SPPF MASTR Kids® Program presents its annual “Blacks N’ Wax” Event
Walk into history. See and hear the stories of prominent local African Americans from the students who admire them!
On Wednesday, February 26th, 2025: With the theme Rich in History – We Are St. Pete, the scholars of the Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation M.A.S.T.R. Kids® Program are hosting a living wax museum to showcase and celebrate prominent local African Americans in politics, business, medicine, science, entertainment and more whose stories have inspired our scholars.
This living museum will portray figures and tell their stories from the eyes of our K-8th graders. Some are ancestors, some are still with us. All have accomplishments that spark courage, imagination, determination and positive self-image.
This living wax museum of scholars is the brainchild of SPPF Academic Director, Keisha Snead, who says “I chose this event because it allows our scholars to totally immerse themselves in the historical figure. Not only are they researching this person, but they are trying to tap into something that resonates with them personally. It is also teaching them the first steps of public speaking!”
Some of the individuals who will be portrayed include:
- Shirley Proctor Puller, a lifelong Pinellas County educator
- St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch
- C. Bette Wimbish, civil rights activist and the first African American woman to serve on the St. Petersburg City Council
- Current St. Petersburg City Council Member Deborah Figgs-Sanders
- Judge Patrice Moore, Florida 6th Circuit Court
- Pinellas County School Board Member Caprice Edmond
- Saundra Weathers, Bay News 9 Reporter
- Elijah Moore, the original Mr. I Got ‘Em
- Will Packer, Film Producer
- St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway
- Terri Lipsey Scott, Executive Director, The Woodson African American Museum of Florida
- And MORE!
The SPPF MASTR Kids® Program’s Blacks-N-Wax Museum will open its doors to the public at 4:30 pm on Wednesday, February 26th, 2024, at 701 Queen Street South (at the back of John Hopkins Middle School) in St. Petersburg, Florida.
SPPF’s C.E.O. says “celebrating resilience, triumphs, and the profound impact of Black Americans happens daily because they are integral to the development of our scholars’ self-perception and self-esteem. Every story is a testament to the strength and brilliance within. It reinforces our claims about the scholars' capability.”
About The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation
WEBSITE: www.sppf.org
ORGANIZATION MISSION:
The mission of the Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation (SPPF) is to advance reading, math, and science literacy to help close the achievement gap for black/brown/multi-race children in the “at-risk” community of South St. Petersburg breaking the cycle of generational poverty and economic immobility. Our vision is for our students to have unlimited opportunities for careers and economic mobility as they are highly sought after by post-secondary schools and employers.
SPPF has consistently proven our ability to make a difference for the scholars attending the M.A.S.T.R. Kids® Program with consistency. During the 23/24 academic year, 42% improved by 1 grade level and 18% improved by 2 or more grade levels. For scholars in the program for a full 12 months, grade-level reading increased from 27% to 70%. This year, SPPF will serve nearly 300 scholars; by 2027, our goal is to serve 400 scholars annually.
WHAT WE NEED: funding to support programs, tutoring volunteers, teachers, and assistants to work in the program, local experts to serve as career enthusiasts and share details about the path to success in their field.