Our Purpose – The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation
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Our Purpose: Preparing a New Generation of Leaders

A History of Inequity Created an Achievement Gap

South St. Petersburg, historically a diverse, predominantly Black community, has existed adjacent to downtown St. Pete for more than 160 years. The community has been consistently under-resourced for decades, impacting generations of residents.

Educational inequity is a longstanding, well-documented, issue in South St. Petersburg. Frustrated parents, community advocates and district leaders acknowledge that the Pinellas County School District still struggles to meet the educational needs of Black students.

1964

Bradley lawsuit — forced desegregation and federal supervision

2000

District Monitoring and Advisory Committee (DMAC) established by court order to monitor and advise the district in its implementation of unitary status

2000

Crowley lawsuit — racial discrimination claim sought declaratory and equitable relief

2005

Decision in favor of Crowley

2010

Concerned Organization for Quality Education for Black Students, Inc. (COQEBS) established to monitor compliance with the class action settlement

2015

“Failure Factories” — Tampa Bay Times Series

2016

Pinellas County Schools launches “Bridging The Gap” Plan

2020

COVID — black students disproportionately impacted

2022

Kevin Hendricks appointed as Superintendent of Pinellas County Schools

2024

Glimmer of Progress — 7.9% PCS gap closure post Hendricks appointment

Creating Equity in Education For Scholars Fuels Change

SPPF exists to change the trajectory of south St. Pete by preparing a new generation of community residents and leaders. We are committed to ensuring community scholars have access to the resources they need to achieve and perform as future leaders. We are preparing scholars to be secure in their ability to compete within careers that provide an opportunity for self-fulfillment and the earning power to sustain their families. We are not alone in creating this equity. Our timing is perfect as new leadership within our school district is committed and making concerted efforts toward systemic change. There is also a broad push by area funders to address literacy concerns and there is growing awareness among parents and community advocates about the specifics of what’s needed to drive improvements for our children. In the immortal words of Sam Cooke “change gonna come!”