St. Petersburg has long been shaped by community voices, cultural expression, and a willingness to confront hard truths. At the center of the city’s ongoing work toward racial equity is the St. Petersburg Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Center, known locally as St. Pete TRHT.
The center is focused on addressing systemic racism and dismantling false ideas of racial hierarchy while building a more just and equitable future for the community. Through education, dialogue, and collaboration, St. Pete TRHT is helping residents gain a deeper understanding of the past and engage with one another in the present.
Education and leadership
St. Pete TRHT inspires students and community members to take active leadership roles in advancing racial justice. Working closely with organizations and higher education institutions throughout Pinellas County, the center develops programming, advocacy efforts, and services that support racial equity at both the individual and institutional levels.
This work comes to life through initiatives such as the Racial Justice Fellowship Program, Community Conversations, and the city’s participation in the National Day of Racial Healing.
Photo via TRHT
Developing local leaders through the racial justice fellowship
One of the center’s signature initiatives is its Racial Justice Fellowship, a one-year funded program designed for full-time higher education students in Pinellas County.
Fellows engage in a curriculum grounded in local racial equity history while gaining hands-on experience through summer internships with community partners. The program equips students with the knowledge and tools needed to contribute meaningfully to equity work in St. Petersburg and beyond, while strengthening the pipeline of future leaders committed to justice and inclusion.
A framework for lasting change
Community Conversations bring residents together across differences to build trust and understanding through guided storytelling. Arts, culture, and media are used to challenge harmful narratives and uplift stories that reflect the full humanity of the community. Each year, the National Day of Racial Healing offers a moment for collective reflection and renewed commitment to equity.
These approaches recognize that progress requires both personal connection and structural change. Community Conversations are also a central part of the TRHT approach. These facilitated gatherings bring people from diverse backgrounds together in a setting designed for honest dialogue.
Participants engage in structured storytelling that encourages listening and empathy while creating space to examine deeply held beliefs. Conversations are intentionally limited in size to support meaningful interaction and are offered both in person and virtually. They are not recorded, allowing participants to speak freely in a setting that values trust and shared humanity.
Photo via TRHT
Powered by partnership and community support
The work of the St. Petersburg TRHT is heavily built upon collaboration. The center recognizes that advancing racial justice and healing requires collective effort. Individuals and organizations are invited to support the work in ways that align with their interests and capacity.
Community support helps fund Racial Justice Fellows, faculty and practitioner stipends, Community Conversations, and race equity events throughout the year. Partnerships also make it possible for St. Pete TRHT to bring racial equity into community spaces across Florida.
Those seeking deeper involvement can apply to become:
