In the Spotlight: Betty + Nijah Proctor | Mother-Daughter Duo

Cover Woman: Analorena Melendez | TWM Cover for April to May 2024

TLH Cares: WEE’s New Center in NW Tallahassee

Featured Partner: Innovation Park | Members

Things To Do in TLH + Networking Events

Congrats to this week’s winner!

Betty Proctor and her daughter Nijah, own Obsessions Gift Shop in Railroad Square Art District. The shop opened in October 2017 to give other artists and vendors a space to try their craft. In 2018, she introduced art classes and business workshops for people with special needs.

Betty said she quit her job in social work at Florida State University's Autism Institute in 2017 after her daughter, who is on the autism spectrum, was having panic attacks at her high school. She found that creating art and jewelry was the best remedy, so they started selling jewelry in Frenchtown.

She hopes to help those on the spectrum transition into professional workspaces and become entrepreneurs like her daughter.

In 2020, the duo started the nonprofit organization Motivating People through Arts and Crafts (MPAC), where they offer career development and art workshops to help encourage people to enhance their social skills and career goals, especially those with autism.

Analorena is the CEO and Owner of A&E Wholesale, a distribution company that provides over 3,000 items in the categories of beverages, candy, chocolate, medicine, cigars, automotive supplies, and bags to over 1,200 convenience stores and smoke shops in North Florida and South Georgia.

She currently serves as the Vice President of the Florida Association of Wholesale Distributors Board of Directors, as the Treasurer for the CESC (Kearney Center) Board, Board member of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Second Harvest of the Big Bend, and as the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra.

Women Empowering Each Other's new hub is a place where women can come to receive essential resources such as diapers or household items, as well as coaching and therapy.

The center is an intermediary for women in the neighborhood. They are partnering with different agencies, especially for homelessness prevention, poverty-related issues, and educational resources. Some of their partner agencies include the Red Cross and the Junior League of Tallahassee.

Upcoming events at WEE include talk therapy and a Mother's Day diaper shower. Check out their FB page for updates. If you would like to drop off resource donations to help WEE, you can do so at 5028 Tennessee Capital Blvd, 32303.

CareerSource Capital Region

Danfoss Turbocor Compressors

Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion (FCAAP)

FSU Information Technology Services

National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab)

See full list

Funds from the plant sale will further the beautification and cultivation of Goodwood's gardens and grounds.

8 AM to 11 AM - Pioneer Breakfast | $8 to $10 Tickets

8 AM to 5 PM - Jazz & Blues Breakfast Combo | $14 to $19.50 Tickets

15+ sessions, 4 tracks, Keynote Speaker: Dr. Lisa Hinkelman, the CEO of ROX

Be among the first 100 Full-Day Ticket holders, and you'll receive a copy of Dr. Lisa Hinkleman’s book, “Girls Without Limits” ($30 value), for free!

This event is free for all young professionals! Current Access members will receive one (1) drink ticket upon entry.