BY LAURA MULROONEY
NNB Reporter
ST. PETERSBURG – It was not her passion but Sandra Gadsden played basketball regardless.
For her achievements on the court, she was inducted into the South Carolina State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.
So, why did she play basketball?
“It wasn’t inspiration, it was a growth spurt,” Gadsden said.
Although she wasn’t inspired to play basketball, it inspired her outlook on life. Her experience at South Carolina State University showed her how people who are considered different and marginalized deal with and navigate life.
“When you see it for the first time it’s hard to pinpoint what it is, people there go beyond just being your professor, they advise you on life, they prepare you for the real world outside of campus…you learn about adversity” Gadsden said.
Gadsden shared her story of perseverance with students from Mt. Zion Christian Academy as part of the third installment of “Light at the End of the Tunnel”, a series of storytelling events Feb. 12, at the “Blue Sunnel.”
Artist Ya La’ford designed the “Blue Sunnel” mural as a reminder to residents that they can find hope in the darkest of places. The Sunnel is an underground tunnel between Tropicana Field and Central Avenue.
The “Blue Sunnel” provided a living-room like ambience, lit with invigorating blue lights where the children sat with community leaders.
Councilwoman Darden Rice, police chief Anthony Holloway, St. Petersburg director of urban affairs Nikki Gaskin‐Capehart, and artist Bob Barancik joined Gadsden to speak about gun violence, the city budget and how to become a police officer.
The children came prepared with well prepared questions for each guest speaker. The students are assigned a research class project, where La’ford guides them through research methods for each panelist and teaches them how to ask questions that they can learn from.
The intent of the class project is to prepare students for public speaking, critical thinking and to improve their listening skills.
“These events really have grown into a magical real life field trip, kids get an experience outside of their regular routine, it challenges all of their senses: listening, thinking, speaking,” said La’ford.
When asked how to become an elected official, Rice advised the students to get involved at school, student government and in the community.
“We can get so much more done by getting involved with other people,” said Rice.
As the event concluded guest speakers shared words of inspiration with the students.
“It doesn’t matter where you start,” Gadsden said. “You all have an opportunity to make an impact in the lives of other people.”
La’ford’s next event is with the SunLit Festival, where children are invited to participate in a community literacy mural titled “Lift Every WORD and READ” at the James Weldon Johnson Community Center Mar. 5.