Tampa Magazine: InterView: Nikki Gaskin-Capehart
Written and Published by Tampa Magazine by Hayli Zuccola
Before leading the Pinellas County Urban League – the first woman to do so – and founding her consultancy, the NGC Team, St. Petersburg native Nikki Gaskin-Capehart served as Director of Urban Affairs for the City of St. Petersburg under Mayor Rick Kriseman. With over 25 years of experience initiating and leading innovation across public, private and nonprofit sectors, she has held roles with the Urban League and has worked with Congresswoman Kathy Castor and Congressman Jim Davis, while also running her own small business.
In my current role, I oversee the Pinellas County Urban League’s strategic planning—both long- and short-term—along with fiscal management, operations and fundraising. I stay attuned to national and local issues as well as client needs to design innovative and transformative initiatives. Additionally, I implement Board of Directors policies, ensure effective governance, and lead the agency’s administration and staff to fulfill the Urban League’s mission.
Our vision is to be a trailblazing beacon in the community. Focusing on building generational wealth, systems change and shifting mindsets.
My mother worked for Allstate Insurance for the bulk of her career in accounting and spent some time working for the State of Florida. My dad worked in several places before finishing his career at the St. Pete. Times in Circulation Management.
I have fond memories of family road trips to Tallahassee for reunions with relatives, as well as my first solo trip—traveling by train from New York City back home after visiting my grandparents in Long Island. Interestingly, my youngest daughter has inherited a love for travel by train and still enjoys taking trips out of town by train.
Growing up, I wanted to be a lawyer and an entrepreneur. Although, I never got serious about doing well on the LSAT to become an attorney, I did achieve my dream of becoming an entrepreneur. I am a serial entrepreneur having pursued many business opportunities over the years and started my current business, the NGC Team, in 2022.
My first “official job” was as an intern for the Bay Plaza Corporation in a summer internship program very similar to the S.T.Y.L.E program that is under our Champion for Education and Community Leadership pillar at the Urban League. I am a prime example that programs like those work and can have long term lasting impact.
Photography by Gabriel Burgos
Some of my formative experiences took place growing up in the neighborhood affectionately known as the Deuces (22nd St. South). As a young child, I lived just a few blocks away from where I now aim to collaborate with community partners to develop the Sankofa Development—a new mixed-use commercial project. This initiative seeks to bring back and revitalize the corridor into a vibrant, walkable district where people can live, work, and play in a sustainable way for generations to come.
My immediate and extended family, especially my husband, have always been incredibly supportive of my life’s purpose to serve in this way—a journey I’ve been on since elementary school.
I’m most proud of maintaining a humble spirit, being authentic, and having a genuine love for people that is reflected in the way that I operate as a transformational leader.
My most surprising hobby or skill is being a consistent and eclectic motivator (I like music and yoga in the office and high kicks) for my team and they let me know how much they appreciate that I really see them. They value that I lead with emotional intelligence in a way that captures their attention and piques their interest to do more and go further together.
Something most people don’t know about me is that I love all forms of Martial Arts.
My favorite place to travel is anywhere new with a world class spa and places to eat within walking distance. It helps with achieving exercise goals while traveling.
The biggest item on my bucket list is to open an international spa and wellness site perfect for restoration retreats that I will tell you more about when it happens.
I believe my best quality is being a trusted, astute listener, and confidante for my family and friends.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
