PCUL President & CEO Nikki Gaskin-Capehart spoke at the Midtown Celebrity Club’s 10th anniversary celebration at the Enoch Davis Center on Dec. 23.
ST. PETERSBURG — Last month, Midtown Celebrity Club, Inc., under the direction of founder and President Paulette Jones, held a festive 10th-anniversary celebration for the holiday season at the Enoch Davis Center in Midtown St. Petersburg.
Nikki Gaskin-Capehart received flowers from Midtown Celebrity Club founder Paulette Jones.
Midtown Celebrity Club is a 501(c)(3) charity that continues its mission of providing youth mentoring and leadership workshops to at-risk youth ages 5 to 17, emphasizing parental engagement, educational excellence and performing arts. The organization hopes to enhance youth’s opportunities and turn their dreams into realities.
This year, Nikki Gaskin-Capehart, the newly installed CEO of Pinellas County Urban League, was the special guest speaker at the Dec. 23 event. She broke the glass ceiling to become the first Black female CEO at the helm of the great organization.
Gaskin-Capehart hit the ground running in rolling out some of her priorities for the organization moving forward. She told a crowded room that some of her priorities are building a stronger mentorship foundation for our youth, developing realistic career options for the unemployed and underemployed and establishing more resources for seniors. She advocated for a plan to build generational wealth for the community’s current and future residents.
Guests were beautifully entertained by several youth performers under the musical mentorship of Susan Dalzell. Those included vocals by Clair Schoengold, piano by Levi Hoffman and violin by Isla Hoffman. The event was emceed by Dr. Liz Curry, one of its long-time supporters.
Guests were entertained by youth performers Clair Schoengold (vocals), Levi Hoffman on piano and Isla Hoffman on violin (not shown).
The Club also celebrated its annual holiday breakfast and gift drive, which was catered by platinum sponsor Heavy’s Family Catering. Ruthie Mae Jones, one of the organization’s earliest and most avid supporters, was honored in memoriam.
Midtown Celebrity Club has a full schedule of events throughout the year, including organizing the Juneteenth Festival in the St. Petersburg Midtown community for the past 11 years. As well as other community events such as the park revitalization projects, “Start Your Own Business,” “Know Your Rights” workshops and much more.
The organization, which operates on community donations, marked the event as a great success and another opportunity to share its mission and vision for the future. It thanked the community for its support. Other sponsors included the City of St. Pete and Black Power 96.
