We had the good fortune of connecting with Portia Shepherd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Portia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started the show to inform the people. One of the many problems in our community is lack of communication between the public official and the people in which they serve. I believed it was important that ALL voices be heard. Not only heard, but understood. There was one thing I wanted to create an outlet for the people in the Blackbelt of Alabama. On May 17, 2016, after attending a city council meeting in Greensboro, Alabama, “Portia Takes on the Blackbelt” was born. I attended the meeting and thought someone should be covering it, outside of local weekly newspapers, there is NO visual coverage or commentary of what happens in the Blackbelt, from the people’s perspective.

My thoughts was simple, give the people an opportunity to speak and from listening come up with SOLUTIONS, its easy to identify a problem but what about the solutions, and my show and the spin-off The blackbelt experience is doing just what we want, to inform the people and make change in a forgotten region!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an advocate all the time whether its leading Blackbelt Women Rising which is a Gender and Environmental justice organization, or speaking on behalf of Family Service Center of North Alabama informing the public of the services we provide. I am also an educator at Selma High School (shoutout to the History Department). I can’t say enough about the importance of information and providing the community with SERVICE.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shouout my dear mama, despite all my flaws she loves her babygirl and for that I am extremely grateful!

Website: www.blackbeltwomenrising.org

Facebook: Portia Takes on the Blackbelt and Beyond

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