News

The Neighborhood News Bureau Board helps promote our journalism values of truth, fairness and justice through representation of untold stories in the community. We thank our board members for their continued support and guidance as students listen to the voice of a community often ignored by mainstream media. NNB stories are published in local media outlets and archived on the website.

Board members:

Norman E. Jones, II

Norman E. Jones, II

Norman E. Jones II has been a seasonal resident of St. Petersburg, Florida since 1976. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Jones is a second-generation journalist. He began his career as a high school sports reporter in 1959. During the past 50 years, Jones has been a freelance correspondent for African-American newspapers in Ohio, Michigan and Florida.

During his journalism career, Jones covered sports, cultural and political events.

Since 1978, Jones has produced, presented and promoted African-American journalism proposals, projects and exhibitions in Columbus, Ohio and St. Petersburg, Fla. He serves on several non-profit community boards, including The American Stage, Fine Arts Peninsular, African-American Arts Council and the St. Petersburg Dr. Carter G. Woodson Museum.

Awards:
• 2010 – Key to the City of St. Petersburg, Fla.
• 2009 – The Art of Communication Award from the St. Petersburg Museum of History
• 2003 – Key to the City of Edenville, Fla.

Ronald L. Nelson

Ronald L. Nelson

A native Floridian, Nelson completed his undergraduate studies at Indiana University located in Bloomington, Indiana and then on to Thurgood Marshall School of Law located at  Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas, where he received his law degree.

Upon completing law school in 1994, Nelson returned to his native St. Petersburg and immediately went into private practice by starting Ronald L. Nelson, P.A. He has operated in this capacity ever since. Nelson’s areas of practice include Personal Injury Law, Employment and Labor Law, and Probate Law.

Nelson is currently a member of the Florida Bar, St. Petersburg Bar, Fred G. Minnis, Sr. Bar Association, and the Florida National Employment Lawyers Association. Nelson is licensed to practice in all State Courts of Florida, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Alfonso Woods

Alfonso Woods

Alfonso Woods is pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church (USA), St. Petersburg, Florida, and a native of Savannah, Georgia. He was educated in the parochial schools of the Roman Catholic Church culminating with his high school graduation from the prestigious Benedictine Military School, Savannah Georgia. He received his B.A. degree from Eckerd College (formerly Florida Presbyterian College) St. Petersburg, Florida and has done graduate studies at The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) Atlanta, Georgia.

Rev. Woods was ordained in the Baptist faith in 1998. He has worked in the church in some capacity his entire life. With more than 20 years in ministry,

Woods has been an insurance and financial services professional for more than 31 years. President and Founder of Ananias Financial Associates, Inc., he holds a number of licenses and certifications. Prior to forming Ananias Financial Associates, Woods served as an associate with a full-service financial planning company serving educators and upper-middle-income families. Over the years the business model has expanded to offer pension, retirement and tax planning solutions as well as cash management concepts to individual and small business clients.