St. Petersburg College Hosts Keys To Manhood Seminar Next Month

SEMINOLE, FL — St. Petersburg College will host the 10th annual Keys to Manhood (K2M) Seminar on Friday, March 4, from 8:30 a.m. until noon. This year, the seminar will be held at the St. Petersburg College Seminole Campus, 9200 113th St. N, Seminole.

Success Stories

Over the past decade, this free seminar has reached over 1000 young men, normally from underserved backgrounds. This year’s free K2M seminar will engage high school males of color in discussions about mental health, life skills, healthy eating, and healthy interactions. These young men also hear from others who have faced adversity and how they overcame obstacles in life.

SPC Student Life and Leadership Coordinator Jason Nicholson says it is important for young men to hear success stories of others who have struggled.

“Every one of us faces certain challenges along the path to our goals,” he said. “In many cases, these challenges are not things we can change or fix. All a person can do is draw on their skills, experience and support structures to shape a better future moving forward. Challenges are also growth opportunities. It’s important for young men to not only know and understand that, but to hear how others have built their own futures, despite past adversity.”

Special Guests

Each year, the conference is highlighted by a keynote discussion panel. The theme this year is “The Keys to the Future are in Your Hand” and will feature keynote speaker Reverend Kenny Irby. Irby is a community leader, Senior Pastor at the Historic Bethel AME church, and the Community Intervention Director for the St. Petersburg Police Department.

“These speakers really get personal,” Nicholson said. “There is usually a healthy-dose of ‘real talk’ that young men don’t always get to hear. You can feel the buzz in the room. That has been a consistent approach for a decade now and we are going to provide the same experience this year.”

SPC PITCH Program Coordinator Ernest Gant believes this seminar will be essential in the lives of the young men who attend.

“The powerful testimonials shared by these dynamic speakers will leave a long-lasting impression on students for years to come,” Gant said.

Other offerings at the seminar will include information regarding mental health, life skills, healthy eating, and interacting with law enforcement. There will also be random drawings among attendees for scholarships and prizes, thanks to generous sponsors. But Nicholson said the real prize is the experience.

SPC Provost Tashika Griffith said she hopes the young men who attend realize that they are not alone in their hopes and fears.

“They are attending this event with so many peers from across Pinellas County, yet they are all together sitting in their seats wondering, nervous, excited, and with similar questions about life,” Griffith said. “In that way, the event reminds them they share this journey with others, and they are not alone.”

Anyone interested in attending can contact Jason Nicholson at Nicholson.Jason@spcollege.edu.

This press release was produced by the St. Petersburg College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.