NIKKI GASKINCAPEHART TO SERVE AS ST. PETERSBURG DIRECTOR OF URBAN AFFAIRS

(St. Petersburg, FL) Today, Mayor elect Rick Kriseman announced the appointment of Nikki Gaskin-Capehart to serve as Director of Urban Affairs.

“There is no better person to serve as St. Petersburg’s Director of Urban Affairs than Nikki Gaskin-Capehart. She is a natural problem solver with extensive experience assisting the residents and small business owners of South St. Petersburg,” said Mayor elect Rick Kriseman.

The Director of Urban Affairs will assist in developing the policy agenda for Midtown and South St. Petersburg, will work across city departments to ensure policies are being executed and services are being delivered, and will serve as the mayor's liaison to neighborhoods and small businesses in Midtown and the surrounding area. Ms. Gaskin-Capehart will work closely with Deputy Mayor Dr. Kanika Tomalin and other officials to spur economic development in the designated Community Redevelopment Area. She will report directly to Mayor Kriseman.

Said Gaskin-Capehart:“I am excited to serve my hometown and work with our new Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and community leaders to address many of the challenges facing the neighborhoods that I grew up in. I look forward to assisting the visionaries who have laid the strategic foundation for community and business development that will take our City to the next level.”

"Nikki's commitment to our community's progress is evident, surpassed only by her deep connections and lifetime of service. That commitment will accelerate our administration's efforts to engineer opportunities that yield significant benefits for the Midtown area. And, every avenue of our community will be better for it,” said Deputy Mayor designate Dr. Kanika Tomalin.

Ms. Gaskin-Capehart is a native of St. Petersburg, Florida where she lives with her family. Most recently, she has served as the Director of Communications and External Affairs for the Pinellas County Urban League. She was recently selected by the National Urban League to participate in the Whitney M. Young Jr., Emerging Leaders Program that trains its members to become leaders in the Urban League Movement.

Prior to her position with the Urban League, Nikki was the Deputy District Director for Congress woman Kathy Castor, Executive Director of the Partnership for a Healthier Pinellas, Outreach Director for Congressman Jim Davis, owner of Sanaa’ Systems Inc., and Assistant Vice President of Community Development Banking for Am South Bank.

She is a graduate of the University of South Florida and several leadership development programs including the National Urban Fellows, America’s Leaders of Change Cohort II program. She has over 15 years of experience as a professional with a proven track record of success in the public and private sectors. Ms. Gaskin-Capehart has devoted much of her professional life to expanding her skills in community, economic and youth development.

Information provided by the Kriseman Transition Team. 

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