Publisher Letter - Dr. Michelle Mitcham

Our Diversity is Our Unity

Happy Autumn!

Ilove the changing of the seasons and especially the colors of fall. The trees and leaves are magnificent shades of orange, yellow, brown, and red, sort of like diverse people of all different hues and parts of the world. Diversity is our unity, and the oneness of our unity takes us to a higher level of understanding for each other and the world. In the name of unity, we seek to understand and be understood, appreciating diverse perspectives and people. The late Bob Marley sang about one love, and the Jamaican motto is, “Out of many, one people.” Celebrating diversity and multiracial roots were a part of my DNA growing up in an East Indian/Jamaican and African American family home. I saw first-hand the diversity of my family. Relatives of all different cultures and skin tones (brown, white, tan, black) from Canada, England, Jamaica, and other parts of the U.S. would visit and break bread as family. I heard various accents and dialects in my home and knew that all these diverse people were my family.

Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization. ~Mahatma Gandhi

TWM celebrates diversity all year long, in each issue, from the photos that are selected to the topics that are featured. At the end of the day, it comes down to our

common core values and being humanistic. We are all a part of the human race, and it takes nothing away from anyone to celebrate everyone. This month, we continue our celebration of Hispanic Heritage. In Florida, Hispanic and Latino residents account for nearly 30% of the population, with nearly 7% in Tallahassee. On the cover, meet the confident and compassionate Marcia Warfel of Cuban heritage and culture. TWM is honored to have the esteemed guest editor Elizabeth Ricci, also of Hispanic heritage, interview Marcia. You will appreciate this heartfelt, authentic interview of the challenges and opportunities presented to Marcia over the years. Don’t miss our Women Who Mean Business feature on the dynamic and determined Analorena Melendez, interviewed by Cristina Carter. Both are brilliant Hispanic entrepreneurs that mean business. Tallahassee is a wonderful community that celebrates women and

women-owned businesses. TWM is honored to highlight Carrie Boyd in her new column, Stacked, in which she empowers women to elevate their foundation in real estate. In W.E. Elevate (Women Empowered Elevate), learn more about the impressive Sarah Doolin Roy and how she empowers our youth at the Young Actors Theater (YAT). It is an honor to serve the Tallahassee community and celebrate the wonderful women that live, work, advocate, and call Tallahassee home.

One Love,

Dr. Michelle Mitcham