Community Voices: Black Lives Forward: Our work so far, our promise for the future

Welcome to the Catalyst’s Community Voices platform. We’ve curated community leaders and thinkers from all parts of our great city to speak on issues that affect us all. Visit our Community Voices page for more details.

We have seen the protests. We have heard the protesters. Over the past few months, St. Pete residents have joined with thousands across our nation to lift their collective voice to express anger and sadness over George Floyd’s death, the unjust killings of countless other Black people in this country, and the persistent injustice faced by African Americans who want to participate and benefit from vibrant economies, or even just vote.

Tampa-St. Pete’s next tech unicorn could be insurtech TypTap	St. Petersburg community bank tops $1 billion in assets

USF undertaking initiatives to address societal racism: ‘I don’t want us to be satisfied with the status quo’

With issues surrounding racial inequity at the forefront of the national conversation, the University of South Florida recently announced a series of initiatives aimed at reinforcing its commitment to diversity and inclusion and supporting efforts to end racism in society.

The St. Pete Catalyst sat down, virtually, with Dr. Haywood Brown, USF’s vice president for Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity to discuss these initiatives, why they’re so important right now and how he’ll measure their success.

The Catalyst Sessions: L. Peter Callender and Sheila Cowley

“I don’t ever want to write a play that only white people can be in,” Sheila Cowley said Thursday on The Catalyst Sessions, explaining why she insisted on a BIPOC cast for the Tampa Repertory Theatre’s virtual production of her drama Flying. Casting people of color in the play, Cowley explained, was one of her conditions for letting Flying, which Tampa Rep performed in 2017, fly again. “I said I wouldn’t be interested in doing it any other way. Because, why not? If you’re gonna do it, let’s use this new medium to do something different.”

Tiger Bay: Pinellas County Commission District 7 [Video]

The virtual Suncoast Tiger Bay Club meeting was held Aug. 5 and featured a panel discussion with the four candidates running for the Pinellas County Commission District 7 seat. The candidates included: Rene Flowers Wengay “Newt” Newton Frank Peterman Jr. Maria Scruggs

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	Ruth Eckerd Hall is the newest Covid-19 drive-thru test site
	Pinellas CARES expands to child care, nonprofits
	Women’s Running magazine launches virtual women’s half marathon to benefit Feeding America
	Registration open for virtual Early Stage Capital Conference