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Ball for St.Petersburg’s First Black Mayor Ken Welch Discarded on Circus Theme: NPR

A prom planned for Ken Welch, the first Black mayor of St.Petersburg, Fla., was canceled due to concerns its circus theme was inappropriate in the once divided city. Welch is shown here on November 2, speaking to supporters in St.Petersburg, Fla.

Martha Asencio-Rhine / ampa Bay Times via AP


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Martha Asencio-Rhine / ampa Bay Times via AP

NS. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A prom planned for the first Black mayor of a major Florida city was canceled due to concerns its circus theme was inappropriate in the once divided city.

St.Petersburg’s Junior League, which has been throwing such balls since 2006, canceled the 2022 event after Mayor-elect Ken Welch refused to attend, Tampa Bay Times reported on Thursday.

The theme is “Under the Big Top”, with brochures featuring a circus tent and a black pelican in a top hat. Black community leaders pointed out that Blacks were once banned from attending a white-majority St.Petersburg circus and that the subject was disrespectful.

“He has nothing to do with circuses, clowns, animals,” said Bishop JC Pritchett, president of the International Union of Ministers. “He’s a gentleman. A kind gentleman and a civil servant.”

Adding to the concerns of Black leaders was a change of venue from the Colosseum or the more glamorous Mahaffey Theater – which had hosted gala dinners in the past – to a venue called the Colosseum. machine with outdoor space in a warehouse art district.

“For us, it’s inappropriate to have the mayor’s shadow in the warehouse and parking lot,” Pritchett said.

Junior League spokeswoman Lisa Brock notes that the balls are always themed, with the most recent ball in 2014 labeled “The Wizard of Oz”: “There’s no place like St.Petersburg .”

Brock called Welch’s decision “disappointing” but said the Junior League had added a board position focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. She said there could be an event in the future to honor the new mayor.

Welch said in a statement that the situation is a “teachable moment” for greater racial inclusion in the coastal city, which is about 70% white.

“St.Petersburg’s diversity is our greatest strength, and our community events must be inclusive and representative of all who live here,” Welch said.

Welch, a Democrat, takes office on January 6. Current Mayor Rick Kriseman will step down due to term limits.

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