The Black History Pageant at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg brought together the past and present as cast members from pageants of the past two decades joined together with 1998's participants.

Founded by Peggy Peterman, a former columnist for the St. Petersburg Times, the pageant was conceived out of a concern that African-American children had no place to showcase their talents.

That first show in Fellowship Hall at Bethel Community Baptist Church drew about 55 young participants and an audience of 15. Today's performances draw nearly 2,000 people.