St. Petersburg College: Racial Justice Fellows Get To Work

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Audrie Brinegar grew up in a small southern town, where she says she saw many instances of minority groups being marginalized.

“It was not a very diverse area,” Brinegar said. “So there were often things that I saw that made me feel uncomfortable. Moving to Florida, where I’m exposed to diverse groups of people, helped me to see that there is definitely an equality gap in this country, and I’m ready to make it my fight.”

Brinegar and fellow St. Petersburg College student Na’Keidra Perez are two of eight local college students chosen to participate in the St. Petersburg Racial Justice Fellows Program, which seeks to place students at the center of efforts to create systemic change.

“It’s wonderful for our community to be doing this,” Brinegar said. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay here, but because of this program and other initiatives in the area, it’s very inspiring and has helped me decide to call this place my home. I’m very thankful for this program.”

Each college has a specific focus. St. Petersburg College seeks to promote economic development by providing opportunities for students to prepare for high-wage, high-need careers and professional growth, which will contribute to their economic success and improve the quality of life within our community.

Misty Kemp, Executive Director of Retention Services, said SPC’s participation in the program is a way to ensure that the college is helping the community to be successful and move forward.

“The timing is right for a program like this, but it’s also late,” Kemp said. “These conversations are difficult, but necessary, and we need to be sure to be bringing racial injustice to light. The work of this group will assist with our goal of building an inclusive community that drives economic development.”

The program is a joint initiative among St. Petersburg College, Eckerd College, Stetson University College of Law, University of South Florida (USF) St. Petersburg campus, and the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg (FHSP).

The students, who will be compensated up to $2,000 each during the 2021-2022 academic year for their participation, will perform work related to antiracist policy and movements, and the promotion of racial healing and transformation.

Students will also take part in a summer internship for a nonprofit that works on racial justice and equity. Fellows have the opportunity to use this internship to pursue issues that are near and dear to them. Perez, a Paralegal Studies student with an eye on a law career, said her interest lies in a career in helping the elderly and people of color.

“I want to focus on probate law, and there’s not a big emphasis on the importance of that in the African American community,” Perez said. “I’d like to help change that and make it accessible to all.”

Perez said she knew that being a part of a group dedicating to the fight for racial justice was a good thing, but it hit home during the very first meeting.

“I had an aha moment in the first meeting, and I knew this is something I am meant to do,” Perez said. “I’m really happy to be chosen for it.”

This press release was produced by the St. Petersburg College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.