Month: June 2021

Strong advocacy for women and girls is part of what makes her fierce. A healthy social conscience and self-confidence is part of what makes her functional. Making the best of beauty in body and mind is part of what makes her fabulous.

Dana Brooks has managed to take all the parts of her life and put the puzzle pieces together. Those pieces formed a map leading her to her best self.

The pieces include mother, lawyer, speaker, author, feminist, and friend.

Here are the significant highlights of our recent interview.

How would you explain your job in simple terms?

I am a trial lawyer specializing in complex civil litigation. I help injured people recover from their accidents and come back stronger than they were before.

What are the biggest rewards from your job?

Helping people who had almost given up finding hope, competence, and confidence. Watching them move past a bad experience to later help others who are struggling. That “pay it forward” aspect is the most rewarding.

What else to you like about your work?

The fine living I earn enables me to support non-profits, foundations, and political candidates whose missions and standards align with mine. It allows me to promote and protect women and girls through public speaking, spread empowered content through media, and microfinance entrepreneurial efforts.

What are some of your best qualities?

Optimism is huge for me and has gotten me through some dark days. I have integrity, honor, and ethics. I’m a good person who genuinely cares about others. I own my stuff and walk my talk while being open to feedback.  

How do you feel about living in Tallahassee?

Love it! Love the natural beauty, the canopy roads, the native plants, and the springs. Tallahassee people love this town and enjoy a chance to show it off. It is an All-American City where people want to put down roots and raise families.

Do you enjoy travel?

Absolutely! Would happily return to Australia, which is almost the size of the contiguous USA but with less than 10 % of the population. The indigenous people and the country’s colonization history is fascinating.

I look forward to one day visiting Africa. I want to see their animals in as native an environment as possible… without getting eaten!

What was your most fun travel experience?

Turning around in Will Ferrell’s driveway! My (then) husband and I took my daughter to Los Angeles to see homes of stars and play tourists on her 16^th birthday. After the paid tour we tried to retrace the route in a rented convertible. My daughter was mortified that we would slow down, check out the homes, and even speak to anyone who happened to be outside. She slunk down to avoid being seen. But she had a blast and we had fun being the embarrassing parents.

How do you spark your creativity?

Committing to deadlines, then knowing they must be met. I have so many fabulous ideas, but what brings them to fruition is having to do it. I’m easily motivated by both positive and negative forces. I don’t like that about myself, but I am working to improve it.

What activities help relieve your stress?

Nothing is better than public speaking when the crowd digs what I’m saying. They listen and begin thinking about their problems in a different way. When women and girls affirm my fierce advocacy and wish to continue the discussion, it is highly motivational and pushes me forward.

A completely separate way I relax is by cooking. The tediousness of chopping vegetables seems somehow especially rewarding.

What are some random facts about you that folks don’t know?

I was an only child raised by a single mom. I’ve had more than my share of bad relationships, abuse, and mental health issues. My new book “Functional Feminism” is all about empowering women and has lots more of my history.

On a lighter note, my favorite movie is You’ve Got Mail, and my favorite musical genre is alternative. As for my favorite dessert, I don’t really eat a lot of sweets. However, it would either be crème brulee or key lime pie. I am happily divorced and dating. My daughter is in graduate school.

What makes you an exuberant person?

A lust for life. A sense of being easily bored. A natural curiosity about anything I haven’t experienced and don’t know. A desire to learn about other people through functional conversations. All those things make me magnetic, and people are naturally drawn to that.

What is your message for the world?

Believe in hope. Believe tomorrow will be better than today. Believe that every setback is actually an opportunity that made a bad first impression. Believe in change. Believe in yourself and your genuine goodness. THEN ACT ON IT!

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Dang y’all, don’t you just want to stand up and cheer for Dana Brooks? I sure do! I so admire her fierce advocacy for women and girls. I respect her love of functional feminism and functional conversation. I applaud the fact that she is not afraid to use that wonderful brain of hers, which is chugging full of fabulous ideas.

For more info, see https://www.fasigbrooks.com/attorneys/dana-brooks/  .

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For Tallahassee up and coming young chef Leon Brunson, it seems that the universe is unfolding as it should. Known to many as simply Chef Leon, this 26- year-old is super excited to see his flavorful dream happening sooner than he expected.

His first restaurant will be opening in a mere matter of months. Leon’s will be in a charming cottage. The idyllic setting is at the end of a quiet lane surrounded by moss-laden oaks with lovely Lake Ella as the backdrop. There will be a Dutch door where the lake walkers can grab a quick bite to go. Others can choose to sit inside for a more relaxed fine dining experience, complete with wine and music.

He took a breath and a break one recent morning to sit outside near his cottage and speak quite candidly about his past. Then he continued sharing just as openly about his present and future.

Leon Brunson grew up in Panama City, Florida and matured in Tallahassee, Florida. He is Afro-Latino, born of a black father and Mexican mother. They are dedicated to one another and lovingly see each other through health issues and all of life’s other challenges.

Leon has a degree in culinary management and a degree in neuroscience. He has enjoyed cooking in restaurants, for private events, and on social media.  Here are excerpts from our interview.

What do you enjoy most about being a chef?

First is the joy of creativity as I play with the blending of flavors. Food is a specialized expression of intention, purpose, and patience. Then there is the personal interaction. Satisfied smiles are one level. The next level is the stories they share with me as they are enjoying a quality meal.

What are your other passions?

I like exercise, cleaning, planning projects, and travel. But my biggest one is music. Growing up I played sax and guitar, attended band camps, and sang in a choir. I like karaoke and a wide variety of musical genres; my favorite is indie. For 16 years I have played an arcade game called Dance Dance Revolution, in which I am ranked 9^th in the world and 6^th in the USA.

Can you say more about Tallahassee and about travel?

The people of Tallahassee are genuine and caring. They want one another to make positive changes and to thrive. There are lots of great parks, natural beauty, historical college campuses. Plus, there are wonderful coffee shops and breweries.

I have been to Seattle and Japan and would love to visit both again. One place where I had a lot of fun was Daytona. I spent time at a hotel on the beach just kicking back and taking time to appreciate being with friends. A place I haven’t been yet that is on the top of my bucket list is Morocco.

What are a few things that most people do not know about you?

There are some general things, such as my favorite dessert is coconut cassava cake, and my favorite movie is The Terminal. There are next level things, such as I envision becoming more involved in community development. I want to help educate young people of color on taking the best routes to reach their dreams. Then there is the deepest stuff, like I believe in being open about even the most uncomfortable issues. I wish we could all talk honestly and easily about race, health, mental health, and love.

I’m on a journey in search of that special someone I could dedicate my cooking to…I’m a good and determined chef…but …two things. I know I need more practice and I know I will be at my best when I fall in love.

What makes you an exuberant and lovable person?

Positivity and kindness are my best qualities. I look forward to each new day. I respond well to most situations. I believe that being my most authentic self is what brings the greatest happiness.

Any final thoughts or message for the world?

I believe in envisioning what you want, planning for it very carefully, then taking proper action through many small steps. Hopefully, some of those steps may lead you to come visit me at Leon’s. I would love to meet you and see how we may inspire each other with great conversation while enjoying music and food.

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