Two Titans Up For Good Burger Awards

CLEARWATER, FL — It’s no secret that some truly impressive people attend and work at St. Petersburg College (SPC). Two such individuals are Davon Miller, a second-year student, and Dr. Tashika Griffith, provost for the Downtown and Midtown Centers. Both Titans are finalists in this year’s Good ‘Burger Awards.

The Good ‘Burger Awards is an annual competition hosted by the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce that recognizes businesses, organizations, and individuals making a positive impact in St. Pete and contribute to making our community a special one. Miller and Griffith certainly meet those parameters.

When Miller’s not taking classes at the SPC Clearwater Campus, he’s giving back to his community. He’s a published children’s author and illustrator of five books in the series titled Mr. Tickety-Toc Clock and donates part of the proceeds from his book signings to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in benefit of asthma. Miller also does book readings in the community.

In 2020, Miller launched the #Imagine2020ChildrenStories campaign with the objective of helping other African American authors. The campaign resulted in a significant number of books being collected and donated to local schools and center.

Miller is a 2019 recipient of the Citizenship Award in the Tampa Bay’s Mayor’s Youth Showcase of Achievement and a 2021 Sunshine Ambassador for the city of St. Petersburg.

In addition to being Provost for the SPC Downtown and Midtown Centers as well as the Palladium Theater, Griffith was also the 2020 Chair of the city of St. Petersburg’s Grow Smarter initiative, a comprehensive economic development strategy that focuses on inclusive prosperity and equitable economic growth. The initiative is currently in its seventh year.

Griffith has worked to bring the equitable ideals of Grow Smarter to the SPC centers she oversees through initiatives like the 12 in 12 program, a unique Express Session at the college that allows students to take four classes, earning 12 credits in just 12 weeks. The program offers students the convenience of a flexible schedule that works for their needs, especially if they’re balancing a job and family in addition to school.

Griffith was recently awarded the “Passing the Torch in Leadership: A Legacy of Excellence Award” from The National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s Tampa Bay chapter. She won in the Education-Post Secondary category.

Finalist voting run through September and end on Oct. 1, so be sure to cast your vote for Miller and Griffith before then. Miller is a finalist in the MVB – Most Valuable ‘Burger category, while Griffith is up for the top spot in the Trailblazers & Change Agents category. Winners will be announced on Oct. 28 at the annual Good ‘Burger Awards ceremony.