All posts by Tara Newsom

Get SPC Vote Ready for 2024

A scattering of voter stickers.
Civic Education

Make sure you are SPC Vote Ready by putting these important 2024 election dates and deadlines on your calendar. Remember, your voice matters!

  • February 20: Registration & Party Designation Deadline
  • March 19: Presidential Primary
  • August 20: State Primary
  • November 5: General Election

To register to vote, check polling places, or change your party designation, visit www.vote411.org/florida.

Data from Tufts University’s National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) survey comparing voter registration and turnout among eligible SPC students in 2014 and 2018 show that the launch of the CCLCE and the adoption of community engagement as a formative and guiding foundational goal has contributed to a voter registration increase of 11.5%, from 34.1% to 45.6%.

SPC’s voter rate is significantly higher than the 2019 national average of 39.1%. The college’s voter registration efforts are 76% of the student population, and the voting rate of registered students is 60%.

SPC is working toward face-to-face and online learning strategies to increase voter registration, voter education, and voter turnout.

For information on how to engage students with the 2024 Election, please contact the Center for Civic Learning & Community Engagement at CCLCE@spcollege.edu.

Volunteer at Localtopia 2024

Civic Education, Volunteerism

It’s that time of year again for St. Petersburg’s Annual Localtopia!

To volunteer, sign up at https://bit.ly/localtopiavolunteer2024

LOCALTOPIA is St. Pete’s largest “Community Celebration of All Things Local.” The 2024 festival will showcase over 300 of our city’s favorite independent businesses and community organizations. LOCALTOPIA is the ONLY event that ONLY features St. Pete-based businesses and non-profits! More than a festival, it’s a (local) vibe!

All the local goodness! In addition, Williams Park will be CLOSING: ~ 3rd STREET between 1st and 3rd Avenues + ~ 2nd AVENUE between 2nd and 4th Streets!

The event features:

  • MAKERS & MERCHANTS: Selling Art & Handcrafted Goods, Artisanal & Plant-Based Food & Beverages, Body/Self-Care, Books, Clothing & Accessories, Home Decor, Jewelry, Pet, Plants & Plant-Based Products, Vintage, Vinyl & Much More!
  • VILLAGES in Williams Park: Arts Village | Family Village | Health & Wellness Village | #AllThingsPlants Village
  • EAT, DRINK & PLAY LOCAL on the streets of St Pete:
  • 4th Street: Food Truck Rally Alley | 2nd Avenue (from 2nd to 4th Streets): More Food Trucks + Restaurants + Food & Drink Vendors + “Local Thirst Stations” Selling Local Beer in Cans & Canned Wine + DRAFT BEER CENTRAL: Local Breweries Pouring Their Own Brews + 2 Local Craft Draft Beer Trucks (corner of 3rd St & 2nd Ave)
  • 3RD STREET (from 1st to 3rd Avenues): Boutiques | Vendors on Wheels | More Artists & Artisans + Collectives | Gourmet Food | Home Decor | DJs | Literary Corner | Street Fun
  • LIVE LOCAL MUSIC on the Williams Park Bandstand
  • STREET PERFORMANCES + ENGAGING ACTIVITIES for All Ages, Free Demos & Crafts, Live Screen Printing, and More Surprises!

LOCALTOPIA is organized by Keep Saint Petersburg Local (KSPL), a non-profit organization working to build a thriving local economy and a unique community. KSPL does this by nurturing connections for and acting as the voice of locally-owned, independent businesses and by raising awareness of the importance of buying local.

KSPL was founded on November 19, 2011, and was officially launched on January 31, 2012. The first LOCALTOPIA took place on February 1, 2014. LOCALTOPIA is also KSPL’s annual anniversary celebration. Learn more about KSPL and the Alliance’s members HERE.

Celebrate Journeys in Journalism @Studio 620

Civic Education

The PCSB Journeys in Journalism is a magnet program for Melrose Elementary, John Hopkins Middle School and Lakewood HighSchool. The program focuses on learning by leveraging the tools of journalism to tell the story of our community through the eyes of our local students, many of whom live and go to school in marginalized areas.

You can learn more about the program at journeysinjournalism.org.

SPC Center for Civic Learning & Community Engagement serves on the Journeys in Journalism Board. Melrose Elementary sits in the Midtown Center’s backyard and all three schools are considered feeder schools to SPC and part of SPC’s educational ecosystem.

SPC’s support is in direct response to trying to make pathways to success for these and all Pinellas County students.

Please join us for the Journeys in Journalism annual exhibit and opening reception from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, January 12th, at Studio@620, 620 First Ave. S.

At 7 p.m., JIJ’s new coordinator Kenya Woodard will lead a brief program. She’ll share the background and goals of the program, talk about the scholarship programs that donations support, and introduce a panel discussion where The Poynter Institute’s Alex Mahadevan will interview a student from each school about their journalism.

The exhibit is the primary fundraiser for scholarships for graduating seniors — the Cynda Mort scholarships, which help cover tuition for honorees, and the Peggy Peterman scholarships, which defray the cost of books. Donate now to show your support.

The second day of the exhibit is part of the St. Petersburg Art Walk on Saturday, January 13th.

For more information about the event please contact Dr. Tara Newsom at newsom.tara@spcollege.edu.

Jazz & Politics: Harmony & Discourse

Civic Education

Join the Center for Civic Learning & Community Engagement as we support the ArtsXchange concert series “Jazz & Politics: Harmon & Discourse” on Friday, November 3, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The ArtsXchange is located at 515 22nd Street South in St. Petersburg.

The event will include a performance with the “Instrument of Hope” and a roundtable about gun violence prevention. The Instrument of Hope is a trumpet built from parts of bullet casing in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, FL. It has since traveled around the U.S. to promote healing and conversation about gun violence prevention. Composer and Arranger Kim Scharnberg has compiled testimonies from former students and survivors and will lead the roundtable discussion.

The concert will feature some of Tampa Bay’s best musicians assembled by the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association. Its roots can be traced back to the 1980s and to the joint efforts of Al Downing and the late Ernie Calhoun, renowned saxophonist and humanitarian from Tampa, Florida.

Ticket pricing options include General Admission tickets priced at $15 and discounted tickets for WADA and Al Downing members at $10. Become a member to qualify for discounted tickets. The event schedule is as follows:

  • 6:30-7:30 p.m.: A roundtable discussion on gun violence prevention featuring community leaders, artists, and survivors at Seven C Music on the ArtsXchange campus.
  • 7:30-9:00 p.m.: Concert presented by Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association, featuring the “Instrument of Hope” at the ArtsXchange Outdoor Theater. 

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, dialogue, and community engagement. For more information, please contact Tara Newsom at newsom.tara@spcollege.edu.

SPC City Hall Scholars

Civic Education, Featured

St. Petersburg City Hall welcomed SPC students from the Downtown and Midtown Centers this week to learn about the various departments in local government.

After a tour of City Hall, students sat down in City Council Chambers to have a conversation with St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch. Affordable housing, climate change, economic development, and equity were all on the table for discussion!

Students then joined city government professionals for a career panel to explore the various pathways to serving others through employment with the city.

To learn more about local civic opportunities, please contact the Center for Civic Learning and Community Engagement at cclce@spcollege.edu or Professor Tara Newsom at newsom.tara@spcollege.edu.

Remembering 9/11

Civic Education, Featured

SPC remembered and honored 9/11 with college-wide events paying tribute and respect to the heroes who lost their lives, celebrating the resilience of our community, and creating meaningful dialogue.

Each campus remembered 9/11 through moments of silence, student presentations, flag-planting ceremonies, and honoring our local first responders.

The Center for Civic Learning & Community Engagement co-sponsored the Warehouse Arts District Association and Urban Stillhouse’s two-day 9/11 event collaboration that included a showing of the 12 Strong war drama based on true events, following a Special Forces team (Horse Soldiers) sent to Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks.

Saturday’s events included a showing of “12 Strong” followed by a Q&A with Horse Soldier Team Member and LtCol USAF (Ret) Jerry Lavely, who was deployed in response to the events of 9/11. This opportunity will provide the audience with a chance to engage, ask questions, and gain insight into the real-life events that inspired the gripping story.

Sunday’s events began with a ceremony surrounding the Rise Monument with a moving program that included speeches by community leaders and Armed Forces personnel, a color guard, the National Anthem, and an invocation.

After the ceremony, community members and students were invited to a “Flip the Script” Panel Discussion led by the audience, allowing attendees to actively participate in the conversation by sharing personal reflections, asking questions, and engaging in a collective exploration of the impact and significance of the tragic events of September 11.

SPC’s very own John Beggins, a retired officer with the NYPD, served on the panel, as did John Welch, an adjunct professor in SSBS. The panel was moderated by Jack Royer (News Channel 8 WFLA). Additional panelists: Arturo Jimenez-Bacardi (USF Int Relations & Political Science), Jerry Lavely (Horse Soldier Team Member/LtCol USAF (Ret).), Imam Abdullah Jaber (Executive Director CAIR-Florida).

The Sunscreen Film Festival, WUSF, Admiral Farragut, City of St. Petersburg, and Florida Arts Culture also served as co-sponsors.


Pride: Taking it to the Streets

Civic Education

St Pete Pride Events
June 24  – 2 – 10 p.m.

Get ready for St. Pete Pride’s 21st Year! To honor history, celebrate our community, and create an accessible, safe place for members of the LGBTQ+ community, St. Pete Pride will be hosting the largest Pride festival to date. This is a free event and open to the public.

The Parade route will run from Albert Whitted Park to Vinoy Park along Bayshore Drive, stepping off at 6 p.m.  Leading up to the Parade, the TransMarch will start in Vinoy Park at 5:30 p.m. Click here to register for the 2023 Trans March.

The Parade Festival will begin at 2 p.m. on both sides of the parade route! North Straub Park will have a variety of local vendors, food trucks, and a DJ!  Vinoy Park will host this year’s main entertainment stage, VIP cabanas, and more.

Taking it to the Streets: How to Combat Structural Racism in St. Petersburg
June 27 @ 6 – 8 p.m.

The League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg Area’s Social Justice Team is partnering with Miss Gwen Reese on a project called Taking It To the Streets.

This project is funded by the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg to educate residents and community groups about the Structural Racism study that the City funded and conducted. This is also a way to get folks to advocate for the recommendations from the study.

Miss Gwen will provide an overview of the study, and then there will be a community discussion on the experiences with structural racism.

We hope to see you there!

The Center for Health Equity
2333 34th St S
St. Petersburg, Florida 33711 

SPC & the Florida Dream Center: Dream Team!

volunteers smile for pic
Civic Education, Featured

St. Petersburg College students and faculty spent the week supporting the Florida Dream Center’s food pantry efforts. Stay tuned for August dates to get involved!

The Florida Dream Center is a 501c3 tax-exempt, faith-based nonprofit organization that takes resources and aid into at-risk communities. Their boots-on-the-ground concept materialized as organizational leaders realized various pockets of service deserts existed in Pinellas County. FLDC programs foster stability and promote self-sufficiency throughout Pinellas County.

Since its inception in 2012, FLDC has worked with local organizations, government agencies, churches, and schools to collaboratively increase impact within the areas of poverty, hunger, social economic equality, community revitalization and gainful employment. Their programs are consistent and accessible as they work with our neighbors to empower communities, one person at a time.

To learn more about the FLDC’s programs, https://floridadreamcenter.org.

For more information about future SPC efforts to support the FLDC please contact Dr. Tara Newsom at newsom.tara@spcollege.edu.

City Hall on Tour!

Civic Education, Featured

Join St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch at his City Hall on Tour, stop #2, which will be this Wednesday, June 14 at Willis S. Johns Recreation Center.  

Fast facts:

Willis S. Johns Recreation Center 
June 14, 2023, from 5:30 – 8 p.m.
6635 Dr. Martin L. King Jr. St. N., 33702

  • No registration required.
  • No appointments needed to speak to city staff or Mayor Welch.
  • Recreation center is open for school-aged kids.
  • Free food from beloved North St. Pete restaurants: Cali, Paul’s Chicago Pizza, Miller’s Ale House, La Segunda and Chick-fil-a.
  • Enjoy a Kahwa coffee with Mayor Welch in the Coffee with (Mayor) Ken area.

SPC’s Alpha Phi Omega chapter collaborates with sister chapter in Puerto Rico

Civic Education, Featured

St. Petersburg College’s chapter of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) attended the summer regional conference in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez campus. The University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez APO chapter hosted the conference with a focus on leadership and service.

Five SPC APO student leaders attended the conference and banquet, building strong friendships and learning how other student organizations make positive change in their communities. Curating your own leadership style, cultivating service opportunities and maintaining student cyber security were all part of the conference agenda.

Alpha Phi Omega is a co-educational intercollegiate service organization in the United States. Since 1925, more than 525,000 members on over 375 campuses, continue to provide more service on more campuses than any other collegiate service organization.

It is the vision of Alpha Phi Omega to create inclusive communities for a more peaceful world in which to make a life, by developing leaders, uniting members through friendship and rendering service to all.

For more information about APO at SPC, please contact Tara Newsom at newsom.tara@spcollege.edu.