St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch will proclaim July as Bebe Moore Campbell National BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) Mental Health Awareness Month in the city. The declaration aligns with a national movement to increase awareness, promote understanding and provide support for mental health issues among minority populations. The Miller Auditorium at Eckerd College will host a presentation at 9 a.m. Friday, July 7. To register, visit the website here.
The South St. Pete CRA’s (community redevelopment area) popular Rebates for Affordable Residential Rehabs program is now available to residents citywide. Officials expanded the program to provide more homeowners the opportunity to receive rebates for structural repairs, electrical work, constructing an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and other renovations to increase the quality and supply of affordable housing. For more information, visit the website here.
According to Florida Department of Education data, 60% of Pinellas County children are “ready” for kindergarten, the highest rate in Tampa Bay. Pasco County is second, at 53%. The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County recently launched its “Brain Building Summer” campaign to help increase those scores. Families can print handouts and watch videos with tips on the nonprofit’s website here.
Over 30,000 residents who call Lealman home will soon have their first fireworks show in the unincorporated community’s history. The display is part of the Lealman Independence Day Celebration July 4 at Raymond H. Neri Community Park, which will also feature a laser light show, food trucks, free hot dogs, a beer and wine garden, music and activities. The event runs from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., and attendees can park at the Lealman Exchange at 5175 45th St. N.
Following three weeks of interactive arts education - led by Family Support Services of Pasco and Pinellas Counties and The Performers Academy - local foster teens will unveil their talents to the community Thursday night. The “Just Like Me” exhibition will feature dance, theater, visual art, recording arts, lyricism and fashion design. Pinellas Technical College in Clearwater will host the free event, which begins at 6 p.m. Thursday. For more information, visit the website here.
Alex Quinto, a counselor for Pinellas County Schools, is a “community pick” for Pride grand marshal. Joining Quinto as a community selection is Ryan Young, a longtime advocate for equity and inclusivity. The organization’s board chose the final grand marshal, Tamara Leigh. She has “dedicated her life to championing” multiple marginalized populations. All three marshals will lead the June 24 St. Pete Pride Parade.
Officials with the Woodson African American Museum, the City of St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance unveiled a reimagined Black Lives Matter mural Monday in celebration of Juneteenth. It now reads “Black History Matters.” City officials have closed the area in front of the museum at 2240 9th Ave. S. until July 10. To view a picture of the updated mural and a list of participating artists, visit the website here.
After St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch recently announced the rollout of the South St. Petersburg CRA (Community Redevelopment Area) Microfund program to create new accessible funding pot for business owners, the city has selected 56 businesses for the program. Over the next few months, business owners will work to develop a personalized capacity-building plan, a business and spending plan, and complete several surveys and a final report. Upon completion of the program, each cohort participant will be eligible to receive up to $10,000 to be used at their discretion based on their planning with their Greenhouse Navigator, according to the city's Thursday announcement.
School-based popup clinics will provide physicals, immunizations, vision screenings and basic dental services for children starting Monday, June 19. The free program requires an appointment, a parent or guardian present and immunization and medical records. Call (727) 824-6900 to make an appointment and select option 4.
The St. Pete Youth Farm is celebrating its fourth birthday Friday. Carla Bristol, collaboration manager, often says she grows nutritious food and community leaders simultaneously, and the event will also serve as a reunion. The public can participate in the celebration, which starts at 6 p.m. at 1664 12th St. S. and features food, music and games.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and leadership from Evara Health, formerly the Community Health Centers of Pinellas, announced today that $2 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will go toward confronting the Black maternal health crisis. The funding will help improve health outcomes for patients at high risk for maternal morbidity and mortality. While awards were made across the country totaling more than $65 million, Evara was the sole Florida awardee.
Over half of Pinellas County students receive free and reduced meals at school, and many will struggle to find nutritious food over the summer. The St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department, in partnership with the Summer BreakSpot, is helping mitigate the problem by providing anyone under 18 breakfast and lunch at several locations around the city throughout the summer break. For more information, call 727-893-7441 or visit the website here.
