Today is a historic day for the Sunshine City. Ken Welch will be inaugurated as St. Petersburg’s 54th mayor today. Three new City Council members also will be sworn in. Community events around town celebrate the day.
St. Petersburg's 54th Mayor, Kenneth T. Welch, was officially sworn into office Thursday morning with daughter Kenya Welch holding the bible. Watch the Mayor's live address at noon here. City of St. Petersburg
Ed Montanari, District 3 Council Member, leads the swearing-in ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members as it is held on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
Gina Driscoll, District 6 Council Member, is sworn in during the ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
Kelvin Jackson, the founder and Pastor of New Generations Ministries, Church of God in Christ, as he performs the National Anthem during the swearing-in ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members as it is held on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
Copley Gerdes, District 1 Council Member, is sworn in during the ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. On left is his wife Cecily Gerdes, along with their son Cade, 2, and daughter Calley, 4. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
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Lisset Hanewicz, District 4 Council Member, talks with reporters after the swearing-in ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members as it is held on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
Ed Montanari, District 3 Council Member, leads the swearing-in ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members as it is held on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
Lisset Hanewicz, District 4 Council Member, is sworn-in during the ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members as it is held on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
Kelvin Jackson, the founder and Pastor of New Generations Ministries, Church of God in Christ, as he performs the National Anthem during the swearing-in ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members as it is held on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
Brandi Gabbard, District 2 Council Member, is sworn in during the ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
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Richie Floyd, District 8 Council Member, is sworn in during the ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. From left is Floyd’s wife Miranda, Richie Floyd, his father Jerome and mother Tobie. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
Copley Gerdes, District 1 Council Member, is sworn in during the ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. On left is his wife Cecily Gerdes. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
Richie Floyd, District 8 Council Member, talks with reporters after the swearing-in ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members as it is held on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
The invocation is delivered by Reverend Kenneth Irby, Pastor of the Historic Bethel AME Church, during the swearing-in ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members as it is held on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. The event included the wearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
An invent program pictured in the hands of a spectator during the swearing-in ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members as it is held on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
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Richie Floyd, District 8 Council Member, smiles as he looks out to the audience before he is sworn in during the ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. From left is Floyd, District 7 Council Member Lisa Wheeler-Bowman, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll, and District 5 Council Member Deborah Figgs-Sanders. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
Copley Gerdes, District 1 Council Member, with his wife and kids after being is sworn in during the ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. From left is son Cade, 2, wife Cecily, Copley Gerdes and daughter Calley, 4. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
The swearing-in ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members as it is held on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
Richie Floyd, District 8 Council Member, greets friends after the swearing-in ceremony for St. Petersburg City Council Members as it is held on the front steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. The event included the swearing-in of newly-elected and re-elected St. Pete City Council Members: District 1 Council Member-Elect Copley Gerdes, District 2 Council Member Brandi Gabbard, District 4 Council Member-Elect Lisset Hanewicz, District 6 Council Member Gina Driscoll and District 8 Council Member-Elect Richie Floyd. DIRK SHADD | Times
Travis Flowers, 11, reacts with surprise, stating that he did not believe he’d win, during a mock election for fifth-grade Melrose President in Ms. Natalie El Amrani’s fifth-grade class at Melrose Elementary School, where Ken Welch attended, prior to watching the inauguration of Welch as the city’s first Black Mayor, Thursday, Jan.6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times
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Students watch Ken Welch’s swearing-in as the city’s first Black mayor, in Ms. Natalie El Amrani’s fifth-grade class at Melrose Elementary School, where Mayor Welch attended, Thursday, Jan.6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times
Calvin McGhee, 11, delivers an election speech while taking part in a mock election for fifth-grade Melrose President in Ms. Natalie El Amrani’s fifth-grade class at Melrose Elementary School, where Ken Welch attended, prior to watching the inauguration of Welch as the city’s first Black Mayor, Thursday, Jan.6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times
Travis Flowers, 11, shakes Ms. Natalie El Amrani’s hand during his swearing-in as fifth grade Melrose president after winning in a mock election in El Amrani’s fifth-grade class at Melrose Elementary School, where Ken Welch attended, prior to watching the inauguration of Welch as the city’s first Black Mayor, Thursday, Jan.6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times
A ballot box for student votes during a mock election for fifth-grade Melrose President in Ms. Natalie El Amrani’s fifth-grade class at Melrose Elementary School, where Ken Welch attended, prior to watching the inauguration of Welch as the city’s first Black Mayor, Thursday, Jan.6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times
Travis Flowers, 11, reacts with surprise, stating that he did not believe he’d win, during a mock election for fifth-grade Melrose President in Ms. Natalie El Amrani’s fifth-grade class at Melrose Elementary School, where Ken Welch attended, prior to watching the inauguration of Welch as the city’s first Black Mayor, Thursday, Jan.6, 2022 in St. Petersburg. MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times
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Attendees clap after watching via television, newly sworn-in St. Petersburg Mayor, Ken Welch delivers his virtual inaugural address at the Woodson Museum of Florida on Thursday afternoon, January 6, 2022. From 2nd row left are: Esther Eugene, President of the St. Petersburg Chapter NAACP: newly elected St. Petersburg council member, Ritchie Flyod and Executive director of the Woodson Museum, Terri Lipsey-Scott (standing). Front row from left are: Pinellas County Commissioner, Renee Flowers; St. Petersburg Council Members, Lisa Wheeler-Bowman and Deborah Figg-Sanders and Pinellas County School Board member, Caprice Edmond. BOYZELL HOSEY | Times
Saxophonist, Jordan Bolds plays a rendition of “Lift Every Voice,” at a watch party preceding newly sworn-in St. Petersburg Mayor, Ken Welch deliver his virtual inaugural address at the Woodson Museum of Florida on Thursday afternoon, January 6, 2022. BOYZELL HOSEY | Times
St. Petersburg resident Delceda Thompson observes a program of events at a virtual watch party for newly sworn-in St. Petersburg Mayor, Ken Welch held at the Woodson Museum of Florida on Thursday afternoon, January 6, 2022. BOYZELL HOSEY | Times
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