FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024
ana DBROOKS A TRAILBLAZING WOMAN REDEFINING SUCCESS AND EMPOWERING OTHERS
RAISING BOYS TO RESPECT GIRLS
Make Your Mark Red Snapper & Polenta
The "Rizz" Factor Madame Xhales in Egypt Mindset and Real Estate
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SAHG
WHAT’S THE REAL DEAL WITH
Stay At Home Girlfriends
Fit, Strong & Healthy. For myself, for my kids, for my family. Brittany lost over 200 pounds with Tallahassee Memorial’s Obesity Medicine and Bariatric Surgery programs. If you’re ready to start your weight loss journey, visit TMH.ORG/WeightLoss.
Private wealth solutions for what’s next. And for what happens after that. When you’re ready to focus on the future, Synovus is the partner to help you get more out of life. Partner with a team of experienced wealth advisors to help you build a brighter future for decades and generations to come.
Start your journey at synovus.com/wealth. Investment products and services provided by Synovus are offered through Synovus Securities, Inc. (“SSI”), Synovus Trust Company, N.A. (“STC”) and Creative Financial Group, a division of SSI. Trust services for Synovus are provided by Synovus Trust Company, N.A. The registered brokerdealer offering brokerage products for Synovus is Synovus Securities, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC and an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Investment products and services are not FDIC insured, are not deposits of or other obligations of Synovus Bank, are not guaranteed by Synovus Bank and involve investment risk, including possible loss of principal amount invested. Synovus Securities, Inc. is a subsidiary of Synovus Financial Corp and an affiliate of Synovus Bank and Synovus Trust. Synovus Trust Company, N.A. is a subsidiary of Synovus Bank.
CONTENTS 7. COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH FLORIDA 10. LETTER FROM PUBLISHER 12. LETTER FROM GUEST EDITOR
CULTURE & CUISINE
14. SPRING FASHION GUIDE 16. FRIED RED SNAPPER FINGERS AND POLENTA 19. SPRING STRAWBERRY BLOSSOM SMOOTHIE 20. MIDTOWN READS
ON THE COVER
24. DANA BROOKS A TRAILBLAZING WOMAN REDEFINING SUCCESS AND EMPOWERING OTHERS
44. WOMEN ON FIRE AWARDS AND BUSINESS EXPO
19
MIND, BODY & SPIRIT
42. NAVIGATING IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS WITH TRUSTED SUPPORT 44. EMBRACING THE "RIZZ" FACTOR 46. RAISING BOYS TO RESPECT GIRLS
14
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS 48. NAVIGATING THE DATING APP SCENE 50. CHALLENGING OURSELVES TO LEAVE A MARK ON THE WORLD 51. WE INSPIRE
38
TRAVEL
30. MADAME XHALES IN EGYPT
BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP
34. LEGAL WRITES WITH DANA BROOKS 36. STACKED: WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE WITH CARRIE BOYD 38. FROM STUDENT TO YOUNG PROFESSIONAL
50 24
24. ABOUT THE COVER: | PHOTOGRAPHY: KIRA DERRYBERRY | MUA: IMAGE BY LISA | HAIR: TANYA EVANS: EIGHT FIVE ZERO SALON | NAILS: IMAGE NAIL SPA & SALON | DRESS, JEWELRY: NARCISSUS
tallahassee woman | 4 | february • march 2024
WOM A N
MAGAZINE
February - March 2024 • Volume 19 • Issue 2
CRISTINA CARTER Relationship Manager
BRIANA SMITH Creative Consultant
PAULA DEBOLES-JOHNSON Director of Leadership Initiatives
Publisher | Editor-in-Chief Dr. Michelle Mitcham
REGINA LYNCH HUDSON Director of Luxury Travel
CONTRIBUTORS
Executive Editor
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) 739-1720 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 CERTIFIED MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
T A LWO M A N .C O M
LACI SWANN
KIRA DERRYBERRY PHOTOGRAPHER
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
JANE MARKS WRITER
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.
DR. JEANNE O'KON WRITER
Dr. Jeanne O'Kon is a member of the Tallahassee/Leon County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. She is a psychologist and teaches psychology at Flagler College Tallahassee. She taught the "Psychology of Women" course for many years, and has dedicated years to work focused on women and girls in our community.
INTERNS
ASHLEY LYNN FISCHER Florida State University
tallahassee woman | 6 | february • march 2024
HEATHER TOUBY Florida State University
KAITLYN WALSH Florida State University
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY?
A
t the Community Foundation of North Florida (CFNF), we understand that your philanthropic journey is personal and not a one-size-fits-all approach. Our goal is to first comprehend your philanthropic "why." Subsequently, we aim to assist you in aligning your "why" with the appropriate charitable giving tools to maximize the impact of your gift—not only for today but for generations to come.
Life Insurance and Testamentary Gifts: Both life insurance and testamentary gifts serve as impactful legacy gifts that can benefit our community in the future. Charitable Trust: A charitable trust offers financial flexibility, providing tax and estate planning advantages while supporting your chosen charity.
Explore these six charitable giving tools that you can utilize to establish a fund at CFNF and create an impact in our community:
IRA Required Minimum Distributions (IRA RMD): Consider using your annual withdrawal as a contribution to a fund at CFNF and/or your chosen charity.
Cash Gift: Cash gifts can establish a fund at CFNF and provide immediate support to your favorite charities.
Donor-Advised Funds: Establishing a donor-advised fund allows you to benefit our community both now and in the future.
Appreciated Assets: Gifting appreciated assets, such as stocks, is an excellent way to support your preferred charities and gain maximum tax benefits, including avoiding capital gains taxes.
At CFNF, our mission is to assist individuals and businesses in utilizing charitable giving tools to create a lasting impact in our community. Connecting your philanthropic "why" with the right charitable giving tool will not only benefit our community but can also make a meaningful difference for years to come.
tallahassee woman | 7 | february • march 2024
Talent Shaping Tallahassee Recently promoted to Director of Planning, Dr. Laurel Harbin brings nearly a decade of public service in planning, in addition to private sector and university-level adjunct faculty and lecturer experience, to her new role. Since joining the City of Tallahassee’s planning department in 2015, Harbin has worked in multiple roles and specialty areas including Land Use Planning, Special Projects and Administration. With the planning department, Harbin leads projects that intersect urban design, land use and community engagement. She enjoys opportunities to facilitate community conversations and bring good projects to fruition that make a positive impact in Tallahassee-Leon County. Harbin has led Midtown placemaking efforts, stakeholder engagement through listening sessions and Architectural Design Review for historic properties as a member of the Architectural Review Board. A strategic focus to long-term planning goals and engaging directly with community members representing local neighborhoods, organizations and businesses allows Harbin to direct planning projects that align with community needs now and in the future. In addition to her leadership role with Tallahassee-Leon County, Harbin shares her expertise through board service for the Capital Area Section of the American Planning Association (APA), as a featured presenter for APA Florida conferences and published author in Florida Planning Magazine and as a volunteer with the Urban Land Institute engaging local high schoolers in planning. To learn more about Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department's expertise in the areas of long-range land use, environmental and transportation planning, visit Talgov.com/Planning.
DR. LAUREL HARBIN
The City of Tallahassee is the largest single provider of municipal services in the region, including police, fire, public transportation, electric, gas, water, parks and more. As Human Resources and Workforce Development Manager, Sondra Timpson works each day to hire and retain employees who pride themselves on providing exceptional customer service and doing great things to create a strong, vibrant community. Timpson, who earned her juris doctorate from Western Michigan University, joined the City in 2022 following more than a decade of public service with the State of Florida. Today, she enjoys the camaraderie of the City’s workforce and the variety of her day-to-day work to support staff across departments who are serving the public in different environments. Timpson’s role requires the ability to multitask, relay clear and concise information and maintain a high level of organization. Developing policies and procedures for a diverse workforce in line with the City’s strategic plan are key components of Timpson’s work. When challenges arise, she uses skills developed as a certified mediator to find common ground and create effective solutions. Timpson leads with a passion for public service. Across the organization, this commitment to best-in-class service delivery has led to organizational achievements including being named a two-time All-America City, No. 1 Public Utility in the nation, Most Livable City and one of the South’s Best Cities. To learn more about how you can do great things as a City of Tallahassee employee, visit Talgov.com/Jobs.
SONDRA TIMPSON, J.D.
PUBLISHER LETTER
Dear Empowered Women of Tallahassee,
I
n this special edition of Tallahassee Woman Magazine, we gather together to celebrate the phenomenal strength and resilience of women like Dana Brooks, who graces our cover as a vivacious and unstoppable powerhouse. Don’t miss her powerful interview with our guest editor, Ms. Katherine L. Viker. Esq. As we embrace Women’s History Month in March, we honor the indomitable spirit of those who have come before us and the fierce ambition that propels us forward. In a world that often challenges and doubts us, remember that no dream is too big. Embrace every obstacle and doubt as fuel to become the best version of yourself. True motivation springs from within, so never give up. Hold onto hope and optimism, and if you stumble, rise again with unwavering determination. Confidence and self-belief are your allies on this journey, and success is merely failure turned inside out.
Photo by Kira Derryberry Photography
When one door closes, have the courage to seek the open window or forge a new pathway. Don’t let anyone stifle your creativity or belittle your ideas. Follow your dreams relentlessly, for you possess the ability to be a multifaceted force. The notion of the “multi-hyphenate” expands beyond the boundaries of a singular talent. It encompasses the many passions, talents, and streams of income that make you whole. So, dare to explore and embrace the vast possibilities that lie before you. On behalf of the Tallahassee Woman Magazine team, we celebrate you, embrace you,
and encourage you to live your best life. Women’s History Month is a time to honor the dynamic and courageous women who have defied the odds. It is a call to action, urging us all to seize our power and never surrender. Within these pages, you will find stories that ignite your spirit and remind you of your limitless potential. Let the words of our contributors empower you, inspire you, and propel you toward even more greatness. Together, let us create a legacy of resilience and determination to inspire future generations.
for being a part of this incredible journey. May you find strength, inspiration, and unwavering belief in your extraordinary power. We look forward to seeing you on March 20 for the annual Women on Fire Awards and WWMB expo!! With
From the depths of our souls, we thank you
boundless
admiration,
Dr. Michelle Mitcham
Publisher and President tallahassee woman | 10 | february • march 2024
Michelle
PHOTO BY DANIMARIE PHOTOGRAPHY
AT
tallahassee woman | 11 | february • march 2024
GUEST EDITOR LETTER Being raised by and alongside the remarkable women of Tallahassee is a gift and an honor. The sisterhood of Tallahassee, undeniably one of our most valuable resources, consists of strong, capable, and brilliant women -Katherine L. Viker
adults. We sang fun songs, songs filled with hope, some love songs, and even belted out Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”
Katherine L. Viker
A
s a Tallahassee native, I cannot envision another community where I'd prefer to live and raise my children. This is largely due to the remarkable women in our community. The ladies of Tallahassee have consistently been my rock. Whether as a child, an adult, a wife, a mother, or a single parent, at every life stage, I have been surrounded by strong, capable, and brilliant women. These women set an example, seamlessly blending charm with a strength that surpasses the imagination of anyone who might mistake that charm for weakness. The sisterhood of Tallahassee is undeniably one of our most valuable resources. Being raised by you and alongside you is a gift. It is my honor to remain among you. Whether you were born here or chose Tallahassee as your home, if you are reading this, you are one of us. I have shared many days and nights with you—laughing, crying, singing into hairbrushes—both as children and
With immense joy, I introduce you to one of my favorite hairbrush co-singers, Dana Brooks. As the song goes, “Maybe looks a little sassy, But to me, she’s real classy… She’s my Tallahassee Lassie, Down in F-L-A.” You all are, and I thank you for being you.
Katherine L. Viker is an attorney specializing in civil rights, discrimination, and entertainment law with Marie A. Mattox PA. A fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, she fought to expose transgender bias locally and statewide, bringing the first transgender discrimination lawsuit to the local EEOC. Katherine recently served as lead counsel in the widely publicized Ed Sheeran copyright infringement lawsuit in New York, proudly representing the family and owners of the legendary song “Let’s Get it On”.
tallahassee woman | 12 | february • march 2024
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