Laura Sherman, Lowry Baldwin and Elizabeth Krystyn never thought they’d end up in the insurance industry, yet their unique paths brought them together to co-found Baldwin, Krystyn, Sherman (BKS) Partners, an agency that works outside the box cultivating long-haul relationships and partnerships with regional and national insurance companies, to ensure the best possible experience for … Read more
Curated. If there’s one word you had to pick to describe the Black English Bookstore – curated would be it. Nestled in Tampa Heights the beautiful, independent bookstore is owned by Gwendolyn Henderson, Tampa City Councilwoman, along with her daughter, Ariel Amirah. Opened last December, Black English Bookstore caters to readers of Black-authored books of … Read more
On March 19, St. Petersburg College’s President Dr. Tonjua Williams launched a new podcast — “Standing in the Gap” — featuring thought leaders who foster positive change in education and beyond. In celebration of Women’s History Month, the first guest was Dr. Kanika Tomalin, president and chief executive officer of the Foundation for a Healthy … Read more
This International Women’s Day, the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida honored six Tampa Bay area women at its annual Women of Distinction Luncheon. “For more than 30 years, we’ve been honoring amazing, trailblazing women who set the standard for what our Girl Scouts really aim to achieve – in their lives, in their … Read more
Tampa Bay Business and Wealth held a Women of Influence panel discussion on the topic of estate planning, at Five Labs, in Tampa. Bridgette Bello, chief executive officer and publisher of TBBW, moderated the panel in front of a live audience. This transcript has been edited for length and brevity. Panelists Erica K. Smith Roodhouse, … Read more
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida have named six Tampa Bay women who will be honored at its annual Women of Distinction Luncheon on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2024, at Armature Works, in Tampa. The event, now in its 32nd year, attracts more than 600 business and community leader attendees each year. The 2024 … Read more
For Kristina Lavallee, life keeps getting sweeter. Founder and namesake of local dessert company, The Cake Girl, Lavallee’s rise to success is already a sweet tale. Well-known, around the Tampa Bay area, for her award-winning cake designs (like her infamous “GOAT” cake for Tom Brady’s “100th” birthday), she and Kirby, her husband and business partner, … Read more
Studio@620 has named Erica Sutherlin as the incoming artistic executive director, as a part of the planned transition for when founder Bob Devin Jones steps down from the role, in June of 2024. Jones has led the arts organization for 20 years. Sutherlin spent nine years teaching at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts, … Read more
It was the lamp with the frog that caught her attention, first, as Vanessa Bernard sat in the waiting room for her first oncology appointment. A frog picture awaited her, down the hallway, as she walked to the doctor’s office, and then, the entire week was filled with random frog sightings on television, on clothing, … Read more
Missy Hurley, a co-founder of the public relations agency B2 Communications, has acquired co-founder Kyle Parks’ shares of the company, becoming the sole owner and chief executive officer of the agency, based in St. Petersburg. Parks will move into a consultant role with the firm. “Kyle and I built a solid foundation for the agency … Read more
