WalletHub has ranked St. Petersburg No. 13 nationally among the best cities for Hispanic entrepreneurs, giving the city a total score of 56.66. St. Pete ranked No. 10 for Hispanic business-friendliness and No. 63 for Hispanic purchasing power in the 2026 WalletHub study, which compared 182 cities across 23 metrics including Hispanic-owned businesses, entrepreneurship rates, business revenue growth, affordability, income growth and unemployment.
Pinellas County Schools is partnering with Who We Play For to provide ECG heart screenings, now required under Florida’s Second Chance Act, which takes effect for the 2026-27 school year. The law mandates screenings for all high school student-athletes before their first participation in grades 9 through 12. Upcoming screenings are scheduled May 14 at East Lake High, May 21 at Palm Harbor University High, June 3 at Hollins High and June 17 at Clearwater High. Families can register for a Pinellas County screening here.
Amplify Women Tampa Bay has named Dr. Sandra Braham, president and CEO of Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, as keynote speaker for its 2026 Annual Summit, scheduled for Aug. 7 and 8 at The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg. Braham leads the regional social services organization and helped launch the CALL program, which sends social workers to nonviolent 911 calls, as Amplify Women prepares for its third annual summit focused on women leaders in Tampa Bay. Tickets are available online.
Jabil will donate $1.1 million over three years to St. Petersburg College to expand advanced manufacturing training programs, scholarships and workforce readiness efforts in Tampa Bay. The funding will support equipment, raw materials and curriculum development for soldering, mechatronics, robotics and semiconductor technician pathways, with Jabil staff working alongside SPC faculty to shape the programs.
United Way Suncoast has opened appointment registrations for its free VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program. Households earning up to $96,000 throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough, Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto Counties can receive tax preparation services. The nonprofit will also host a "Tax-A-Thon" event Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Enoch Davis Center in St. Petersburg. For more information, visit the website here.
The Homeless Leadership Alliance has announced that cold night shelters will open Thursday night throughout Pinellas County as the National Weather Service expects "feels like" temperatures of 40 degrees or below between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. The Pinellas County Suncoast Transit Authority will provide free bus rides to and from shelters, which provide a warm and safe place to sleep. Many also serve a meal. Shelters in St. Petersburg include the Unitarian Universalist Church at 100 Mirror Lake Dr. N., Salvation Army at 1400 4th St. S. and Allendale Church at 3803 Haines Rd. N. To volunteer, visit the website here.
The City of St. Petersburg is now accepting applications for its Community Food Grant program, which will provide one $50,000 and two $25,000 awards for innovative projects that "create a more inclusive and resilient food landscape for all residents." Health St. Pete is overseeing the competitive grant program to further the city's community-centered Healthy Food Action Plan. To learn more about the initiative and apply, visit the website here.
The St. Petersburg-based Duke Energy Foundation is inviting Florida nonprofits to apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. Organizations that support careers for military veterans, share the "American story" and "care for our country" through public cleanups and revitalization can apply until Feb. 20. The program, created in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary, will distribute $1 million. For more information, visit the website here.
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will host its 5K Run on the Track event Thursday, Feb. 26. Interested runners and walkers can now register online for an advanced price of $40. The Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg will again receive 100% of the registration proceeds to support myriad programs that benefit local underserved children. For more information, visit the website here.
A week's worth of celebrations known as Kwanzaa St. Pete begins Friday with the 12th Annual First Night event. The free, family-friendly celebration is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Pete Youth Farm. Festivities include drumming, performances, food and more, all set against a backdrop of the harvest.
The Leapfrog Group, a watchdog organization that promotes quality, safety and transparency in the nation's health system, has recognized 15 top children's hospitals in the U.S. Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital made the nonprofit's Top Hospitals list for a fourth consecutive year. The St. Petersburg-based institution remains the only pediatric hospital in the Tampa Bay area to receive the prestigious recognition.
The St. Petersburg Police Department distributed 175 bicycles to underserved children at a special holiday event Sunday. St. Pete Folls Charities donated the bicycles and food for attendees. Officers provided helmets, locks and lights, while railroad company CSX and the First Responders Children's Foundation donated toys.
