On Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20, Pinellas County Urban League welcomed community members, sponsors, partners, business owners, supporters and families to the first Sankofa Freedom Conference, a two-day Equal Opportunity Weekend centered on culture, wellness, education and generational wealth building.

Freedom Fest brought the energy Friday night, and Saturday gave the community room to sit down, learn and have the conversations that matter around land, housing, health, business and what we are building for the next generation.

Freedom Fest Opened Juneteenth Weekend

Freedom Fest kicked off Friday evening at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Pioneer Settlement with DJ Cleve and the TNT Steppaz out of South Carolina.

The Southern Soul trail ride-style line dancing competition had the crowd moving all night. DJ Cleve also shared his story of continuing generational land ownership, reminding attendees that the weekend was about more than celebration.

Between the Sip. Savor. Vibe. experience, line dancing and fellowship, Freedom Fest brought people together around the culture, energy and connection that made the first night one to remember.

Keeping Ownership at the Center

The conference continued Saturday at the USF St. Petersburg Student Center with a workshop led by TurnKey Realty, the PCUL Honors Sankofa Brunch and a wealth and health panel featuring Dr. Shacara Wilson, Walter L. Smith II, Karen Skyers, Esq., and Abdul Merida. Kenya Woodard, journalist, media personality and co-host of Front-Page Tampa Bay on 101.5 The Vibe, moderated the panel.

Financial empowerment, housing and community development, land ownership and agribusiness stayed at the center of the day. These are the conversations PCUL will continue to push because ownership matters. It matters in our homes, on our land, in our businesses and in the decisions, families make every day.

Food, Wellness and Local Agriculture

The Honors Brunch also featured a Food Is Medicine cooking demonstration from The Vinoy Hotel Executive Chef Joshua Carter.

Chef Carter prepared shakshuka using ingredients from Life Farms and Maple Brook Mushrooms. The demonstration connected food, wellness and local agriculture in a way that made the conversation feel real and accessible.

Recognizing Progress and Supporting What Comes Next

The PCUL Honors Sankofa Brunch recognized recent graduates and participants from PCUL’s workforce, education, entrepreneurship and wellness programs. The brunch also featured Next Level Urban Alliance businesses, giving attendees the chance to connect with entrepreneurs who are building and growing right here in our community.

That is what Sankofa looks like. We honor the people and lessons that brought us here while continuing to pour into the people creating what comes next.

Pinellas County Urban League extends a special thank you to Allegany Franciscan Ministries, title sponsor of the first Sankofa Freedom Conference, along with the sponsors, partners, vendors and community supporters who helped make the weekend possible.

Their support helped create a space for celebration, learning, recognition, and the kind of community conversations that cannot end after one weekend.

The first Sankofa Freedom Conference reminded us that when our community comes together, we can celebrate our culture while staying focused on the work ahead. PCUL will continue advancing financial empowerment, workforce development, entrepreneurship, wellness, housing access, land ownership and generational wealth across our region.

PCUL would like to thank to everyone who showed up, supported the vision and continues to believe in this work.