March 19, 2025

Tallahassee Celebrates Trailblazer Carla Marie Reid

News Summary

Tallahassee honors Carla Marie Reid, founder of the Black Dog Café, as she enters retirement after nearly 30 years of service to the community. Recognized with the Trailblazer Award during Women’s History Month, Reid’s legacy of resilience, commitment, and community connection inspires future generations. Her café is celebrated as a gathering spot that fosters connections and memories, leaving a lasting impact on the local landscape.

Tallahassee Celebrates a Local Trailblazer: Carla Marie Reid

Tallahassee has always been a city that thrives on community and connection, and few have captured that spirit as beautifully as Carla Marie Reid, the longtime queen of the Black Dog Café. After a remarkable career that spanned nearly three decades, Reid has recently stepped into retirement, but not before leaving an indelible mark on the local community.

A Café with Heart and Soul

For those who have roamed the shaded paths surrounding Lake Ella, the Black Dog Café stands as a true testament to what local businesses can achieve. Sung into life by Reid almost 30 years ago, the café is cherished by many as not just the longest-standing independent coffee shop in Tallahassee but a beloved gathering spot that draws in coffee lovers and friends alike.

Reid maneuvered through the chaos of life as a single mother raising two children while simultaneously juggling the responsibilities of running a thriving café, completing a doctoral dissertation, and teaching. It’s this dedication that truly sets her apart as a hometown hero. Balancing work-life is no easy feat, but Reid made it look effortless for all those years.

Your Local Connection

Friends and family describe the café as a place for connection and community. Reid’s vision extended beyond mere coffee; it was about building a warm environment where people felt safe to connect, reflect, and create memories. Many patrons and local residents remember their first latte or the many conversations they had over a slice of homemade pie at the café.

Recognition as a Trailblazer

Women’s History Month, Reid has been honored with the prestigious Trailblazer Award from the Oasis Center for Women and Girls. This annual recognition highlights women who have significantly contributed to the fabric of Tallahassee and its surrounding areas. Reid shares this honor with a talented group of women and girls who have significantly impacted the community, underlining the importance of collective effort in paving the way for future generations.

Inspiring Generations

Reid’s journey is not just about business but about resilience and inspiration. She attributes much of her strength to her own mother, a true trailblazer herself, who left her tight-knit rural hometown as a single parent and worked diligently to earn her college degree while raising her daughter. This generational legacy of strength and determination has shaped Reid’s values and fueled her ambitions.

Words of Wisdom for Future Generations

Reid’s advice for future trailblazers? It’s simple yet profound: “Follow your heart, believe in yourself, and know that you got this.” These words echo the sentiments of those who have watched her grow and excel over the years. They serve not just as reminders to women everywhere looking to leave their mark but also as a strong call to arms for community support and resilience.

What’s Next for Tallahassee?

As Reid embraces this new chapter of her life, the café will undoubtedly continue to flourish, remaining a cherished part of Tallahassee’s community landscape. The legacy she built will carry on in the smiles of her customers, the laughter shared among friends, and the echo of her presence in every cup served. Tallahassee owes much to Carla Marie Reid, and her story is a shining example of what it means to be a true trailblazer.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER

The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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