Since 2007, KCCI (Knight Creative Communities Institute) has been marshalling teams of volunteers to enhance the Capital City's "sense of place." To talk about those initiatives are: KCCI Executive Director Betsy Couch; current Community Catalyst team members Shannon Colavecchio and Dan Taylor; 2020 Community Catalyst Member Patrick O'Bryant; and Ryan Sheplak whose team turned the "I-Heart-Tally" hashtag into an iconic sculpture at Cascades Park.

When child abuse happens in Florida, the Network of Children's Advocacy Centers swings into action through its 27 regional agencies. They provide a safe, comforting environment for the children as their case is investigated and the Network also acts as a coordinator for the response of other organizations' involvement. To talk about it are: Cindy Vallely, the Network's executive director; and Board President Jackie Stephens.

Only Tallahassee, Florida has the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. That, combined with the research and workforce development capabilities of the town's two universities and community college, make for unique and valuable assets in both attracting out-of-town business, as well as new home-grown enterprise. To talk about the initiative are: Greg Boebinger, Director of the High Magnetic Field Laboratory; Cristina L. Paredes, Director, Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality; Abby Queale, CEO at Magnetics Corporation; Ricardo Schneider, President, Danfoss Turbocor Compressors; and Jeff Whalen, STEM Entrepreneur in Residence at the FSU Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship.

Many amazing and transformative women are making Tallahassee an even better place to live, work and achieve. For the past dozen-plus years, the Oasis Center for Women and Girls has honored many of them with its annual Trailblazer Awards. Some of this year's honorees talk about their stories and the importance of fostering a new generation of Trailblazers, along with a few Oasis Center leaders. On the panel are Trailblazers: Gabrielle Gabrielli; Karen Moore; Kristel Avilus; and Girls Can Do Anything Award winner Haniah Edwards. Also taking part in the discussion are: Oasis Founder Kelly Otte; and Board Member Glenda Thornton.

Previous attempts to address the Capital City's daunting income gap between its richest and poorest residents haven't met with great success. But a new initiative, based on national best practices and leveraging resources across the community, offers hope for a breakthrough. To talk about it, as well as this Friday's (3/26) Prosperity For All Summit are: Bart Bibler, founder and CEO of iHOPE, Inc.; Miaisha Mitchell, executive director Greater Frenchtown Revitalization Council; Tom Taylor, former collaboration specialist at FSU's FCRC Consensus Center; Talethia Edwards, founder and organizer of Tallahassee Forward Collective; and Freddy Branham, executive director ECHO.

Older folks have certainly been more at risk for serious illness or even death from COVID-19. But the pandemic has also had some upsides for many seniors. From learning new online skills to discovering new ways to connect with family and the community, we talk about how seasoned citizens are responding with: Yolanda Hue with Tallahassee's Tapestry Senior Living; Gail Matillo, president and CEO of the Florida Senior Living Association; Elder Law Attorney Twyla Sketchley; Shiela Salyer, director of the Tallahassee Senior Center; and Dr. Neil Charness, director of the Institute for Successful Longevity at Florida State University.

Even as the coronavirus threat begins to recede in the face of widespread vaccinations, a large percentage of North Florida residents remain food insecure. That need has spawned powerful partnerships to address that and other challenges facing these residents. To talk about it are: Monique Van Pelt, executive director Second Harvest of the Big Bend; Dr. Michelle Gayle, assistant superintendent Leon County Schools; the school district's chief of nutritional services, James Howcroft; and Kerri Anderson, principal of W.T. Moore Elementary School.

Just a few short generations ago, many jobs - especially in the construction arena - were considered exclusively a male domain. Today, women are involved in virtually every facet of that industry and many more that were previously closed to them. To talk about it are: Kerwyn Jones-Wilson with Jones Construction and Design; Stephanie Wilder with Rowe Roofing; Jackie Wilson with Metronet; Heather Nelson from Tallahassee International Airport; and Michelle Madison with Farming the Future.

This past December, Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey pledged to incorporate the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into the day-to-day functioning of city government. In this edition of Perspectives, he's joined by Mark Schlakman from Florida State University's Center for the Advancement of Human Rights who helped craft the initiative.

What factors are really impacting the loss of Apalachicola's world-famous oysters? A new research project called the Apalachicola Bay System Initiative is out to get the answers and use those results to guide future policy regarding the bay's iconic seafood. To talk about it are: Georgia Ackerman, executive director Apalachicola Riverkeeper; Sandra Brooke, FSU Coastal and Marine Lab faculty member; Jim Estes, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission fisheries researcher; Anita Grove, Apalachicola City Commissioner; Shannon Hartsfield, 4th generation Franklin County seafood worker; and Ricky Jones, chair, Franklin County Commission.