AROUND TOWN: UWBB GOLF CLASSIC

AROUND TOWN

Morning on the Greens Supports United Way of the Big Bend’s Mission of Crushing Poverty

On a beautiful May 16th morning, golf enthusiasts & supporters of United Way of the Big Bend gathered at the Southwood Golf Club for the 24th Annual Community Golf Classic to enjoy a round of golf and raise money for crushing poverty and helping those at the edge of poverty. Twenty teams and over eighty people battled it out on the fairway in good-natured competition all in the name of a very good cause.Caitlin Yancey Moore was awarded the prize for the “Closest to the Pin” putting contest, and Chris Adkison won the “Longest Drive” contest. The winning team with the net score based on their golf handicaps and representing the Leon County Sheriff’s Office was Lee O’Connor, Jason Glover, Eddie O’Neal, and Jack Powish.Accompanying the competition on the greens, United Way of the Big Bend with the help of their sponsors provided exciting silent auction items, and terrific raffles allowing everyone to share in the winning no matter their golf handicap. United Way of the Big Bend also partnered with Jerry’s Famous Cigar Shop selling locally branded cigars with proceeds donated to United Way of the Big Bend.With the 24th Annual Community Golf Classic now having successfully played out on the back nine, United Way of the Big Bend is looking forward to their 25th Annual Community Classic in the Spring of 2023 at the Southwood Golf Club. “Thank you to everyone who came out to support United Way of the Big Bend and for contributing to the event’s success! Your support impacts the work we do every day – helping our neighbors living in poverty or at the edge of poverty. A few of the ways we are making an impact are providing rental assistance in Housing; providing childcare tuition assistance in Early Learning; providing Health & Mental Health and Skills Development services, and providing for basic needs,” said Berneice Cox, President & CEO.

Erik Davis, Board Chair and Berneice Cox, President & CEO

Winning Team - Eddie O'Neal, Jack Powish

Team Tallahassee Woman Magazine on the green for the The United Way of Big Bend 24th Annual Community Golf Classic

What an incredible day supporting United Way of the Big Bend at the 24th Annual Community Golf Classic! We are happy to be a sponsor and put together the only all female team for the 2nd year! & Thank you to Berneice Cox, Erik Davis & Alaina Gilpin for your incredible work in our community!

Quia Atkinson, Dr. Michelle Mitcham, Marcia Warfel and Caitlin Yancey Moore Marcia Warfel, Quia Atkinson, Caitlin Yancey Moore and Dr. Michelle Mitcham

THE QUEEN OF SMILES

Dr. Kanesha Cole

By Laci Swann | Photography By Kira DerryBerry

When our paths cross with a brilliant, lovely person, someone with a kind heart and refreshingly gentle spirit, we often assume they face fewer obstacles due to their peaceful, beautiful nature. The truth is their inner and outer beauty are reflections of their heart and strength to overcome some of life’s hardest challenges, challenges they were never exempt from enduring.

At 15 years old, after suffering from extremely painful menstrual cycles since 12, Dr. Kanesha Scott Cole began facing two of her most difficult health struggles, as she was diagnosed with endometriosis and fibroids at the age of 19, which became two of her biggest physical and emotional struggles. With the debilitating physical pain she endured combined with the news she may never have children, Dr. Cole’s physical battle became emotional and trickled into her relationships with others and the most important human relationship of all—the relationship with herself.

“Upon my diagnosis, I began experiencing image issues,” Dr. Cole explained. “When I was told I would never have children, I started questioning my womanhood. It felt awful. That’s an understatement, really. The pain was so heavy.”

Although she was learning to live with her diagnosis, that did not stop her mind from wandering through a downward spiral, a spiral that many women have traveled regarding their futures yet often do not discuss.

“My mind immediately led me to think the worst. I did not want to be in a serious relationship,” Dr. Cole revealed. “I figured what man would want to marry a woman who couldn’t have children? What I didn’t realize, though, was that there was purpose in my pain, something that I would recognize years later. My journey wasn’t over. It was just beginning.”

In addition to struggling emotionally and physically to manage her diagnosis, Dr. Cole faced body image problems. Sadly, this began before her diagnosis. As a child, she was told she was overweight. From strangers to peers at school, their cruel, unsolicited words did not fall on deaf ears. Instead, she began looking in the mirror and believing their words.

“Looking back, I wasn’t overweight,” Dr. Cole reflects with a slight chuckle. “But their words stuck in my head, and it took years upon years to change my way of thinking.”

Words hold power, the power to uplift or deflate. And as Dr. Cole journeyed into womanhood, her mind began to shift dramatically, acknowledging the fact that her words hold power, too. This time around, she looked in the mirror and started training herself to see herself the way God sees her. Accepting the fact that everyone has differences, Dr. Cole chose to see her differences as

God’s intentionality.

“I came into my own,” she shares with a confident smile, “but the truth is, I didn’t come into my own until I turned 40, and in talking with other women, I’ve learned that 40 seems to be a strong turning point in many lives.”

Dr. Cole’s admission is something women commonly experience—that walking into your 30s, 40s, and 50s just might be the first time a woman feels true confidence and contentment with self. “Today, I not only acknowledge my roles and titles, but I allow myself to honor my strengths, too. I am a woman. I am smart and hardworking. I’m a mother, leader, healer, and teacher. I am so many things to so many people, including myself.”

The happy ending and profound growth did not stop there, though.

Despite Dr. Cole’s teenage concerns about one day getting married and having a family of her own, she, indeed, met her happily after ever. Married at 30 years old, Dr. Cole and her husband began the journey to seeing several doctors, which also led to several surgeries for Kanesha, including the removal of fibroids. Conceiving a child of their own did not seem possible, so the couple contemplated adoption. But before fully immersing in the adoption process, the unthinkable (or so she thought) happened— Dr. Cole discovered she was pregnant.

Not only did she discover she was pregnant, but she learned she was pregnant with twins.

“There’s beauty in it all,” Dr. Cole smiles. “Yes, I conceived two beautiful miracles, but if I didn’t have twins, I truly believe I would have realized that beauty was always around me, including finding someone to love me despite my physical struggles and learning that I was strong through it all.”

Life, though, has an interesting way of coming full circle, sometimes a few times. During her pregnancy, before she turned 40, Dr. Cole had gained quite a bit of weight. Unlike years past, the number on the scale was hardly her concern. This time around, she was pregnant, healthy, and happy, and she had every intention of enjoying her pregnancy, which meant enjoying lots of French fries and chicken tenders. After giving birth, her post-partum journey was more about enjoying every moment with her children and less about the pressure-induced “snapback” culture. However, in 2017, her three-year-old daughter innocently approached her and asked, “Mommy, are you fat?”

“That question stung,” Dr. Cole admitted, “But that day, I looked in the mirror and told myself I need to be healthy, not only for myself but for my children. I wanted to be a good example for them.”

This realization led to a complete lifestyle transformation, resulting in an incredible 140-pound weight loss. Dr. Cole lives a low-carb lifestyle, something she loves talking about with others and sharing her experiences and insight.

Her weight loss, though, was so much more profound than a smaller number on a scale. Her weight loss journey is a true testament to her level of self-love and willingness not to quit. She put her mind to creating healthier habits, and she followed through until her habits became a lifestyle. With experience comes wisdom, and Dr. Cole walks in the confidence of a woman who has traveled many roads.

“There’s power in growing older,” Dr. Cole confidently shares. “I’ve tapped into my inner self and figured out who I actually was, what I like, and what I don’t like. From my parenting style to how I operate in the workplace to my personal decisions, I stopped allowing myself to be influenced by anyone else. I stand in my truth and do not let anybody put their opinions on me. It’s a miserable life when you’re consistently living for others. I had to find the joy within me and let that light shine. And it carried over into my career and every aspect of my life. I feel like I’m a better (MOTHER AND) doctor, just better all around.”

Whatever God gave you in this life, it was given to you with intention”

Dr. Cole has been practicing dentistry for over 14 years ago and upon graduating from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, Dr. Cole eventually found her way back to Tallahassee, in 2014, and the rest is history.

Now, with people-pleasing ways behind her, long gone in her rearview mirror, Dr. Cole welcomes every opportunity to water herself in a way that facilitates ongoing growth, which has trickled into the growth of her children.

Upon noticing her son’s shy nature and not looking people in the eye, Dr. Cole and her husband started asking questions to uncover why their son was crawling into his shell at such a young age.

“I refused to let my child go down the same path that I went down,” Dr. Cole states. “My shyness was because of others’ hurtful remarks, and I wanted to be sure that my son wasn’t experiencing the same. So, we turned this into a positive thing, a teachable moment.”

Dr. Cole uncovered that her son was selfconscious about a mark on his forehead. He was born with this mark, a mark that they learned could be cancerous which led to surgery. Because of his scar, someone told him he looked like a monster, a comment

that could easily hurt a child to their core.

“My husband and I kiss his scar every day, and we tell him that his scar is his superpower. We affirm him, letting him know he is handsome and no one else has this scar, which makes him special and unique.”

Today, their son proudly lets people know about his superpower, no longer shying away from others or being his authentic self.

“It’s all about staying positive,” Dr. Cole avows. “Whatever God gave you in this life, it was given to you with intention. Choose to live it and embrace it. Celebrate yourself!”

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