St. Pete's Mayor To Co-Host 2022 Academy Award Watch Party

ST. PETE, FL — St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch is co-hosting an Academy Awards watch party Sunday to celebrate one of St. Pete’s own native sons, Will Packer, who will produce the event.

Packer will be part of the first ever all-Black production team for the awards.

“St. Petersburg is proud of Will Packer’s success in the film and entertainment industry, and thrilled that he is making history as part of the first all-Black production
team for the Academy Awards,” said St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch in a news release.

“He is setting an example for children and young adults anywhere that through hard work and dedication, anything can be achieved," the mayor continued.

The Woodson African American Museum of Florida will host the watch party at its Legacy Garden located at 2240 9th Ave. South in St. Pete.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Mayor Welch will deliver remarks ahead of the awards at 7:45 p.m. The awards begin at 8 p.m. on ABC from Dolby Theater in Hollywood, California.

Packer was born in St. Pete in 1974. A celebrated film and television producer, he has produced several highly acclaimed productions over the last 20 years, including the "Girls Trip," "That Girl Lay Lay," "Ride Along," "Night School,""Roots," "Stop the Yard" and "No Good Deed."

This will be Packer’s first involvement with the Academy Awards, which is broadcast worldwide.