Urban League of Florida Suncoast

The Urban League of Florida Suncoast works to enable and empower African Americans and others who are underserved to reach their highest potential and secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights. Its roots are in St. Petersburg, where community members began discussing an Urban League affiliate in 1976. James O. Simmons became the founding president and CEO of the Pinellas County Urban League in 1977, and the National Urban League certified the affiliate in 1978. The organization later merged with the Urban League of Hillsborough County and took its new regional name, joining Pinellas' decades of continuous service with a Tampa Urban League tradition that dates to 1922. President and CEO Nikki Gaskin-Capehart leads the combined organization from its St. Petersburg headquarters.

Housing and community development is one of its busiest pillars. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible households pay electric and gas bills, with crisis and weather-related help when funding allows and priority for older adults, people with disabilities and families with young children. The Weatherization Program makes energy-saving repairs for low-income Pinellas households, from new doors and windows to insulation and efficient appliances, and disaster assistance helps families recovering from hurricanes.

For people building careers and businesses, the Tampa Bay Anchors Urban Alliance offers career readiness workshops, industry job fairs, short-term certifications and apprenticeships, and holistic client navigation into regional hiring pipelines. The Next Level Urban Alliance, a network of entrepreneurs and development partners, strengthens entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic growth for African Americans through business navigation, cohorts and procurement connections.

Young people and families find a home in the education and community leadership pillar. Project Ready and NULITES build leadership, academics and college readiness for students from third through 12th grade. The Urban Youth Empowerment Program prepares teens ages 14 to 19 for work, S.T.Y.L.E. offers summer workplace and leadership training for youth ages 14 to 16, and the 12-month S.T.E.P. program gives St. Petersburg families financial education, workforce training and coaching. The organization also hosts a Tampa site for INROADS College Links, a college and career preparation program for high school students.

The health and quality of life pillar treats health as more than healthcare. Wellness Wednesday, held twice a month, pairs guided exercise with nutrition demonstrations and financial tools. Food Truck Friday brings residents, resource partners and local food entrepreneurs together, and Reclaim Your Vote, the National Urban League's civic engagement campaign, covers voter registration, election education and the Voting in Jail Project. Community life also includes the Sankofa Freedom Conference over Juneteenth weekend, the PCULempowHER Girls Summit for middle and high school girls, and the Haynes Heroes Scholarship honoring Rev. Watson Haynes II.

Anyone can apply for services through the online Client Assistance form or by calling the league. Members, the Young Professionals (ages 21 to 45) and the Guild (ages 40 and up) carry the mission forward, volunteers staff events like Food Truck Friday, and donations support programs across the region.