staple for over 20 years.
She was the founder of Successes Unlimited Women & Youth Business Center, Inc. — another initiative Lassiter said she is working on bringing back — founder of the Back to School festival and was a co-chair on the Pinellas County Schools Community Task Force.
When it came to legal justice, the late Lassiter worked with individuals who had been jailed by helping them find legal representation, jobs after re-entry and access to services to reduce recidivism.
She mentored and helped many judges and lawyers in the area, including former St. Pete mayor Bill Foster and current Mayor Ken Welch.
Lassiter also recounted her mother’s love for children. While she was battling cancer in a nursing home, she says Momma Tee would have people bring back school supplies and Christmas gifts to hand out to kids.
“My mom told me one time that, ‘You know I do everything because God tells me to do it in honor of God. He tells me what to do and I do it,’ and it just speaks volumes to me,” she said. “She’s here to help the people, that was her legacy … and I want us to carry it, everybody … everybody can carry a torch.”
She added, “I am not trying to step into her shoes and be Momma Tee because there was only one Theresa Ann Lassiter. So if I could just do a fraction, a portion of what she did, I will be happy with that.”
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