An educator by day, artist by night, he paints to celebrate jazz

By JEFFREY ZANKER NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG – When he finds himself in boring meetings, middle school principal Dallas Jackson likes to sketch on a small piece of paper. But Jackson is not an ordinary doodler. He is a painter, and some of his sketches have led to colorful work and exhibits. His latest… Continue reading An educator by day, artist by night, he paints to celebrate jazz

From the ashes, a resurgent church emerges to serve its community

BY JEFFREY ZANKER and PHIL LAVERY NNB Student Reporters ST. PETERSBURG – When Louis M. Murphy Sr. became senior pastor at Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in 1999, he found a congregation in turmoil. The charismatic minister who had built Mt. Zion into a huge, dynamic church had suddenly resigned. The institution’s finances were… Continue reading From the ashes, a resurgent church emerges to serve its community

Nude photos? Controversy follows when he gets ‘creative’

BY KRISTIN STIGAARD NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG – Shortly after Cory Allen opened what he calls the “world’s first public relations gallery” at 2121 Second Ave. S last year, he announced plans for a provocative exhibit: Nude photos of actress Jennifer Lawrence, actress-model Kate Upton and others that had been hacked from the Internet.… Continue reading Nude photos? Controversy follows when he gets ‘creative’

Her credo? Expect the worst and hope for the best

BY ALYSSA MILES NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG— The excitement was palpable when the staff of Gov. Rick Scott phoned Marsha Strickhouser, the public relations manager for Valpak, to arrange a press conference March 26 at the company’s manufacturing center. The governor needed a place to discuss job creation and local tourism. Company executives rearranged… Continue reading Her credo? Expect the worst and hope for the best

Since he became pastor, attendance and membership have grown

BY CHELSI KALLIS NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG — It wasn’t a resume that landed the Rev. Doral R. Pulley the pastor position at the Unity of Midtown Church. It wasn’t his years of experience either. It was YouTube. The tiny church at 511 Prescott St. S was looking for a pastor when members saw… Continue reading Since he became pastor, attendance and membership have grown

Their Midtown vintage market draws thousands of customers

BY SAMANTHA PUTTERMAN NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG – Clawfoot bathtubs, bamboo vanity sets, hanging baseball bat lanterns and rotary telephones – these items and hundreds more can be found at Brocante Vintage Market at 2200 Second Ave. S. Brocante (pronounced “broh-cahnt) is the French word for “secondhand market or goods.” Though the difference between… Continue reading Their Midtown vintage market draws thousands of customers

Her job: make white people aware of blacks’ struggles

BY SAMANTHA OUIMETTE NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG – For Penny Hess, being a bystander to history was never an option. Although she was raised in conservative-leaning southern Indiana, Hess drifted increasingly leftward as a teenager and young woman. Then in 1976, she heard a speech by a fiery black activist from St. Petersburg named… Continue reading Her job: make white people aware of blacks’ struggles

His work graces public places and private homes around the country

Photos and story BY SEAN LEROUX NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG – Tucked inside an old, ramshackle building at the end of a bumpy driveway is the studio of an artist with a national reputation and ambitious plans for the city’s growing arts community. Mark G. Aeling, a sculptor and fabricator from St. Louis, moved… Continue reading His work graces public places and private homes around the country