About MBC Gulfport

Meet Bad@ss Gulfport Woman, Courtney Prokopas!
Grassroots Community Organizer and Civic Engager
Founder of Gulfportlandia 

"I came to Florida mid-pandemic to be a caregiver for my grandmother, and in the process, I fell in love with this town during a visit on a blazing July Tuesday. Tuesdays have since become my favorite days—when the town collectively pauses its worldly duties to gather in community, from the weekly Fresh Market to clothing swaps, community garden meet-ups, and city council meetings. Together, we span time and greet one another, strengthening the fabric of this dynamic city that feels more like a village.

Before Gulfport, I was based in Chicago, but traveled the world as a circus performer and festival organizer. My specialties were tightwire dancing and juggling. Now, I juggle community organizing and balance a much different tightrope—one of collaboration and civic engagement. Here in Gulfport, I focus on bolstering sharing economies and solutions to community needs through Gulfportlandia, a citizens’ collective amplifying community-led efforts. I’m launching a Tool Library, a community resource that lends tools and equipment to empower neighbors to tackle home projects, reduce waste, and foster a sharing economy. I’m also spearheading the Gulfport Coastline Coalition, which focuses on protecting our coastline through sustainable initiatives and resilience-building in partnership with local residents, organizations, and government. I'm an advocate for inclusion and sustainable development through the local non-profit Fusion 49—where I’m particularly excited about collective vision-building across borders and jurisdictions. 

I have an insatiable curiosity and love picking up new skills, whether it’s disaster relief logistics through working for World Central Kitchen, training my high-needs pups (Dottie, who is highly anxious, and Feelings, who was born blind and deaf), or improving my proficiency of other languages. This month, I’m working alongside my best pal and neighbor, Hayley Gardner, to orchestrate the relocation of her Chinese Medicine Herbal Pharmacy, Estuary Herbs, to Gulfport. I am designing the space and doing a custom build-out. I fancy myself a jack-of-all-trades, master of none, and perfectly delighted to be just that!

Fun fact? I adore Gulfport’s food forest and my partner Matthew and I have our very own food forest yard. We share the notion that there's always room for one more tree, especially if it bears a rare tropical fruit."

Thank you for sharing, Courtney! We think you're AWESOME!

Meet Juliana Baron
Guide, coach, healer, mother
@returntoorigen  - www.returntoorigen.com

"I was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia and migrated to the US in 2005. I visited Gulfport a few times since moving to St. Pete in 2018, always attracted to the energy of the town and the kindness of its people. Some of my close friends live in Gulfport and they introduced me to the local "ways" and places! The decision to move here was a dream that manifested last September as a serendipitous opportunity created through a dear friend - Evy, an amazing human and also active member of the community!

My project is ‘Return to Origen.’ My purpose is to guide women and men in their journey back to their roots, their true nature, by teaching and sharing ancient tools, practices and medicines that bring healing and harmony to the body, mind and spirit. I offer a combination of coaching, sound healing modalities, reiki, and serve as bridge to indigenous wisdom from my country, through cultural and spiritual immersion retreats. Although I hold some local gatherings and facilitate 1-1 and group sound therapy and healing circles, most of my retreat work takes place is Colombia, with the mission to bring awareness, support regenerative tourism, and also support local indigenous families, healers, artists, farmers and creators that are deeply connected to the earth and the ancestral knowledge.  

I love being part of the Gulfport community that in such a short time has welcomed and supported me in beautiful ways, including allowing me to share my gifts in authenticity and connect with likeminded humans called to this path. I have been surprised by the vibes of intentionality, cooperation and generosity of the Gulfport people. I look forward to hosting future events in Gulfport!"

Meet Bonnie Sklaren!
Retired Nurse, Political Activist, and Volunteer

I was born in Cleveland, Ohio but grew up in Hollywood, California, with a relatively short stint in New York City. It was there I did my basic education as a Registered Nurse. However, I received my Bachelor’s and Master Degrees in Nursing in California, as well as my training as a Nurse Practitioner.

I moved to Florida in 1984 with my significant other and immediately joined my professional association the Florida Nurse’s Association. It was through the advocacy for nurses in Florida as well as nationally that I became politically active.  Sadly, so much of how health care is delivered is determined in the Legislatures, not by the professionals!

The American Nurses Association was the first to endorse Bill Clinton for his first run for the Presidency, I was off and running—making phone calls and attending rallies and promoting his Health Care reform agenda. It was only natural for me to segue into local politics. I have canvassed, phone banked and recruited volunteers for Statewide and local candidates since 1985, focused on candidates who supported our health care agenda. I was chair of the Political Action Committee for the Florida Nurses Association for many years. We vetted Statewide candidates from Governor to State Senate and House of Representatives, providing financial and boots-on-the-ground support for those we felt would help us provide safe and quality health care.

While National Politics is of great importance, local elected officials affect our daily lives to a great extent. We need to focus on our County Commission seats, School Board, House and Senate and local city council. My focus for the past 20 years has been to support and volunteer in these races. Most recently our Gulfport Council elections.

I have seen Gulfport grow from a place you did not want to admit living, into a thriving, welcoming city. I constantly hear people state, “I love Gulfport.” Our arts community, restaurants and unique boutiques attract people from all over the Tampa Bay area. As a community we have all made this transformation happen, we all need to stay informed and involved to keep it that way!