Author: Shannon Sykes

The Voice of the Misunderstood

Shannon Sykes, September 2, 2025September 2, 2025

Understanding the barriers and stereotypes of people who may have supportive contributions, but are not always allowed to plant them due to social stigmas.

Feature

Dear Seasoned / Senior Lovers

Shannon Sykes, September 2, 2025September 2, 2025

You came for ideas. Strategies. Tactics. Maybe even some light stretching exercises. So pour a glass of prune juice (or something stronger—I’m not judging), prop your feet up (or your partner), and let’s dive into “How to Keep Your Sex Life Exciting After 60”, one laugh and wiggle at a time.

Stories

Champion for the Most Vulnerable: A Tribute to Kathy Smith, Public Defender

Shannon Sykes, September 2, 2025December 1, 2025

We all know everyone wants to get tough on crime and gives Amira Fox the State Attorney kudos for locking up the bad guys, but everyone should note that the defenseless need an advocate as well in the person of Kathy Smith.

Feature

Our Beloved Dunbar Community

Shannon Sykes, September 2, 2025September 2, 2025

Dunbar—is more than just a neighborhood. It is a living legacy of Black excellence, family, faith, and the kind of neighborly love that generations before us (i.e. Willie Battle, Willie Green, Gerri Ware,Veronica Shoemaker, etc.) worked tirelessly to preserve.

Stories

Why Human Coaching Still Matters in the Age of AI: 5 Benefits You can’t replace

Shannon Sykes, September 2, 2025September 2, 2025

In a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is woven into daily life, it is easy to rely on technology for answers. From typing questions into a search engine to engaging in conversations with AI-driven platforms, many people now turn first to technology for guidance in their personal and professional lives.

Columns

The State of the City

Shannon Sykes, September 2, 2025September 2, 2025

We’ve stood strong together to make tough decisions while keeping the values of this city intact through every setback and challenge. That’s what resilience looks like.

Lee County

Bridging the Gap Center for the Arts Launches Southwest Florida’s Premier Creative Hubfor BIPOC Artists

Shannon Sykes, September 2, 2025September 2, 2025

Bridging the Gap Center for the Arts (BTG ARTS) is proud to announce its launch and vision to become Southwest Florida’s premier creative arts center dedicated to empowering BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) artists.

Collier County

Collier County Commissioners’ 10 Commandment Vote Makes History

Shannon Sykes, August 30, 2025August 30, 2025

There are moments in the life of a community when decisions transcend the standard debates of policy and procedure and tap into the deeper roots of who we are—our identity, our values, and the moral compass that guides us. The Collier County Commission’s recent 4-1 vote to approve the display of the Ten Commandments—alongside the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Preamble to the Florida Constitution, and the Star-Spangled Banner—was one such moment. The Ten Commandments is right up there with hot dogs, Chevrolet, and apple pie as far as I can tell when you talk about being an American.

Columns