FEBRUARY 2023/MARCH 2023
GASLIGHTING LOVE ACTUALLY IS.... WITH ELIZABETH RICCI
BLACK HISTORY MONTH WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH SELF CARE WITH JANE MARKS JUNIOR LEAGUE
TANYA EVANSSolo Trips GOLF TOURNAMENT You Can't Pour From An Empty Cup!
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CONTENTS
10. LETTER FROM PUBLISHER 12. LETTER FROM EXECUTIVE EDITOR 14. LETTER FROM GUEST EDITOR
CULTURE & CUISINE
16. INTERVIEW WITH DR. CHANTA HAYWOOD 18.CAJUN TUSCAN PASTA 20. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 21. CHICKPEA SOUP
LIVING LOCAL
22. W.E. ELEVATE: TAMARYN WATERS 24. SWEET HOME TALLAHASSEE: VICKI BRADLEY 25. AROUND TOWN: GIRLS ON THE RUN WONDER WOMEN AWARDS 26. HAUTE HAPPENINGS
ON THE COVER
28. FAITH AND FAMILY ON THE FRONT LINES WITH ADRIAN COOKSEY, JEANNE' & BRANDI KNIGHT
38
BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP
36. WHERE YOU RETIRE COULD IMPACT YOUR TAXES 37. LEGAL WRITES WITH DANA BROOKS 38. STACKED: WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE 40. UPCOMING WOMEN WHO MEAN BUSINESS AWARDS
TRAVEL
42. MADAME XHALES ON CLOUD 9 ADVENTURES 45. TRAVELING SOLO
28 22 28
MIND, BODY & SPIRIT 46. GIRLFRIEND, GET AWAY FROM GASLIGHTERS! 48. GUILTY PLEASURES
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
48. LOVE ACTUALLY IS WITH ELIZABETH RICCI & RAMBANA
18 48
28. ABOUT THE COVER: | PHOTOGRAPHY: KIRA DERRYBERRY | MUA: IMAGE BY LISA | DRESS: PRIVATE COLLECTION
tallahassee woman | 4 | february 2023 • march 2023
WOM A N
MAGAZINE
February 2023 - March 2023 • Volume 18 • Issue 2
Publisher | Editor-in-Chief Dr. Michelle Mitcham
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Laci Swann CREATIVE CONSULTANT Briana Smith RELATIONSHIP MANAGER Cristina Carter
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Olivia Heyward DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS Marcia Warfel DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES Paula DeBoles-Johnson DIRECTOR OF LUXURY TRAVEL Regina Lynch Hudson
INTERNS Lydia Beazer
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TALLAHASSEE WOMAN is a publication of Mitcham Media Group LLC Post Office Box 16616 | Tallahassee, FL 32317-3401 Phone (850) 739-1720 | info@TalWoman.com Tallahassee Woman is published six times per year and is distributed on a complimentary basis throughout Tallahassee and the surrounding communities.
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 © 2023 Mitcham Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in part or in whole, without expressed written consent of the Publisher is prohibited.
tallahassee woman | 6 | february 2023 • march 2023
Celebrating
Black History Month By Laci Swann
J
anuary 1st marks a new beginning – a new year and a fresh start. Many people feel a major boost of energy when January 1st rolls around. There’s just something about a clean slate. While I love the start of a new year, my energy really comes alive on February 1st, the start of Black History Month. As a human and a mama to Black children, I am committed to doing the work. I’m fueled to take stock of where systemic racism persists, enthusiastic about creating spaces for my POC counterparts, and enthralled with the new lessons I learn through book recommendations and community involvement. Please understand that Black History Month is a special time to engage with history
but certainly not the only time. Prioritize continually supporting Black businesses. Also, share information, whether in person or online, about racial injustice. Show the world that you do not stand with bigotry and injustice. Consider donating to Black youth programs. Our children are our future, so let us uplift and support. I encourage you to engage with history, as this is vital to providing context for the present, and I encourage you to make a genuine effort to understand Black history, going beyond stories of racism to spotlight Black achievement. May we embrace the narrative, the truth, that Black accomplishments are the cornerstone of America. I hope you feel new waves of energy, too, and now is as good a time as ever to create change for yourself and your community.
CONTRIBUTORS
KIRA DERRYBERRY PHOTOGRAPHER Kira Derryberry is AUTUMN VASSEL a Tallahassee-based WRITER Autumn Vassell, founder portrait photographer of Fall For Your Travels specializing in families, REGINA LYNCHheadshots and boudoir LLC, is a Verified HUDSON Travel Consultant from and commercial WRITER photography. She books Detroit, Michigan. Veteran publicist LACI SWANN While working full-time locally in Tallahasee and luxury lifestyle and is available for WRITER as a process engineer, experience-aholic, travel worldwide. View Laci Swann is a Board Autumn also decided Regina Lynch-Hudson, Kira's portfolio online at Member of the Autism to open her own travel pens MadameXhales, kiraderryberry.com Society of Florida, agency in 2022 named slated towards the vinrepresenting the state’s Fall For Your Travels tage of woman that enpanhandle in fundraising LLC it offers clients joys more time to travel. and advocacy efforts. a variety of different MadameXhales explores Laci is the Principal services like travel destinations, cruises, reof Sharp Editorial, an consultations, itinerary sorts, spas and extracuraward-winning editorial planning, and booking. ricular activities. + small business consulting + branding design.
JANE MARKS WRITER MICHAEL N Jane Marks is a licensed MITCHAM psychotherapist "life WRITER coach" with 50+ years of Michael N Mitcham experience specializing is a retired senior in child and adolescent network engineering and behavior. She is a operations executive, motivational speaker/ possessing over three lecturer focusing on decades of experience in mental health and the telecommunications adolescents. industry. He grew up in Detroit, MI and earned a BSEE from Michigan State University, and an MBA from Northern Illinois University.
REBECCA WEAVER WRITER Rebecca Weaver, news reporter, onair personality Steve Harvey Morning Show, guest chef WCTV’s “Good Morning Show.” Rebecca inspires positive change nationally and internationally. She promotes peace, respect for diversity, and advancements towards equality for all.
tallahassee woman | 8 | february 2023 • march 2023
THAIS GONZALEZ WRITER Thais Gonzalez is a retired Tallahassee Spanish teacher. She taught over 5,000 students in the community throughout her career. Leading students to first place at the annual regional Modern Language Expo competition on multiple occasions she is well known in her field.
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Celebrating
Small Things Often! HAPPY SPRINGTIME!
T
PUBLISHER
here is so much to celebrate! Life, love, family, friendships, sisterhood, happiness, faith, accomplishments, Black History Month, Women’s History Month and just being alive! What are you celebrating this week or month? No need to wait for a holiday to embrace and celebrate yourself or someone you respect or care about. Life is short. Appreciate the small things often…. small successes as well as big ones. Are you enjoying the journey and not just the destination? TWM celebrates diverse people, perspectives, religions, and special holidays. This month is a special one – Black History month, celebrating the accomplishments of African American people that contribute so much to our community, our country, and our world. With this said, TWM congratulates three outstanding and courageous African American women in the healthcare field, Adrian Cooksey, Brandi Knight, and Jeanne Freeman. Our own dynamic Paula DeBoles-Johnson introduces these phenomenal women in a heartfelt reflection that you don’t want to miss. Celebrating small things often or that we take for granted, is critical for our well-being and happiness. Because the small things are important and add up. It is critical for us busy women to slow down and savor the special moments and the ones we love. In this issue, we celebrate love actually, in a special interview with Elizabeth Ricci, on her secrets to a successful and loving relationship with her darling husband, Neil. Don’t ever stop celebrating love and loved ones. This time of year, the community is celebrating women, such as United Way’s Women United Power of the Purse; and Tallahassee Community College celebrates Women in History; Oasis Center for Women and Girls celebrates its Trailblazer Awards and so many more great events, so mark your calendars. Come out and enjoy the positive energy and celebrate with the community of caring women.
Photo by Kira Derryberry Photography
Please take time to renew, refresh, reset, reclaim your time, reflect, and recharge your batteries. Renewal, just like the lotus flower, is possible every day. Give yourself permission to redefine what is important in your life and take the time needed to celebrate you and others. Revisit your selfcare plan and make the adjustments needed to be the best version of yourself. Optimistically yours,
Dr. Michelle Mitcham
tallahassee woman | 10 | february 2023 • march 2023
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