Tallahassee Woman Magazine June - July 2024

JUNE /JULY 2024

TALENT SHAPING TALLAHASSEE

SISTER SPEAK! Carrie Boyd

ON NEGOTIATING Self-Talk for Mental Health

Dana Brooks Scams & AI

SCALLOP & SHRIMP SALAD

WOMEN ON FIRE AWARDS

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CONTENTS

8. LETTER FROM PUBLISHER 10. LETTER FROM GUEST EDITOR

CULTURE & CUISINE

12. SIZZLE IN STYLE BOLD MAXI DRESSES TAKING SUMMER

BY STORM! 14. SCALLOP & SHRIMP SALAD 16. MIDTOWN READS

LIVING LOCAL 18. AROUND TOWN: SISTER SPEAK AT VINO BEANO 20. WE ELEVATE: ATTORNEY RUBY BARR & LAUREN STAFFORD

ON THE COVER

22. TALETHIA EDWARDS MOM OF 8.

DEVOTED WIFE. COMMUNITY ADVOCATE. HAVEN FOR THE VULNERABLE. CHANGEMAKER. AUTHOR.

BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP

28. LEGAL WRITES WITH DANA BROOKS 30. STACKED: WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE WITH CARRIE BOYD 32. 2024 WWMB AWARD FINALISTS & WINNERS

12

MIND, BODY & SPIRIT

48. SILENCING THE INNER CRITIC: TRANSFORMING SELF-TALK FOR BETTER MENTAL HEALTH

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

32

50. LISTEN UP: MASTERING THE ART OF ACTIVE LISTENING FOR BETTER WELL-BEING 51. WE INSPIRE

22

22. ABOUT THE COVER: | PHOTOGRAPHY: KIRA DERRYBERRY | MUA: IMAGE BY LISA | HAIR: TANYA EVANS: EIGHT FIVE ZERO SALON | NAILS: IMAGE NAIL SPA & SALON | DRESS: PRIVATE COLLECTION

tallahassee woman | 4 | june • july 2024

10

tallahassee woman | 5 | june • july 2024

WOM A N

MAGAZINE CRISTINA CARTER Relationship Manager

Publisher | Editor-in-Chief

BRIANA SMITH Creative Consultant

KIRA DERRYBERRY PHOTOGRAPHER

OLIVIA HEYWARD Creative Director

TALLAHASSEE WOMAN MAGAZINE is a publication of Mitcham Media Group LLC Post Office Box 16616 Tallahassee, FL 32317-3401 Phone (850) 893-9624 publisher@TalWoman.com Tallahassee Woman is published six times per year and is distributed on a complimentary basis throughout Tallahassee and the surrounding communities.

ADVERTISING For advertising, visit talwoman.com, call (850) 893-9624, or e-mail ads@TalWoman.com.

The information in this publication is presented in good faith.

The publisher does not guarantee accuracy or assume responsibility for errors or omissions.

Copyright © 2024 Mitcham Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in part or in whole, without expressed written consent of the Publisher is prohibited.

TALLAHASSEE WOMAN MAGAZINE IS A

T A LWO M A N .C O M

Executive Editor

Director of Leadership Initiatives

CONTRIBUTORS

Dr. Michelle Mitcham

LACI SWANN

PAULA DEBOLES-JOHNSON

CERTIFIED MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

tallahassee woman | 6 | june • july 2024

Kira Derryberry is a Tallahassee-based portrait photographer specializing in families, headshots and boudoir and commercial photography. She books locally in Tallahasee and is available for travel worldwide. View Kira's portfolio online at kiraderryberry.com

tallahassee woman | 7 | june • july 2024

PUBLISHER LETTER

Embrace Your Evolution, Elevate Your Potential, Empower Your Journey

W

elcome to a new season of growth and opportunity, where change is the only constant. As we navigate through life, we are all evolving on personal and professional levels, embarking on journeys of self-discovery and empowerment. Whether it's in our careers, relationships, or spiritual paths, each experience contributes to our evolution, allowing us to elevate our lives and empower ourselves to reach new heights.

In this issue, we celebrate the remarkable Talethia Edwards, a shining example of talent and resilience. Her story, beautifully captured by guest editor Shannon Smith, is sure to inspire and uplift you. As we embrace change and welcome new experiences, we open ourselves up to endless possibilities for growth and success.

Join us as we toast to our 18th anniversary at Vino Beano and come together for our upcoming Wine & Wisdom Sister Speak event on June 6th. Let us continue to support and uplift one another as we navigate our unique paths towards fulfillment and empowerment.

Wishing you a summer filled with joy, safety, and endless opportunities for growth. We can't wait to see you soon, ready to conquer new challenges and embrace the power of your evolution.

Dr. Michelle Mitcham CEO & Publisher Tallahassee Woman Magazine

Photo by Kira Derryberry Photography

tallahassee woman | 8 | june • july 2024

WEEKLY Events Sip &Study

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7pm-9pm Complimentary glass of wine with any food purchase Must purchase any item to play*

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tallahassee woman | 9 | june • july 2024

GUEST EDITOR LETTER We are so fortunate to have a platform like Tallahassee Woman, where we can honor the achievements of other women and use them as a roadmap to find our own.

-Shannon C. Smith

I have the fortune of working for the Moore Agency – a woman-founded company – and of having so many women-owned businesses and endeavors to support – from bookstores and boutiques to nonprofits and, of course, this magazine.

Shannon C. Smith

W

hen I moved here 16 years ago, I was a longtime newspaper reporter from South and Central Florida who had just been hired to work in the Executive Office of the Governor as deputy press secretary and speechwriter. I knew very few people, and while I knew the “bubble” that is the Capitol building, I did not know much about the community around it.

But it did not take long for me to see and feel that Tallahassee is different and special -- especially for women like me who are all about what I call “GSD.” As in: Get Stuff Done. Yes, this is historically a southern community that is closer to Georgia than most of the rest of Florida – with a tradition of men in power. And yes, the sad history of segregation and plantation life here is still evident today in more ways than I would like.

Yet, I have found this to be a community that stands up and says yes when there is a need. In my time here alone, I have led over $75,000 in fundraisers for important causes ranging from child welfare and education to animal rescue. Often, it is the strong women of Tallahassee leading these initiatives.

When publisher Dr. Michelle Mitcham asked me to guest edit this issue featuring Talethia Edwards, the answer was an instant yes. Talethia is the best example of what we should all hope to embody as women, as “GSDs”. Whatever the need is, she gets it done – for her community, for her family, for her own personal development.

We are so fortunate to have a platform like Tallahassee Woman, where we can honor the achievements of other women and use them as a roadmap to find our own. Thank you for letting me be a small part of this important work.

Shannon C. Smith is a Managing Director at the Moore Agency, where she also leads the in-house wellness program Thrive Moore and co-leads the community outreach program, Moore Impact. A former Capitol Press Corps reporter, she moved to Tallahassee in 2008 and served as deputy press secretary and speechwriter for Gov. Charlie Crist before joining Moore in 2010.

She is a passionate wellness leader, having owned and operated a Midtown fitness studio for 5 years. Today she teaches group fitness at Premier Health & Fitness. She and her husband Chris Smith own Ground Ops Roastery + Bakehouse in Midtown. Between them, they have 4 sons, a grandbaby and six rescue dogs.

tallahassee woman | 10 | june • july 2024

CULTURE & CUISINE

Sizzle in Style

Bold Maxi Dresses Taking Summer

by Storm!

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his summer, the scorching trend of flaunting bold and vibrant maxi dresses is setting the fashion scene ablaze!

Picture yourself strutting down 30A in a kaleidoscope of hues, turning heads with every step in a dazzling display of color and style. These show-stopping dresses are like a burst of sunshine on a cloudy day, radiating energy and confidence wherever you go. Embrace the sizzling heat of summer with these eye-catching ensembles that are sure to make you the envy of every fashionista. So, toss aside the dull and mundane and embrace the bold and beautiful with these captivating maxi dresses that are sure to make a statement wherever you go! Pair with your favorite sandals, sunglasses and a signature straw hat and make a statement! tallahassee woman | 12 | june • july 2024

Scallop & Shrimp Salad Perfect for lunch or dinner

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

tallahassee woman | 14 | june • july 2024

By Rebecca Weaver

S U M M E R R E A D I N G L I S T B Y S A L LY B R A D S H AW

A

h, summer reading….even for booksellers who read continuously throughout the year, there’s something special about a beach read, a mountain read, an on-your-front-porch read!

Summer means no pressure – read what you want, when you want.

walk away if a book doesn't grab my attention within the first 50 pages. This will be a significant challenge, but I'm determined to succeed. If not, they'll soon hold an intervention for me. And I can always just put any unfinished books in a pile to get back to....one day!

I’ve decided to spend this summer breaking my exhausting habit of having to finish every book I start. Our Midtown Reader team has been working to cure my reading, encouraging me to

Here are a few suggestions to take on va-cay, or with which you can stay-cay and escape the humidity! These terrific reads and many more are available at midtownreader.com!

T-Shirt Swim Club: Stories from Being Fat in a World of Thin People

By Ian and Alisa Karmel

Emmy-award winning comedian Karmel wrote for the Late Late Show with James Corden. His sister is a Phd in psychology. For their entire lives they’ve struggled with their weight. Now they’re addressing it publicly in this poignant and funny read which Kirkus Reviews calls “comic and philosophical…. something to say to everyone.” The T-Shirt Swim Club is a club is a place for anyone who struggles in their own skin.

You Like It Darker

By Stephen King

"You like it darker? Fine, so do I," writes Stephen King in the afterword to his latest collection of 12 short stories. With this release, King continues to focus on themes for which he practically has a patent - darkness, mortality, fate, horror. The Seattle Times calls this latest writing “some of the best work of his long career.”

Sandwich

By Catherine Newman An annual family summer escape to Cape Cod and a menopausal mom between grown kids and senior parents - what can go wrong? But everything is changing - including her own family’s past and future. And Rocky can no longer hide her secrets.

Ann Patchett gives Newman high praise “Sandwich is joy in book form. I laughed continuously, except for the parts that made me cry.”

A Death in Cornwall

By Daniel Silva

Midtown Reader’s favorite thriller author Daniel Silva is back with his latest Gabriel Allon, and it doesn’t disappoint. The legendary spy and art restorer is in London for the return of a stolen van Gogh when he’s asked by the Cornwall police to solve the murder of an art history professor from Oxford. Is she the victim of a serial killer? Or something even more disturbing. Classic dge-of-your seat suspense from Silva which races from Cornwall to Corsica to 10 Downing Street.

Dream State

By Diane Roberts Tallahassee treasure and fifth generation Floridians, Diane is an FSU creative writing prof by day, acclaimed journalist and NPR commentator on the side. The re-release of this terrific title by U Press of FL means readers are in for “a fun ride…and proof positive that despite its pretenses, Florida does have a history--and a wild one.”

One of Our Kind

By Nicola Yoon

National Book Award finalist and the first black woman to hit #1 on the NYTimes bestseller list for young adults, Yoon’s latest is a starred selection by Publisher’s Weekly, calling it simply “masterful”. A tense story of generational trauma and its physical impact on a family, this story of Jasmyn and King Williams and their move to California to reside in an all-Black gated community. Their hopes of a community focused on social and racial justice are tested and complicated by the assumptions we make about others and ourselves. Jodi Picoult says it’s “brilliant…your book club will be discussing this one for DAYS.”

tallahassee woman | 16 | june • july 2024

T A L L A H A S S E E

W O M A N

M A G A Z I N E

&

F O U N D A T I O N

P R E S E N T

TALLAHASSEE FASHION WEEK 2024 AUGUST 16 & 17, 2024 MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW

tallahassee woman | 17 | june • july 2024

LIVING LOCAL

AROUND SISTER SPEAK REFLECTION

By Kelsie Pace, Community Outreach Manager, Diana Health

Blaire Bennett, Membership Services, Greater TLH Chamber of Commerce

W

e had the absolute pleasure of attending the Tallahassee Woman Magazine event “Wine & Wisdom Sister Speak” at Vino Beano recently; a bold and empowering networking event of over 100 Tallahassee women. Dr. Michelle Mitcham, TWM Publisher & venue host Dr. Patty Ghazvini, Owner of Vino Beano, welcomed us all with their inspiring personal testimonies of womanhood, entrepreneurship, and spirit!

One by one, women of all ages, industries, and backgrounds came up to the mic to drop their “nuggets'' of wisdom and advice to the eager audience. Some ladies kept their advice simple, with statements like “put a little sugar in it” meaning to add sweetness and kindness to everything you do, and the night was as sweet as can be.

As young women who are getting started in their careers, it can be intimidating to be in a room of such successful and established women, but they could not have made us feel more included and that as young women our voices and experiences matter just as much. There were laughs, there were tears, and there was an electric energy in the air. This evening was a prime example of women empowering women to be beacons of light in our neighborhoods through business, service, and community. When the night came to an end and the doors closed behind us, as the gals continued gallivanting on the patio, we could not help but feel a sense of awe and gratitude for the time to foster femininity through friendship and fellowship. Cheers to lots of wine and wisdom to be shared and to the prosperity of Tallahassee’s women and culture.

“Felt like a church service for just the ladies, so inspiring!”

“I did not expect to make so many friends tonight, but here we are!”

“Feeling wiser with every sip.” tallahassee woman | 18 | june • july 2024

TOWN

W.E. ELEVATE Women Empowered Elevate

Empowering the Capital City: Ruby Barr and Lauren Stafford Leading Legal Aid for Promise Zone and Low-Income Residents By: TWM Staff

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egal Aid Foundation's women leaders Ruby Barr and_Lauren Stafford provide the legal assistance to Promise Zone and low-income residents of the Capital City. These are women that elevate others and the community by their service.

Attorney Ruby Barr provides services via Legal Aid Foundation (LAF) to assist Leon County residents dealing with child support and divorce, landlord/tenant issues or a variety of other civil law cases. This enables individuals and families to get the support they desperately need.

Attorney Barr is the main provider for our clients and often takes on cases needing more than the 20-minute consultation. She is the executive director for Southside Community Law Center (SCLC), a non-profit low-bono office in Tallahassee. Attorney Barr is a strong, compassionate woman and well admired by many other Tallahassee lawyers, the LAF Team, our clients, and her family and friends.

Lauren Stafford, Legal Aid Foundation’s (LAF) executive director, offers a wealth of support for her staff, creating an effective office successfully supplying legal services to Leon County’s low-income residents.

Since August of 2022, Stafford helped revitalize the office after COVID interrupted its services and now she and her crew are taking LAF to greater heights. Stafford’s goal was to increase the number of client’s served by establishing an incredible staff, reorganizing processes, and reintroducing the organization to the community. Despite challenges, she succeeded and LAF is running successfully. Through her leadership, LAF’s team has managed a 44% increase in cases from 2022-2023.

Through evening mobile law clinics, initiated in March, enables more lawyers to volunteer services and more clients to have a non-work hour option. Stafford is looking forward to further streamlining services and incorporating new practices to maintain the highest quality.

tallahassee woman | 20 | june • july 2024

Attorney Ruby Barr

Lauren Stafford

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COVER

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MOM OF 8.

DEVOTED WIFE. COMMUNIT Y ADVOCATE. HAVEN FOR THE VULNERABLE. CHANGEMAKER. AUTHOR. BY: SHANNON C. SMITH | PHOTOGRAPHY: KIRA DERRYBERRY

T

alethia O. Edwards is known for all of these well-earned titles, here in Tallahassee and increasingly far beyond the capital city she has called home since 2001. Not to mention, she is a recent graduate (May 2024) of FSU’s Master of Science in Planning (MSP)!

throws down. She is a force because of the setbacks, insecurities and challenges she lives with quietly. Like so many of us, she has worries, feelings of inadequacy. What sets her apart, though, is her unwillingness to let any of them win. I hope her bravery inspires you.

But if there is one thing I learned as a newspaper reporter for 15-plus years, it is this: When you take time to peel back the layers of a person, there is always so much more. When you ask questions and let them talk and just be who they are without judgement, you get to the core of their heart. You see and understand why they do what they do.

On the Friday after Mother’s Day in 2019, Talethia O. Edwards opened the door of her home on Saxon Street to a woman holding a newborn baby boy. He was just days old. Edwards had seen this woman wandering the neighborhood before.

But this time, the woman was not looking for drugs. She knew she was not equipped to take care of this baby with the big brown eyes. So she wanted Edwards to take him. All the mother had to offer for his care was an old car seat, three diapers and a single small bottle of formula.

I have known Talethia since our time together in the 2021 Catalyst Class for the Knight Creative Communities Institute. On the surface, it looked like we have very little in common. But the more I got to know her, the more our kinship grew – connected most by our experiences as foster mothers who loved children as our own, only to be forced to say the most painful goodbyes.

The firstborn daughters to single teenage mothers, we were both ambitious even as adolescents, and today have a hard time slowing down or saying no to the passions and causes we care about. In her, I found a fellow “megaphone” – a woman who is not afraid to be the loud voice in the room saying what needs to be said, to get the job done. I admired immediately Talethia’s ability to raise so many children, and raise them well, while also doing big things for those who need it most in this community.

In writing this piece, I wanted to peel back her many beautiful layers, to get to her “why.” I learned that she is even more of a force than any of us realize – and not because of any hammer or megaphone she

Edwards used her community ties to help get the mother baby clothes, formula, diapers and encouraged her to be a mother to her baby. Two days later, the woman knocked on Edwards’ door again.

She had a note.

“I, being in sound mind, give my son to the care of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards.”

Of all the people to whom a desperate mother could have entrusted her newborn child, she chose Edwards, a stay-athome mom already raising seven of her own children inside this 1,300-square-foot home in the Bond community, one of the city’s most economically challenged neighborhoods.

This scared, lost mother could have left the baby with a friend.

She could have even brought him to a fire station under state law. Instead, she wanted her baby to be raised by this stranger she knew in reputation only as the neighborhood’s matriarch.

Edwards was, by then, well-established as the voice for the Greater Bond Community. She and her husband had bought the house on Saxon Street initially as an investment property – but as Edwards says, “God had other plans.”

They planted roots there, even though the house often felt too small. And Edwards began pushing city leader, school

tallahassee woman | 23 | june • july 2024

COVER administrators and others to acknowledge and address the many challenges she saw in this historic neighborhood.

“I believe in the power of community, and the resilience and sustainability of communities of color, and I wanted to be a part of that change, so we stayed,” she says. “My porch is where ministry happens.

People feel safe, they are people - not just their issues - when they come to that porch.”

So, on that day in May, the scared mother brought her baby boy to Edwards -- a woman who, unbeknownst to most, had vowed to her younger self that she would never raise even one child – much less eight. Now, suddenly, here was baby No. 8.

And because Edwards is who she is, because she knows her porch is a refuge, she never hesitated to say yes. His name was Romel.

“It said something about who she thought I was that she chose me,” Edwards acknowledges. “And I took that very seriously.”

A year later, Edwards got a call from the hospital that the same woman had just delivered another baby, and she wanted to sign over her parental rights to Edwards.

Once again, Edwards said yes. His name was Raymond.

‘I wanted zero children.’

Growing up, Edwards had ambitions that, in her well-journaled plans and dreams, did not include children.

The first of three girls born to a single teenage mom in Miami, Edwards recalls a childhood where the family’s lack of material things was overshadowed by an abundance of love.

“Looking back, now I know the definition of poverty, and I can say we lived in poverty.

But I didn’t know anything was lacking, right? I don't know that as an experience because my mother and grandmother did a great job of caring for us.”

As the oldest, Edwards was not treated like a child.

“I was one of the kids who was more at the adult table,” she recalls. “And that was acceptable in my family for me. I was not

really treated like a kid.”

She says she does not have many memories of things like playing jump rope or roller skating or just playing outside. In the evenings, she and her grandmother would watch the Perry Mason show and In the Heat of the Night. Clarence Thomas was all over the news at the time as the first African-American man to be nominated and then confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

This planted a seed in the young Edwards: Well, if he can become the first man, why can’t I become the first African-American woman on the Supreme Court?

When she shared her big dreams with a man visiting her elementary school for a career day event, he basically told her that would not happen. And in that moment, Edwards felt an early spark of the inner fire that would take her places.

“He told me I couldn't, and so I was like, ‘To hell with you! I'm going to be whatever I want to be,’” she says, her voice getting stronger at the memory of that day. “And of course, there was a trajectory in my head.

I would go to D.C., go to Howard Law School. I was going to do something, you know, up in Capitol Hill. I planned to be a state attorney or public defender, something that would be service-oriented. I work my way through to a judgeship and eventually get to the U.S. Supreme Court.”

She enrolled at Florida A & M University in 2001 intending to get a bachelor’s degree in English before applying to law schools.

Early marriage and family life was not part of that planned trajectory.

“Growing up for me with my mom was like pressure all the time. My younger sisters were like my children. I was never really a kid. So I wanted to be able to be free,” she says. “And I wanted zero children.”

But she met and fell in love with Harold W. Edwards II, a fellow FAMU student. They married, and her very carefully planned trajectory began to shift.

“It was baby after baby. He wanted all the kids, and I thought, ‘OK we will get to baby No. 3 and I will compromise.’ So now I had created a life that took away the freedom I had always been searching for,” she says. tallahassee woman | 24 | june • july 2024

“Listen, I did all the things I needed to do, and I felt gravely responsible that whatever products I was creating with these children, I had to do them good. Most people see me as an extraordinary mama, but I do struggle internally. I am this academic and intellectual person, but it was like all anyone wanted to ask me about was breastfeeding and how to get stains out of a carpet.”

Today, she has 8 children between the ages of 4 and 18, preschool to college. They are all different, but all accomplished in their own ways with strong academics and career aspirations ranging from musician to veterinarian.

“God gave me the desires of my heart I didn’t know I had,” she says. “And now I have 8 wonderful children who are doing amazing things. And growing up to make me proud.”

In October 2020, the state removed Romel from Edwards’ care following a long effort to have him remain with her as his legal caregiver. Edwards says she has never felt such heartbreak or loss.

“I don’t lose things,” she cries. “I have never lost one of my own kids. And he was mine, in my heart he was mine.”

‘Two reds and a pink’ To know Edwards’ place in the Bond community, it makes sense that not one but two babies were delivered to her doorstep by a mother battling addiction and other inner demons.

She has become, in many ways, Tallahassee’s version of the grandmother who helped raise her in Miami.

Edwards spent many weekends with her grandmother as a child and says there was security in knowing she could always count on her following through on a promise or commitment.

“I'll give you an example. Like she'll say, ‘Saturday we're going to buy you a new dress from KMart or The Swap shop’ or whatever, and that meant we were going to the Swap Shop and I was getting a dress,” Edwards says. “Whatever she said, she was very sure to do that, and that's something

I inherited mental illnesses but was determined not to inherit the stigma, guilt, or shame that most of the people in my community living with a mental illness have"

PHOTOGRAPHY: KIRA DERRYBERRY MUA: IMAGE BY LISA HAIR: TANYA EVANS: EIGHT FIVE ZERO SALON NAILS: IMAGE NAIL SPA & SALON DRESS: PRIVATE COLLECTION EARRINGS: OLIVIA HEYWARD

tallahassee woman | 25 | june • july 2024

COVER that stuck with me.”

Edwards also recalls her grandmother’s home being open to anyone who wanted to be there and needed help. This included uncles who battled substance abuse and came to her grandmother for a hot meal, a shower, a bed, and unconditional love.

“Today I can look back and articulate what was happening. My grandmother’s house was always open to them, and there was no judgement,” Edwards says. “I would like to attribute who I think I show up as today to my grandmother.”

Her grandmother died of lung cancer when Edwards was just 11.

But Edwards carries on her legacy by being a source of unconditional kindness and advocacy within her community today.

She is the Founder and President of the Greater Bond Neighborhood Association and Executive Director of the H.A.N.D. Up Project. Passionate about community planning and urban renewal, she has started her own community development consulting firm. She successfully lobbied the city and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in 2016 to commit $6.4 million to Bond community improvements.

But her real work happens in the moments that few get to see.

It is in the hours when she serves as a doula, ushering in new life. It is the patience she showed to Mr. Norris, the man who would sleep in Edwards’ car one week – but come back the next to mow and landscape her lawn as a mea culpa. When Mr. Norris got cancer, Edwards helped him navigate doctor’s appointments and treatments.

When he died, she grieved.

“He became my friend,” she says. “And I loved him like a son.”

Edwards speaks fondly of her friend Miss Kay, 64, who has a bachelor’s degree and was on track to be a nurse. Drug addiction pulled her off the grid, wandering the neighborhood.

“If you think you are exempt from any of these things, you are crazy,” Edwards says.

“You’ve got to deal with people in a way like, ‘That could always be me.’ It could be me, and how would I want people to treat me?”

She credits this compassion to watching how her grandmother treated others, no matter how deep or desperate their struggles. Edwards didn’t understand when she was a child the why behind her grandmother’s compassion: her own mental illness.

“When I was with my grandma, she would say, ‘Go get me two reds and a pink,” Edwards recalls. “I didn’t know what they were for. I just knew she took them every day. It was always just two reds and a pink.”

Two reds and a pink, to keep her mental illness under control.

Fast forward to 2003. Edwards was 21, and she had her first manic episode.

"Graduating with my degree in urban planning is a full circle moment that will allow me to heal the very communities I come from and serve in.

“I thought it was hallucinations from an allergy reaction or something.”

She shook it off. But five months later, as Edwards grew increasingly paranoid and manic after 10 days without sleep, Edwards’ mother intervened and told her that she needed to be examined for mental illness. Diagnosis: Paranoid schizophrenic.

Edwards had inherited a health challenge that would forever influence how she sees and navigates the world around her. When Edwards sees homeless people now, she remembers her own time at the Apalachee Center and wonders with empathy if mental illness landed them in this predicament.

Her own diagnosis was with her recently when she sat inside a Harvard University classroom – the only Leon County citizen invited along with city staff to the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University – to discuss with 19 other city leaders how to improve mental health services.

“Who I am and the core of me, is because of who I saw my grandma to be, and who she was to me. She always told me, ‘Say what you’ve got to say. It doesn’t matter if people think you talk too much. Say what you’ve

tallahassee woman | 26 | june • july 2024

got to say.’”

She says she has never publicly shared her own mental health story until now. But it is time.

“I hope it is healing for those experiencing their own. My story is powerful because I was determined to learn about mental illness and show up for myself and others in a way, by destigmatizing mental illness.

Because far too long, my community has tucked mental illness away to be unseen,” she says. “I am determined not to inherit the guilt, shame or stigma of living with a mental illness.”

‘What if I am too far behind?’

Edwards is, by any standards, on a roll today. She is saying what she needs to say, and people are paying attention.

She just published a book, Only Paper Understands, which is inspired by her personal faith and years of journaling.

Talethia was recently named a 2023

Diversity and Inclusion Fellow by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning. She is an accomplished public speaker, having traveled last year to Cape Town, South Africa to serve as a panel speaker at the Peace Lecture conference.

“I realize that I represent a group of people that may never be invited into some of these rooms,” she says. “I don’t take that lightly. Because if I ever think that I've ‘arrived’ at any moment, then I lose the ability to speak for the people who may not ever come into the room.”

“And my narrative is not woe is me, because really, I know the power of people and community and the change that can happen -- locally, statewide, nationally and globally. It starts with one person.”

Edwards’ decision to pursue her master’s degree in urban planning is rooted in her belief that the physical space a person lives in every day impacts their outlook, their personal motivations, and what kind of positive change they believe is possible. She wants long-neglected neighborhoods – not just Bond, but neighborhoods across the globe – to see a revitalization that inspires those living there to revitalize themselves.

“I believe that the people and the place must simultaneously rise,” she says.

As impressive as her growing resume is, Edwards sometimes still feels like the overwhelmed stay-at-home mom with multiple young children, watching her husband earn multiple degrees and wondering when her chance would come. In that way, she is like many mothers trying to establish an identity and a place beyond motherhood.

“I am 41 and finally building a career, but it feels sometimes like I'm behind the times. That’s how I feel. While I know if you trust God, you are perfectly aligned in where you need to be, but I struggle,” she says. “’What if I am too far behind?’ I mean, I stayed at home for 15 years raising children before I ever got a part time job. And I love my husband and I am proud of him, but it is still a struggle.”

Asked how she feels about being on the cover of a magazine, Edwards downplays the glamour in characteristic fashion.

“Listen, me being on a magazine does not downgrade something like you cooking a pot of food for the people on your street. What you are doing is just as important. We all have a place and a place to serve.”

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BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP

Girl, Let’s Talk About Scams…

Dana Brooks

Imagine you’re going about your day, checking things off your to-do list, showing gratitude to the universe, and manifesting your destiny. Then, you answer a call from a number that isn’t familiar but doesn’t look suspicious either. The caller says and knows just enough to keep you on the line. Their familiarity with you, combined with a seemingly genuine concern for your well-being, makes you feel comfortable and assured. So, you give them identifying information about yourself to help them help you.

Managing Partner/Shareholder Fasig | Brooks Law Offices dana@fasigbrooks.com

If you have questions about this or any other legal topic, Dana can be reached at Fasig Brooks Law Offices, 850-777-7777.

I’d be glad to help.

But help you with what, exactly?

Too often, it’s to help them liberate you from your hard-earned money.

For years, criminals have struck fear in their victims by posing as government authorities, threatening arrest, embarrassment, or financial ruin if the person doesn’t immediately transfer funds to resolve an urgent bill. These scams work best on the people who love and care about us. They are the ones who can be manipulated into paying money to “make this all go away.” If you ever receive a call like this, contact law enforcement right away. Legitimate debt collectors will never threaten you with arrest. If they do, call Fasig Brooks Law Offices.

Sophisticated criminals now use artificial intelligence (AI) to target victims and impersonate loved ones. Unsuspecting victims have fallen prey to urgent requests for money from “family members” that turn out to be complete fakes. These voices sound so real, we fear dismissing them. The pleas sound somewhat legitimate, often seeking money to get a loved one out of jail in a foreign country, and your son just happens to be on a mission trip in South America, or your daughter just happens to be traveling internationally for work. These tallahassee woman | 28 | june • july 2024

requests contain a sense of urgency, designed to prey on emotion and keep you on the line so you cannot verify the safety of your loved ones. Prepare yourself for this.

Discuss these very real risks with your loved ones and come up with a safe word or phrase so you can verify legitimate requests in these situations.

Beware of the information you’re sharing on social media. I recently learned of a soul-crushing scam where a couple lost their life savings while in the process of buying a new home. They had posted that they were under contract on a particular home, what realtor they were using, and what lender they had chosen – all very natural things to share about one of life’s most exciting events. Unfortunately, some scammers were watching, and towards the end of the closing process, when everyone was eager to get the deal done, they sent an email to the buyer directing them to wire purchase funds to another fake account supposedly linked to the realtor’s escrow account. Do not assume there is a means to recover that money or that law enforcement can assist you, regardless of the clear evidence available. Be discerning and don’t act out of emotion.

AI is always adapting as it learns more. It knows how suspicious we have become, and it is using that against us. Everyone has received a text alert saying that a charge was attempted on our Chase/Capital One/ Citi/Wells Fargo/other big bank account number ending in the last four digits we do not know and will not check. It looks legit, and our immediate impulse is to be thankful our card is protecting us like that.

We feel safe, so we click the link or call the number and start coughing up account numbers, PINs, passwords, addresses, and anything else the bad guys need to gain unfettered access to our funds. Remember, if you did not call them, do not give them any protected information.

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AI doesn’t just observe facts; it observes behavior and speech patterns as well. A common swindle successful with many businesses is to send a bogus email, presumably from the boss, to their subordinates, directing them to spend money or incur substantial debt. The phrasing, timing, and choice of words are so believable, workers do not suspect they’re being duped until it’s too late. Unfortunately, our banks, credit card companies, and law enforcement agencies can do less and less to protect us in these cases. So, protect yourself. Have tight systems and processes around company spending and listen to your Spidey-Senses. If it sounds sketchy, it probably is.

Just as AI uses our online behavior to tell companies what we might buy, criminals use it to con us. What we post, what sites we visit, what news we consume – all of that allows AI to profile us. It suggests whether we are gullible, fearful, discerning, or incredulous. It sees what we hold dear. It sees where we and our loved ones are traveling, what we are celebrating, and when we’re struggling.

While what we share online, text to our friends, and say around all those open microphones can make our lives easier and more interesting when we’re given curated offerings, it comes with a hefty price tag.

tallahassee woman | 29 | june • july 2024

FROM THE DESK OF

Carrie Boyd

“Negotiation” Is Not A Dirty Word

I

t is not often we see such industry-changing history being made before our eyes, yet that is the view before us now with the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) seismic settlement of a class action lawsuit on March 15th with groups of nationwide home sellers. The 418M antitrust settlement could change the home buying and selling process as we know it for residential consumers. The purpose behind the lawsuit was to bust up what some consumers feel are hardball negotiation tactics designed to artificially inflate real estate agents’ commissions—and home prices.

The industry norm for agent commissions has long been 5-6% of the final selling price with the seller paying both her agent and the buyer’s agent as part of the transaction.

Consumers abroad pay far less in commissions with 1% in the UK and 2% in Germany as the norms, for example. Along with closing costs and other fees, the percentage of additional expenses (not including the down payment) can easily reach 10% of the final selling price for each transaction, which makes homeownership a pipe dream for many Americans when factoring in the high cost of both borrowing money and market entry due to limited supply.

Our investment companies have bought, sold, designed, built, and managed almost

2B of residential and commercial real estate over the years. As the lead negotiator and legal representative, I feel qualified to speak on the issue underlying this NAR settlement: the freedom to negotiate. The reality is consumers have always been free to negotiate agent commissions. But, many of them were unaware of that fact, and the lawsuit filings detail some buyer and seller experiences where agents reportedly used tactics such as stonewalling or steering to avoid showing or selling properties that did not offer the typical commission rates.

The new rules take effect on July 1st, and the practical impacts are still unknown. Will sellers reduce their asking prices now that they don’t have to pay the commission for the buyer’s agent? If buyers cannot afford or refuse to pay out of pocket for an agent, will they be at a disadvantage during negotiations? Will housing prices dip and make ownership more affordable? I have my doubts about any decline in home prices, yet anyone buying or selling residential property after July 1st should remember the cardinal rule of any negotiation: the importance of preparation.

Information is no longer asymmetrical.

An internet search can quickly empower consumers with the data for recent, comparable home sales in their market and neigh-

borhoods of interest. The average price per square foot is the foundation for any home sale negotiation, yet consumers may have other needs to consider. When preparing to negotiate, knowledge is power—both marketplace and one’s own interests. If the timeline for closing or replacement of an old roof are important to a buyer, then I suggest those be anchors for the negotiation. As consumers, you must know and preserve your goals, do your market research, and learn the other side’s goals, too, beyond merely buying or selling a property. All these steps are important for you to identify your Best Alternative to Negotiated Agreement (BATNA) and what your options are if the negotiations fall through, such as walking away from the deal, staying put, making an offer on another property, etc. The most productive and modern negotiations strategy is to create win/win outcomes by considering the other party’s needs and wants in addition to your own. Once you are empowered with that information and your BATNA, you can welcome thoughtful negotiations that have the greatest likelihood of success.

kcarrie@networkreiwomen.com tallahassee woman | 30 | june • july 2024

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WWMB WOMEN ON FIRE AWARDS FINALIST

2024

Leadership and courage define her and set her and her business apart from others. She may have endured hardship and setbacks, but through self-discipline and inner strength, she fought her way towards business success. This woman may be a current business owner, or past business owner, or may also be someone who is empowering a workplace with her entrepreneurial spirit.

Entrepreneur Award

tallahassee woman | 32 | june • july 2024

Robin Vernon

Kelly Uanino

W I N NER

Britney Desir Meet our winner Britney Desir for the WWMB Women on Fire awards, a visionary leader blazing trails and igniting change in her community.

Snippet from Nomination: “Britney Desir is a Veteran Speech-Language Pathologist and a Private Practice

Owner

of

Therapeutic

Endeavors for 8.5 years. Britney has an incredible team of clinicians within her Tallahassee practice that connect with various private and public entities as well as individual patients to service our community.

Britney has also been a real estate investor for 8.5 years. Most recently Britney expanded her Real Estate knowledge by becoming a Realtor and endeavors to help others achieve their dreams through real estate investing.

special section | April/May 2024 | WWMB Journal | 33

WWMB WOMEN ON FIRE AWARDS FINALISTS

2024

This up and comer of the next generation has achieved much at a young age, but is ageless when it comes to her professionalism, vision, and her energy, propelling herself to businesswoman stardom, and is inspiring and empowering everyone of all ages along the way. This is a woman you will want to watch in the years to come.

Rock Star Award

tallahassee woman | 34 | june • july 2024

Vanity Constance

Brooke Veleber

W I N NER

Krista Cayer Meet our winner Krista Cayer for the WWMB Women on Fire awards, a visionary leader blazing trails and igniting change in her community.

Snippet

from

Nomination:

“My

mom, Krista Cayer, is a true inspiration. As the founder of Cayer Behavioral Group, she has shown incredible dedication and strength.

Starting the business in 2005, the same year my sister was born, she faced numerous challenges but never gave up. Despite the demands of running a business, she always made time for our family, showing us what it means to be a strong woman in a male-dominated world.

Today, CBG has 126 employees, mostly young women, creating an empowering environment. My mom’s determination to succeed and her commitment to equality and love make her my ultimate role model. She has taught me and my sister to be confident, assertive, and unafraid to pursue our dreams.

Thank you, Mom, for being such an incredible woman and leader.”

special section | April/May 2024 | WWMB Journal | 35

WWMB WOMEN ON FIRE AWARDS FINALISTS

2024

Combining business success with service to her community, this woman fosters growth in her workplace and in the areas outside of it. She may be a volunteer or board member for a local school, (a) non-profit organization(s) or other community outreach programs. Her employment may also be at a non-profit or other community business that serves others.

Service Award

tallahassee woman | 36 | june • july 2024

Tammy Pulsifer

LaCora Johnson

WIN NER

JoAnne Rice Meet our winner JoAnne Rice for the WWMB Women on Fire awards, a visionary leader blazing trails and igniting change in her community.

Snippet from Nomination: “Director Rice has dedicated over 30 years to public service, starting as a Firefighter/EMT with Gainesville Fire Rescue in 1990 and rising to become the department’s first female Deputy Fire Chief.

She has been instrumental in developing and implementing key programs such as a tactical medical support team and community paramedicine program. Director Rice has also played a vital role in health and safety initiatives, serving as a liaison to the Health Department during the COVID pandemic, and contributing to various programs at local, regional, and statewide levels.

With a Master of Public Administration and degrees in Fire Science and EMS, Director Rice is a designated Chief Fire Officer and currently serves on the International Association of Fire Chiefs Human Relations Committee and the National Fire Protection Association Emergency Responder Advisory Committee. She is actively involved in several professional associations, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Firefighters, and Florida Fire Chiefs Association, among others. Director Rice is committed to improving the health and safety of all firefighters and EMS personnel, advocating for diversity and inclusion, and promoting professional development within the profession.”

WWMB WOMEN ON FIRE AWARDS FINALISTS

2024

This businesswoman is significantly impacting the next generation. She could be in the field of education, a mentor, or has a leadership role in an organization that is at the forefront of leadership modeling and character building for youth, young adults, or young professionals.

Torchbearer Award

tallahassee woman | 38 | june • july 2024

Audrey Kidwell

Kimasia Ayers

WIN NER

Adela Ghadimi Meet our winner Adela Ghadimi for the WWMB Women on Fire awards, a visionary leader blazing trails and igniting change in her community.

Snippet from Nomination: “Adela Ghadimi is a dedicated leader committed to driving positive change. Her work centers on equity and inclusion, evident in her diversity trainings for nonprofits and union leaders, consulting through her LLC, and doctoral research.

Currently, Adela serves as the Organizing Specialist and Service Unit Director for United Faculty of Florida, overseeing organizing strategies for 25,000 faculty and 8,000 graduate assistants across 34 chapters. In 2022, she orchestrated the first statewide voter registration and turnout campaign for UFF, increasing voter turnout from 61% to 87.1% in just 6 months. Adela also chairs the Tallahassee/Leon County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, leading the commission into its ‘CSWG 2.0’ plan and enhancing data-driven policy recommendations.

Adela’s commitment to community engagement extends to her role on the National Board of Directors of New Leaders Council, a nonprofit focused on training leaders across the country. She guides programming for over 11,000 changemakers and remains a LEAD Trainer, helping train new fellows each year.”

WWMB WOMEN ON FIRE AWARDS FINALISTS

2024

Inspiration combined with an indomitable spirit means a force to be reckoned with. This woman found a way to use her creativity and passion and make it into a business, or works at a business where she motivates others and can help turn good ideas into successful realities. She may also have the congenial ability to bridge divides and bring people together for a common goal.

Innovator Award

tallahassee woman | 40 | june • july 2024

Teylor Parks

Chiedza Kambasha

WIN NER

Danielle Andrews Meet our winner Danielle Andrews for the WWMB Women on Fire awards, a visionary leader blazing trails and igniting change in her community.

Snippet from Nomination: “I am nominating Danielle because innovation really should be her first name. She is so creative and she inspires me daily. Danielle is literally a machine. Her ability to achieve at a high level and constantly make it look easy is admirable. Because the craziest thing of all is Danielle is just 29 years old and will be 30 on April 2. She’s accomplished more in just under 3 decades than some people do in a lifetime.

She is a wife and mom to a 2 year old son. She owns a real estate brokerage with over 25 agents and runs a property management arm of her business.

She opened up her brokerage at 28 years old and has grown it each day.

She’s the youngest brokerage owner of her franchise in Florida and the first Black Realty ONE Group franchise owner in Florida and the first Black woman Realty ONE Group franchise owner in Florida.

WWMB WOMEN ON FIRE AWARDS FINALISTS

2024

This recognition honors accomplished stay-at-home CEO moms who skillfully balance thriving businesses with household management. These exceptional women, CEOs of both family and business, demonstrate a unique blend of entrepreneurial prowess and maternal dedication, with school-age children from K-12. Eligibility requires at least three years of successful business ownership and a strong community connection through giving back or volunteering.

Mompreneur Award

tallahassee woman | 42 | june • july 2024

Nidia Alvarez-Nguyen

Tiffany Lewis

WIN NER

Holly McPhail Meet our winner Holly McPhail for the WWMB Women on Fire awards, a visionary leader blazing trails and igniting change in her community.

Snippet from Nomination: “Holly has been a dedicated volunteer with the FSUS Boys Soccer program for seven seasons while raising her two sons, Jake (12th grade) and Joshua (9th grade). She plays multiple roles within the soccer program, fostering relationships with players across all three teams and supporting parents. Additionally, Holly volunteers with her son’s club soccer team and the community semi-professional team, Tallahassee Battle Lions.

In addition to her volunteer work, Holly launched her own consulting business in 2019, using her expertise in communications and project management to support small businesses and organizations. She is known for her ability to connect people and break down silos, always striving to make a positive impact. As a mother, Holly is actively involved in her sons’ lives, volunteering at their activities and providing them with the support and encouragement they need to grow into responsible young men. Her commitment to empowering others and improving the community has made her a valuable asset to Tallahassee.”

WWMB WOMEN ON FIRE AWARDS FINALISTS

2024

This businesswoman is significantly impacting the next generation. She could be in the field of education, a mentor, or has a leadership role in an organization that is at the forefront of leadership modeling and character building for youth, young adults, or young professionals.

Legacy Award

tallahassee woman | 44 | june • july 2024

Patti E. Ketcham

Mimi Shaw

WIN NER

Kelly Otte Meet our winner Kelly Otte for the WWMB Women on Fire awards, a visionary leader blazing trails and igniting change in her community.

Snippet from Nomination: “Kelly Otte is a beacon of integrity, with a 35-year career dedicated to improving the lives of women and children. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Oasis Center for Women and Girls, having previously led Pace Center for Girls/Leon and Refuge House. Kelly’s impact extends beyond Tallahassee, with experience in various domestic violence and women’s centers across the country.

She is also a respected figure in the nonprofit sector, co-writing a column for The Tallahassee Democrat and serving as the first Executive Director of United Partners for Human Services. Kelly’s advocacy includes a run for Leon County Commission in 2020. Her achievements include the opening of a Refuge House Thrift Store and the funding of a new shelter and childcare facility. Kelly has received numerous accolades, including being named a Tallahassee Women Magazine Empower Awards Finalist and a recipient of the Oasis Center for Women and Girls Trailblazer Award in 2015.”

THE SPONSORS Thank you to the generous contributions of the Tallahassee business community sponsors for partnering with us for this event. We appreciate their support of the 2024 Women Who Mean Business Awards.

Blue Flame

WWMB EVALUATION TEAM Our heartfelt thanks to this year’s WWMB Awards Evaluation Team, a diverse group of business professionals whose job it was to review nominations based on categories. They carefully ranked each nominee to derive the final scores that, until today, have been kept confidential. Their work produced an incredible group of winners that deserve continued recognition and celebration.

Calbrail L. Banner

Cheryl Collier - Brown

Monesia Brown

Paula DeBoles-Johnson

tallahassee woman | 46 | june • july 2024

Dr. Audra Pittman

Red Flame

Orange Flame

Special Thanks

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY BY MANDIE BARBER STUDIOS tallahassee woman | 47 | june • july 2024

MIND, BODY & SPIRIT

JANE MARKS WRITER Jane Marks is a licensed psychotherapist "life coach" with 50+ years of experience specializing in child and adolescent behavior.

She is a motivational speaker/lecturer focusing on mental health and adolescents.

SILENCING THE INNER CRITIC:

Transforming Self-Talk for Better Mental Health

D

o you ever find yourself saying, “I can’t do anything right today” or “I’m not good enough?” If so, you’re not alone. Too often, we have an overly active internal critic that is quick to point out our shortcomings, mistakes, and faults.

These thoughts can come from external triggers, societal pressures, generational dynamics, or just daily encounters that hit us the wrong way. When we add our social media feeds and the constant comparison to others’ successes, it’s no wonder we are at risk for magnifying, catastrophizing, and blaming ourselves for situations that are certainly not in our control.

Over time, these feelings can impact your self-confidence, selfesteem, and most importantly, your self-worth. Let’s take some steps to turn our inner critic into our biggest cheerleader.

1

Get into the habit of listening to and acknowledging your inner voice. It is important that you take the time to pause and pay attention to those thoughts and the talk behind them. Slowing down and pausing can reframe that negative inner dialogue.

2

Be mindful of how you speak to yourself and what you say.

Don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to a friend or family member. Are your words gentle, kind, and encouraging?

Be deliberate and reassuring. By training your brain to pay attention to small positive expressions, you will also improve your outlook.

And don’t forget to treat yourself with kindness and compassion.

Challenge negative thoughts. Would I use this kind of language with my boss or my child? Probably not, because they would laugh at me.

3

4

Catch those sneaky negative thoughts early on—don’t let them linger. If it’s a critical statement, can you find evidence of that criticism? Break it down. If it’s exaggerated, check to see if you’re talking in absolute or specifics.

5

Flip the script and turn those negative thoughts into positive and often hilarious affirmations. Give those thoughts a funny voice or even a silly accent. Imagine them as annoying insects trying to bring you down.

6

Practice, practice, practice! Repetition is the key to change. It is the key to swapping out negative scripts in favor of a fresh, fun, and positive way of talking to yourself.

Remember, positive self-talk is key to having a solid self-care tool kit. Embrace your quirks, strengths, and all those qualities that make you uniquely you. Changing self-talk does not have to be all serious business. Add a dash of mindfulness, infuse it with humor, add a little silliness and make this journey fun.

tallahassee woman | 48 | june • july 2024

tallahassee woman | 49 | june • july 2024

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS Listen Up: Mastering the Art of Active Listening for Better Well-Being

By Jane Marks

W

ith 55 years as a family therapist under my belt, I can safely say that my listening skills are wellseasoned. But active listening is a skill that we can all develop—at any age. And, most important, it’s a skill that can actually improve our own well-being.

By practicing active listening, you are fostering compassion, experiencing stress reduction, and building connections that may boost your happiness and improve your emotional wellbeing. You are not just hearing words; you are creating mutual understanding, trust, and empathy.

HERE ARE SOME OF MY BEST, “TRIED AND TRUE” TIPS FOR ACTIVE LISTENING: 1. Be present and attentive. Put your phone away, close your laptop, turn the radio and TV off. A genuine gesture to ignore distractions shows a great deal of respect for the speaker and creates a safe space for open and honest communication. Be fully present and clear-headed. When someone in your life really needs to be heard, this allows you to be actively engaged.

2. Listen with your whole body. Maintain eye contact. The simple statement, “Go on,” sends a message that you care.

Your curiosity and honest inquiry send a clear message of no judgment and real, genuine concern.

3. Pay attention to what is not being said. The nonverbal cues—whether it’s sad eyes, slumped shoulders, or compromised movement—can provide you with a wealth of information about a person’s emotions, often signaling distress or even joy.

4. Ask open-ended questions, like: “Can you tell me more about this?” You will not only get the facts but the feelings behind them. Also, take the time to ask probing questions. Your conversations will be rich and, most importantly, meaningful.

5. Do not offer solutions unless asked. Try not to jump to conclusions or assume you know what is going to be said next.

And more importantly, don’t start planning what you are going to say before the other person is finished. Pause and allow them time to process and reflect.

6. Show that you are listening. Smile and use your genuine facial expressions. Provide feedback by asking questions for clarification. Reflect on what was said and summarize the speaker’s thoughts. Positive feedback almost always invites clarity, compassion, and connection.

This week, try to incorporate these tips into your everyday interactions with others. You will find that true understanding begins with the power of active listening. So, listen up! tallahassee woman | 50 | june • july 2024

W.E. INSPIRE

By Briana Michelle

Triumphant Women Manifest

I am a force unbridled, empowered and untamed, Limitless in potential, my dreams unchained.

I conquer lofty challenges with unwavering might, Embracing my inner power, my future shining bright - ever so bright.

With determination and my Why as my guiding light, Resilient and strong, I conquer any fight.

Empowered to soar, to reach new ever new heights, I seize the day with all my God given might.

Together let's journey, towards greatness we'll climb, Empowered and LIMITLESS, It’s our time to SHINE!

tallahassee woman | 51 | june • july 2024

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