Tallahassee Woman Magazine Fall Issue 2025

FALL ISSUE 2025

Dr.

Michelle

BEYOND

HORMONES DR. ANDREA FRIALL

MITCHAM

#GRWM

Artificial Intelligence: Innovating Your Business

SMALL BUSINESS EXECUTIVE PROGRAM

HEART OF HAVANA FAMU PRESIDENT: MARVA JOHNSON

VOICE THE POWER OF

DR. MICHELLE MITCHAM’S MISSION TO UPLIFT, EMPOWER, AND TRANSFORM

Making Strides of the Big Bend October 19 | 2:00 P.M. Cascades Park

We invite you to join forces with the American Cancer Society – the nation’s nonprofit leader in the breast cancer fight. Join the Making Strides movement to help end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone.

For investment opportunities please contact: Melissa Schaldenbrand Melissa.Schaldenbrand@cancer.org

Sign up or donate today

MakingStridesWalk.org/LeonFL ©2023, American Cancer Society, Inc.

CONTENTS

8. LETTER FROM PUBLISHER 10. LETTER FROM GUEST EDITOR 12. BEYOND HARMONES

CULTURE & CUISINE

14. WATERMELON FETA MINT SALAD 16. #GRWM 18. MIDTOWN READS 20. TREASURES IN CLAY JARS

LIVING LOCAL

22. AROUND TOWN: CELEBRATING 19 YEARS OF TWM 28.DISCOVER THE HEART OF HAVANA 30. THE PILLARS AMONG US BY KELLY OTTE

TRAVEL

32. GIRLS' GETAWAY TO CHARLOTTE, NC

ON THE COVER

34. DR. MICHELLE MITCHAM THE POWER OF VOICE: DR. MICHELLE MITCHAM’S MISSION TO UPLIFT, EMPOWER, AND TRANSFORM

14

41. VALENCIA SCOTT: LEADING WITH PASSION, PURPOSE, AND PEOPLE 42. STRONG NETWORKS, ARE KEY TO ADVANCEMENT 44. SHE’S GOT AN ASSISTANT NAMED AI WHY TALLAHASSEE WOMEN ARE POWERING UP WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN 2025

MIND, BODY & SPIRIT

46. REWRITE THE RULES A FRESH MINDSET FOR HEALTH AND LIFE 48. LOVE IN FULL BLOOM 50. THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP 51. LEAD WITH PURPOSE A SPRINGBOARD FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN TALLAHASSEE

46 40

34

BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP

22

38. GIRL, DO IT IN THE DIP… WITH DANA BROOKS 39. REDEFINING LEADERSHIP 40. THE IMPACT FACTOR WITH PRESIDENT MARVA JOHNSON, J.D., MBA

34. ABOUT THE COVER: | PHOTOGRAPHY: KIRA DERRYBERRY | MAKEUP: IMAGE BY LISA DAVIS | HAIR: EIGHT FIVE ZERO SALON | NAILS: IMAGE NAIL SPA & SALON | WARDROBE: DILLARD'S

tallahassee woman | 4 | fall issue 2025

Kelly

Graham

BACK TO HIGH SCHOOL WEIGHT TMH HELPS KELLY REACH HER GOALS

I

n 2009, Kelly Graham wanted to have a third child, but at 321 pounds, she had difficulty conceiving. Kelly turned to a popular weight loss procedure – the gastric band or ‘lap band’.

Like many others who received a gastric band, Kelly soon started experiencing issues with acid reflux, difficulties keeping food down and pain after eating.

What was even worse was that the band didn’t really work for Kelly. In 2023, at 289 pounds, Kelly decided to have the band removed and chose the Bariatric Program at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) to help her.

For her pre-surgery clearance, Kelly met with dietitians, a mental health counselor and Physician Assistant Greg Laffitte – all members of the bariatric team at TMH who help ensure each patient's long-lasting success after surgery.

After completing her pre-surgery requirements, Kelly met with Joey Jarrard, MD, FACS, FASMBS, the Director of the Bariatric Program and fellowship-trained surgeon at TMH Physician Partners – General Surgery.

After discussing her goals with Dr. Jarrard, he recommended she receive Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery so she could reach her weight loss goals and help her with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

Kelly’s surgery was a success! As part of TMH’s program, patients continue to see the bariatric team throughout their weight loss journey.

“I didn’t have a big weight loss goal in mind, but after talking to Mr. Greg, I thought – you know what? I’d like to be the weight I was when I graduated from high school, which was 165 pounds,” Kelly said.

“I applaud Kelly,” said Dr. Jarrard. “From day one, she was very motivated to feel better and improve her health, and she did just that! She’s happy.”

Kelly has lost 112 pounds since her surgery and is only 12 pounds away from her goal weight!

Begin your weight loss journey by visiting TMH.ORG/Bariatric.

tallahassee woman | 5 | fall issue 2025

WOM A N

MAGAZINE

“LOCALLY OWNED MAGAZINE”

BRIANA SMITH Creative Consultant

Publisher | Editor-in-Chief

OLIVIA HEYWARD

TALLAHASSEE WOMAN MAGAZINE is a publication of Mitcham Media Group LLC Post Office Box 16616 Tallahassee, FL 32317-3401 Phone (850) 296-2232 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) 296-2232, 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 © 2025 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

KIRA DERRYBERRY PHOTOGRAPHER

ANDY JANECEK WRITER

JANE MARKS WRITER

KELLY OTTE WRITER

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.

Creative Director

T A LWO M A N .C O M

Assistant Editor

Director of Leadership Initiatives

CONTRIBUTORS

Dr. Michelle Mitcham

LACI SWANN

PAULA DEBOLES-JOHNSON

Jane Marks is a licensed psychotherapist "life coach" with more than 50 years of experience specializing in child and adolescent behavior. She is a motivational speaker/lecturer focusing on mental health and adolescents.

Andy Janecek is Director of Public Relations for the Leon County Property Appraiser’s Office, overseeing outreach, marketing, social media, and public engagement. A Florida State University graduate with 20+ years in public management and community engagement, he joined the office in 2021. He serves on several nonprofit boards, is a Leadership Tallahassee Class 40 alum, and a Certified Florida Evaluator.

Kelly has spent 35 years advocating for women and children, including 25 in Leon County. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Oasis and previously led Pace Center for Girls/Leon and Refuge House.

Her work spans domestic violence centers and women’s programs in Nevada, Virginia, and Florida.

Advertise with us!

TWM IS LOCALLY OWNED & EMPOWERING WOMEN FOR OVER 19+ YEARS! Visit TALWOMAN.COM to download our Media Kit or Call (850) 296-2232 to advertise with us.

CERTIFIED MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

tallahassee woman | 6 | fall issue 2025

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