Perspectives

Four Tallahassee small business operators talk about the challenges and opportunities that abound in Florida’s Capital City and what can be done to promote more of these kinds of local enterprises. The panelists are: Joe Berg, President of the All Saints District Community Assoc. and relentless “Shop Local” advocate; Mutaquee Akbar, founder and owner of Frenchtown’s Akbar Law Firm who is promoting the commercial revitalization of that historic neighborhood; Paul Bradshaw, owner of Blue Dog

WFSU and Florida A&M University will jointly present the premiere screening of the documentary, “Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities” in FAMU’s Lee Hall Auditorium at 7 pm on January, 26, along with a panel discussion on the history, present time and future of HBCUs. In advance of that, we discuss the topic with Kanya Stewart with the Florida A&M Office of Communications; former FAMU student now FAMU Professor Dr. Atira Charles; and Senior Journalism

The youngest victims of Florida’s growing addiction to opioids are the children of those who are addicted. The growth in their numbers is straining the state’s resources, including the foster care and Guardian Ad Litem programs. To talk about it are: longtime Guardian Ad Litem Executive Director Alan Abramowitz; State Representative Patricia Williams (D-Fort Lauderdale) – herself a foster parent and Guardian Ad Litem volunteer - who is sponsoring three bills aimed at shortening the time kids

The incidence of human trafficking is on the upswing, both nationwide and even in the Capital City. To discuss the issue and the vast community resources now arrayed against this heinous crime are: Chris Canova, acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida and head of the Big Bend Coalition Against Human Trafficking; Jeff Beasley, chief of investigations with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office; Robin Hassler Thompson, executive director of STAC (the Survive and Thrive

In Leon County more than 40 percent of the people living here are putting more than a third of their income toward housing costs. That’s according to 2016 data from the University of Florida’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies. That means more than 40 percent of the county’s residents are living in housing that’s considered unaffordable. Joining us for the discussion are: Wanda Hunter Assistant County Administrator for Citizen Services Michael Parker Director of Housing and Human Services for

Tallahassee’s own Shacafrica Simmons – better known as “Chef Shac” – shares her kitchen secrets, holiday recipe suggestions and eclectic approach to cooking. Earlier this year, she won the title of “Chopped Champion” on the popular Food Network program.

The Capital City was a whirlwind of seminars, workshops, community forums and networking events this week, all involving the area’s newest do-it-yourself businesses. To talk about the ever-improving environment for these enterprises in Tallahassee are: Darryl Jones, deputy director for Minority and Women Small Business Enterprise at the Office for Economic Vitality; David Brightbill, founder of Making Awesome, the community workshop for arts and tech makers; Brian Wyatt, president and CEO of

In recent months, Tallahassee and Leon County’s crime rates have become the subject of breathless media coverage. But both Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo and Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil agree the raw numbers can be misleading. Also discussed during the program, law officer training, crime-fighting technology and crime prevention measures.

Since 2007, the Knight Creative Communities Institute (“KCCI” for short) has been steadily remaking and reimagining Florida’s Capital City through a series of projects driven by volunteer “community catalysts”. To talk about those past and future initiatives are: KCCI Executive Director Betsy Couch; and former catalyst and present KCCI Board Member Lauren Shoaf Pace.

The old ways of oystering are just about over in the Gulf waters off North Florida. But new methods of cultivating oysters could mean new generations of men and women making their livelihood from the water. To talk about it: Rob Olin, chairman and CEO of the Panacea Oyster Co-op; Bob Ballard, executive director of Tallahassee Community College’s Wakulla Environmental Institute; Leo Lovel, old-time seafood harvester and owner of the Spring Creek Restaurant; and first-generation oyster rancher