Leadership class announces 2025 community project

Leadership St. Pete has announced Infinite Potential Learning Academy, a private school in south St. Pete, will be the beneficiary of its 2025 community project.

Established in 1970 under the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s umbrella, Leadership St. Pete (LSP) is one of the nation’s oldest leadership programs. The goal of the six-month course is to identify, recruit and develop area professionals. The experience includes an annual civic engagement and community service project, which many participants say is the highlight of their experience.

“Part of what’s so important about giving back is that we receive so much through the LSP program,” said Lauren Moon, Leadership St. Pete Community Project Events Chair. “We are exposed to all different facets of our community. We have the chance to bond, to grow as leaders, and this is a way that we can say thank you to our community, to our city, to those who make St. Pete what we love, in a tangible way.”

The Leadership St. Pete Class of 2025.

This year, the LSP Class of 2025 will upgrade Infinite Potential’s grounds, including building a basketball court, a workout and meditation area, a multi-purpose field and a new playground set. Twanna Monroe, Infinite Potential’s founder and principal, said LSP will raise $50,000 to complete the project.

“It’s going to be game-changing for us here at the school and for the kids, families and the community,” Monroe said. “They will be installing everything from start to finish.”

Moon said the LSP Class of 2025 chose Infinite Potential as its community project beneficiary because the 39 class members were impressed by the school’s commitment to its students.

“We saw an incredible chance to have our class’ legacy be something that is incredibly impactful to the children of our community as they grow, giving them a place to play and use their imaginations,” Moon explained. “The project also includes a space to meditate, do some yoga and find some zen, so that is something that really appealed to our class, too. It’s not just playground equipment; it’s an entire experience for these kids when they’re at school.”

Monroe said the four areas of the school’s grounds aren’t just being redeveloped to provide more room for students to pursue sports and recreational activities. The project will also help Infinite Potential establish the location as a gathering venue for the greater community after school hours. 

“We do plan to open our gates to the community to have a safe place to come and visit, play with their kids or come in just for the zen space,” Monroe added. “[The school] sits right in the middle of the neighborhood, so they don’t have far to go, especially since we don’t currently have a place for the community members to convene at different times throughout the day.”

A mockup shows the renovation plan for Infinite Potential Learning Academy’s recreation area. Image provided.

Infinite Potential Learning Academy was founded in 2010 and enrolls about 200 students as young as two years old through fifth grade. The school’s smaller size is meant to enable each student to have a personalized education plan that also includes family input. Monroe said the curriculum at Infinite Potential allows for variety and creativity in teaching and course content, and gives teachers the ability to tailor classes to students’ needs.

The LSP Class of 2025 will raise donations and host fundraising events, culminating in a hands-on day of service to complete the project in May. 

Past LSP class projects include renovations to St. Pete Youth Farm, Allendale Equity & Justice Center, Clam Bayou Marine Education Center and the Mustard Seed Inn, an addiction treatment center in the Grand Central District.

The first fundraising event for the project is a trivia night at Bayboro Brewing, Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m.

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Related reading: Meet the ‘next best’ Leadership St. Pete class

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