USF Black Alumni Society

Meet Our Mistress of Ceremonies: Deanne King

We’re honored to welcome back Deanne King for a second year as Mistress of Ceremonies for the 2026 Juneteenth Beacon of Change Celebration.

A WFLA News Anchor, podcast host, and proud USF alumna, Deanne is known for her impactful storytelling and community centered reporting. Through her work on WFLA and as co-host of the Rooted in Progress podcast, she continues to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and highlight the people making a difference throughout Tampa Bay.

Join us as Deanne helps lead an unforgettable evening celebrating leaders whose service, vision, and impact are creating lasting change in our communities.

June 13, 2026 | 6 PM – 9 PM
📍 USF Alumni Center

Early Bird tickets have ended, but a limited number of tickets are still available. Ticket purchase includes a plated dinner with a vegan option available.

Tickets & Tables:
https://eventful.usf.edu/alumni/groups/juneteenth-beacon-change-2026

Good food. Great company. A meaningful celebration.

We’re excited to announce BAJA’s Southern Kitchen as the official caterer for our 2nd Annual Juneteenth Beacon of Change Celebration!

Join us for an evening of inspiration, community, and BAJA’s Southern hospitality as we honor leaders making a lasting impact throughout Tampa Bay. Guests will enjoy a delicious plated meal, including vegan options, while celebrating the legacy, resilience, and progress that Juneteenth represents.

TOMORROW is the last day to secure Early Bird ticket pricing! Tickets are currently $50 and will increase to $60 on June 2.

June 13, 2026 | 6PM–9PM
📍 USF Alumni Center
Reserve your seat or table today: https://eventful.usf.edu/alumni/groups/juneteenth-beacon-change-2026

Can’t make it this year? Consider sponsoring a student ticket. We’ll ensure your generosity helps a student attend and participate in this inspiring Juneteenth celebration.

With more than 35 years of dedicated public service, Chief Keith Watts has built a career rooted in leadership, excellence, and community impact. Beginning his fire service career in 1991 with Orange County Fire Rescue while simultaneously serving as a Combat Medic in the Florida Army National Guard, Chief Watts has risen through nearly every operational rank: including firefighter/EMT, driver engineer, lieutenant, battalion chief, division chief, and now Fire Rescue Chief of St. Petersburg Fire Rescue.

Since being appointed Fire Rescue Chief in 2024, Chief Watts has continued advancing emergency response operations, training, equipment modernization, employee wellness, and community risk reduction strategies to better serve the nearly 270,000 residents of St. Petersburg.

A champion for mentorship and leadership development, Chief Watts has also helped lead impactful community initiatives including Shop with a Firefighter, Girls’ Camp Ignite, Climbing the Ladder Internal Job Fair, and the department’s Health & Wellness Fair. All while advocating for mental health support and future opportunities within public safety.

At a time when representation and community centered leadership matter more than ever, it is truly an honor to recognize two Black Fire Chiefs serving and protecting our Tampa Bay communities while being the change we need to see. True Beacons of Change in public service.

JOIN US June 13, 2026 | 6PM–9PM
📍 USF Alumni Center

Early Bird Tickets end June 1
Ticket purchase includes a 3-course meal with vegan option available

Tickets & Tables:
https://eventful.usf.edu/alumni/groups/juneteenth-beacon-change-2026

From East Tampa to the highest rank in public safety, Chief Barbara Tripp has built a legacy rooted in service, sacrifice, and leadership. A proud Tampa native and Hillsborough High graduate, she first answered the call to serve in the United States Navy before returning home to dedicate her life to public safety.

With more than 31 years in the fire service and 28 years with the City of Tampa, Chief Tripp rose through nearly every rank in Tampa Fire Rescue making history in 2021 as the first female Fire Chief in Tampa Fire Rescue history.

In addition to her fire service career, Chief Tripp is also a Registered Nurse with advanced degrees in emergency management and nursing. Her leadership has helped strengthen emergency operations, training, and community preparedness throughout Tampa Bay.

Beyond the badge, she remains deeply committed to mentoring youth, supporting families in need, and uplifting the community through service and compassion.

We are proud to recognize Chief Barbara Tripp as our Public Service Honoree: celebrating leaders in government, education, and advocacy who are shaping a safer, stronger, and more equitable future ✨

JOIN US June 13, 2026 | 6PM–9PM
📍 USF Alumni Center

Early Bird Tickets end June 1
Ticket purchase includes a 3-course meal with vegan option available

Tickets & Tables:
https://eventful.usf.edu/alumni/groups/juneteenth-beacon-change-2026

A trailblazer, educator, pastor, mentor, and community visionary, no truly embodies the meaning of a Legacy Builder. With more than 40 years in education within Hillsborough County Schools, she has dedicated her life to uplifting youth, preserving history, and serving the community through leadership and mentorship.

A proud Bethune Cookman College alumna, Dr. Tucker-Johnson made history as the first African American crowned Miss Daytona Beach Florida in the pageant’s 63 year history. Her legacy of breaking barriers continued as a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Cheerleader, educator, television talk show host, pastor, and founder of Mentors For Ministry.

Today, she continues creating lasting impact as President of the Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coalition and CEO of the National Juneteenth Ambassador Initiative Program: ensuring Black history, culture, and community excellence remain celebrated for generations to come.

We are honored to recognize Dr. Philetha Tucker-Johnson as our 2026 Beacon of Change Legacy Builder Honoree ✨

June 13, 2026 | 6PM–9PM
📍 USF Alumni Center

Early Bird Tickets end July 1

Ticket purchase includes a plated dinner with vegan option available

Tickets & Tables link:
https://eventful.usf.edu/alumni/groups/juneteenth-beacon-change-2026

Honoring grassroots leadership, cultural preservation, and community impact.

As the founder of Black Tampa Historians, Ashley has become a leading voice in preserving and sharing Tampa’s Black history through storytelling, archival research, photography, videography, and public education initiatives.

Known throughout the community for sharing Tampa’s Black history “three minutes at a time” during Tampa City Council meetings, Ashley continues to ensure the stories, contributions, and legacy of Black Tampa are not forgotten. Through her platform, educational programming, docuseries If We Listen, and community engagement efforts, she has made local Black history more accessible, visible, and impactful for future generations.

Her work has been recognized across Tampa Bay media and community spaces for bringing overlooked stories into public view and creating meaningful conversations around history, preservation, and civic engagement.

The University of South Florida Black Alumni Society and the COACH Foundation are proud to recognize Ashley Canay Morrow as the recipient of the 2026 Community Champion Honoree at the Juneteenth Beacon of Change Awards Celebration.

June 13, 2026 | 6PM–9PM
📍 USF Alumni Center

Early Bird Tickets end June 1
Ticket purchase includes a 3 course meal with vegan option available

Tickets & Tables are now available. Use the link here:
https://eventful.usf.edu/alumni/groups/juneteenth-beacon-change-2026 to secure your seat

From the football field to the construction site, Sam Barrington continues redefining what leadership, resilience, and economic impact look like in our communities. As a proud 2x USF Black Alumni and President/CEO of Sky Limit Crane & Rigging, Sam has helped lead major commercial and infrastructure projects across Florida, including work connected to the Orlando Magic Training Facility, JW Marriott Tampa, USF Research Park, the new USF Football Stadium, and large scale heavy lift operations throughout the Southeast.

A former NFL linebacker turned business leader, Sam has built more than a company, he’s building pathways. Through his commitment to workforce development, skilled trades, and economic inclusion, he continues creating opportunities for underrepresented communities while driving growth within the construction and heavy machinery industries.

We are proud to recognize Sam Barrington as our 2026 Beacon of Change Business Impact Honoree: celebrating entrepreneurs and professionals whose vision, leadership, and commitment continue creating lasting economic opportunity and community transformation.

Join Us June 13, 2026 | 6PM–9PM
📍 USF Alumni Center

Early Bird Tickets end June 1st
Tickets & Tables can be purchased here: https://eventful.usf.edu/alumni/groups/juneteenth-beacon-change-2026

Announcing the 2026 Juneteenth Beacon of Change Honorees

The University of South Florida Black Alumni Society and the COACH Foundation are proud to recognize this year’s Beacon of Change leaders whose impact, service, and dedication continue to strengthen and uplift communities throughout the Tampa Bay region.

Business Impact | Sam Barrington
USF Alumni & Owner of Sky Limit Crane

Community Champion | Ashley Morrow
Public Historian & Founder of

Public Service | Chief Barbara Tripp & Chief Keith Watts
First Black Fire Chiefs of Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida

Legacy Builder Award | Dr. Tucker-Johnson
CEO of the National Juneteenth Ambassador Initiative program

Join us as we celebrate these remarkable leaders and an evening dedicated to Black excellence, leadership, legacy, and community impact at the Juneteenth Beacon of Change Celebration on June 13, 2026.

Tickets are now available. Use the link https://eventful.usf.edu/alumni/groups/juneteenth-beacon-change-2026 to secure your seat.

Stay tuned as we spotlight each honoree individually in the coming days and give our community an opportunity to learn more about the incredible work and impact behind each recipient.

Join the COACH Foundation and the University of South Florida Black Alumni Society for an evening celebrating Black excellence, leadership, and community impact across the Tampa Bay region.

This inspiring event will honor changemakers making a meaningful difference through leadership, service, and advocacy while bringing together professionals, community leaders, and supporters for a night of celebration and connection.

This event is not just for USF alumni to attend, but for all those who want to support and be surrounded by Black excellence, leadership, and like minded individuals committed to uplifting our communities.

Saturday, June 13, 2026
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
USF Alumni Center

Your ticket includes event entry and a curated three course meal. Dinner will be served promptly at 7 PM.

Tickets are now live, and early bird pricing is expected to sell out quickly. Secure your seat today here: https://eventful.usf.edu/alumni/groups/juneteenth-beacon-change-2026

Didn’t get the email with the Zoom link? No worries, we got you!

Join us in LESS THAN AN HOUR for the Black Alumni Weekend 2026 Planning Committee Virtual Meeting at 6PM EST.

Whether you’re in Tampa or across the country, we want your voice, ideas, and energy in the room as we begin planning another unforgettable Black Alumni Weekend.

Tonight 6:00 PM EST Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89301000299?pwd=IA2GwnhcRqsQK1nFtbDC9BMQI0kIhg.1

Let’s build something special together 🤘🏾

Mark your calendars, Black Alumni Family! 🐂

2026 Black Alumni Weekend is officially set for September 17–20, 2026 and we’re looking for alumni from near and far to help us plan another unforgettable weekend.

Join us for our Virtual Planning Committee Meeting:
Monday, May 11 at 6:00 PM EST

No matter what state you’re in, you can still be a part of the committee and help shape the experience. This weekend is for US, by US and we want voices, ideas, and perspectives from alumni across the country to help make this year bigger, better, and more meaningful for the Black Alumni family.

Interested in joining the meeting or committee?
📩 Comment PLAN and we’ll DM you the link