Press Release: PINELLAS COUNTY URBAN LEAGUE BEGINS ITS JOURNEY TO HIRE A NEW PRESIDENT & CEO

St. Petersburg, Florida — After the unexpected loss of its President & CEO, Rev. Watson L. Haynes, II, the local non-profit Board of Directors announces a national executive search to find a replacement to fill the vacancy left by his passing on August 20, 2022. The agency’s COO, Charlotte I. Anderson assumed the role of Interim President & CEO directing the day-to-day operations of the agency ensuring all services continue without interruption.

In October, the organization honored Rev. Haynes at its 45th Annual Equal Opportunity Day Gala which provided the agency’s board and staff, family members, corporations, politicians, clients, and supporters the opportunity to pay tribute in a final goodbye to its fearless leader. Rev. Haynes’ family started a scholarship fund to honor his legacy of advocating for students in their educational pursuits.

The Pinellas County Urban League has been serving the community for over 43 years. The agency’s mission is to help African Americans and others in underserved communities achieve their highest true social parity, economic self-reliance, power, and civil rights. The League promotes economic empowerment through education and job training, housing and community development, workforce development, entrepreneurship, health, and quality of life.  Every year the organization serves thousands by providing programs that enhance personal growth skills, job readiness training, financial literacy education, entrepreneurship development opportunities, civic engagement initiatives, and a variety of other services that meet the needs of hardworking families. 

The organization’s next leader will be charged with a wide range of leadership responsibilities, including serving as the chief administrator responsible to the Board of Directors/Trustees; demonstrating the ability to develop, articulate, and communicate the vision of the Affiliate; providing leadership to the organization, administer its functions and operations; assist in the development of short- and long-range objectives and act as principal spokesperson. The successful candidate must be proficient in and have an above-average ability in the areas of planning, monitoring, fundraising, fiscal administration, community and public relations, vision, advocacy, and strategic planning proficiencies.

The PCUL will look to its new President and CEO to serve its broader audience nationally and scale our business across strategic focus areas as the organization enters its next chapter. Candidates must go through a certification process led by the National Urban League. For consideration please submit an up-to-date resume to LifeWorks, Attention: Grant McMillon, 3201 34th Street South, Suite 400, St. Petersburg, Florida 33711, or email to grant.mcmillon@lifeworks.com by December 31, 2022. Interested candidates can also visit www.pcul.org/jobs to learn more and apply.