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
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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
Daily until 5PM Join us for a refreshing study session! Enjoy a buy-one-getone special on coldbrew coffees with a student ID.
VinoBeano, Tallahassee's charming spot for exquisite in-house cuisine, wine, and cocktails. Perfect for unforgettable birthdays, business gatherings, or wedding events!
Wine Bingo
7pm-9pm Complimentary glass of wine with any food purchase Must purchase any item to play*
Ladies Night
5pm-7pm Enjoy half off specialty martinis and join us for Ladies Night every weeknight.
www.vinobeano.com @vinobeanotally
EVERY DAY
WED
EVERY WEEK NIGHT
1309 THOMASVILLE RD, SUITE 101, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32303 (850) 329-2562
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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
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