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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Dear readers, please take just a moment to leave your Comment. Thank you!

The good ol’ USA is often touted as a land of opportunity. A unique place where new people come in search of freedom and prosperity. That is the essence of the American dream. Here is a beautiful example of that very thing. A young couple develops a dream of starting a bold new restaurant in a small town. They have the courage to take cuisine to new levels while also helping the community. The name of their exciting eatery is The American and this is just a small part of their delightful and delicious story. American cuisine mixes courage with determination.

Tyler and Heather Thomas stumbled upon the town of Bainbridge, Georgia and simply fell in love with it. So much so that they sold their house and quit their jobs in Tallahassee, Florida to relocate to the little town with a population of less than fourteen thousand.

Bainbridge was in the midst of a revitalization and the young couple could envision working hard to become a vital part of a growing and thriving town. Their timing was so good that this writer is convinced that the hand of God was guiding them. They do say that a huge amount of prayer went into the decision. I say that they have been abundantly blessed and are now a blessing to others.

What makes a restaurant really good…great, even? In my humble opinion that would be the people, the attitude, the ambiance, and the food. The people, Tyler and Heather and their staff, seem to be practically dripping with warm hospitality. When I first met them, dang y’all, I wanted to hug them. Covid-19 made hugs off limits at that time. But, believe me, next time I return to Bainbridge there will be lots of hugs!

American cuisine mixes courage with determination. The attitude at The American is obvious in word and deed. They work long hours and go out of their way to use as many locally sourced ingredients as they can find. The staff goes all out to make sure customers are satisfied. Hundreds of happy eaters have left glowing reviews on social media to spread the word on how awesome and wonderful The American truly is.

The ambiance starts with exposed brick walls and dark wooden floors. It continues with the delicately understated decor on the walls and bookshelves. Dang y’all, even the drinking glasses and the candle holders convey the idea of simple and yet elegant.

Which brings us, dear reader, to the food. Savory, sweet, delightful, delicious… I could go on for hours. There are not enough good words in the American English language to tell you how tasty you will find it. If you seek meat and veggies, you will love it. If you prefer fish or lobster, then come on down. Even if you desire to indulge your sweet tooth, The American is the place.

Little things make all the difference. Like basting a broiled lobster tail with garlic and tarragon. Or making a peppermint goat cheesecake from scratch with a chocolate cookie crust. Yum!!!

Oh, I hope that you get to Bainbridge, Georgia sooner rather than later. You will love the small charming town. You will enjoy the dining experience at The American. Dang y’all, you will be able to savor not only the flavor, but also courage of the cuisine. Say hi to Tyler and Heather for me when you go. Tell them you saw it here at EmbraceSouthernStates.com. Enjoy!

https://www.facebook.com/TheAmericanBainbridge

TRAVEL WRITING… to travel…and take photos…and interview people…and work with great websites like Rovology! These are things that bring me great JOY. What you see here is basically three articles in one. My thoughts on some of my own odd and random photos; thoughts about Tupelo and Columbus; thoughts about a website called Rovology that publishes articles. Read on about Rovology and snippets of serendipity.

Today I am sharing some extra photos with you…in addition to the ones that made it into the two published articles mentioned below. If it is true that every picture tells a story, then you deserve to know about a few of them, right?

Tupelo, Mississippi is a beautiful and friendly small southern town where anyone can find things to love about visiting. I loved the murals, the architecture, the charm, and (of course) getting to visit the birthplace of Elvis. Snow and Covid tried hard to prevent my enjoyment of Tupelo…but I persisted and had a great time. I did not get to interview some folks that had been prescheduled…when I arrived most government offices were shut down so I missed my chance to meet the Mayor. Many restaurants were shut down so I missed my chance to eat too much.

The biggest lesson I learned was that snow and Covid could not take away my JOY! Travel will often test writers like me, to see how well we can regroup, pivot, and adapt to unexpected details and detours. The JOURNEY is just as important as the DESTINATION. That includes being open to staggering snippets of serendipity.

Let me suggest that you read this entire article BEFORE you click on either the Tupelo or the Columbus links.

If you happen to be a freelance writer, you may wish to take a closer look at Rovology. It is a website that publishes travel articles from all over the world. The publisher is knowledgeable and works well with new writers who are eager for their first bylines.

After spending three nights in Tupelo, my next stop was Columbus, Mississippi. By then the snow has melted and things were trying to return to normal. Columbus is absolutely adorable and I highly recommend spending time in this captivating community.

So the three photos above are a bit of a teaser. I’m hoping YOU will want to know more and ASK for details. It’s true, I urge you to ask me what is so special about weird art or some rusty old iron fence or even some local character who wears funny hats!!! IT WOULD THRILL ME if you express a true interest in this. That is why folks like me enjoy writing… to find out if anyone else is paying attention and longs to get the inside scoop on what happened.

If you made it the way to here, CONGRATULATIONS. Not everyone reads the entire article so you are to be commended. Also I’d like to sweetly invite you to leave some comment…about Tupelo or Columbus…or about this article…or about “Rovology” . Remember, you can ask for additional details about any of the photos and I will reply. THANK YOU.

Jen Ruiz has done it! She has written a book that is informative and entertaining, while also being incredibly HELPFUL. New writers like me often wonder…am I a content creator, a negotiator, a marketing professional, or an influencer…or will I really be able to DO all those things? Her book has boosted my confidence and my determination to do it all and to BE all those things and more. Thank you, Jen Ruiz for writing this HOW TO book for bloggers.

FROM BLOG TO BUSINESS walks us through every little question and quandry. This HOW TO book for bloggers gives great advice on topics like Publicity, Digital Courses, and Media Kits. There are lots of links and free resources. Jen Ruiz has kindly explained in FROM BLOG TO BUSINESS so many quirks, concepts, titles, and terms that I had heard yet not fully understood. The author speaks with authority on blogging issues that are often quite confusing to newbies. She is open and honest about SEO, marketing, conferences, and so much more that every content creator has to deal with. This book is destined to become my main reference source as I continue to navigate this new-to-me world of blogging.

THANK YOU, Jen Ruiz of  https://jenonajetplane.com/   for “From Blog to Business:How to Make Money Blogging & Work From Anywhere”.