Meet Toriano Porter | Author. Speaker. Mentor. Journalist. Father.

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

Hi Toriano, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
At some point over the last seven to eight years, I removed anger from my parental toolbox. My parenting style is more rooted in patience and compassion snd understanding more so than aggression or ridicule.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When I say keep your head down, do the work and trust the process, this is what I mean. In 1992, I was a scrawny freshman at the University of Central Missouri. I was 18, on a full-ride football scholarship and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with myself. My girl was pregnant with my first child, I was homesick and the football coaches decided to redshirt me, meaning I could practice every day but not play in the games. I was devastated. I took it out on myself. I’ll show them, I said. I ain’t going to class. My silly self lost that scholly real quick. One year later, I flunked out. Eventually, I went back, but during this time, I told myself three things: I am going to the NFL; if not, I will be a famous writer in Hollywood; and if all else fails, I could always be a newspaper reporter lol. Real talk. I had a back-up plan to the back-up plan. Obviously, I didn’t make it to the League, and I have never set foot in Tinsel Town. I majored in journalism and creative writing was my minor. I set two simple goals with that: write a book and work for a major daily newspaper somewhere in America but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and The Kansas City Star were my top choices. No lie. I was 18. I wrote my first book at 34! It took 16 years to realize that dream. When I was hired as a breaking news reporter at the Star in 2016, it was my first job at a major daily. I was 42 years old. Do you understand what I am saying? I am #unbreakable. And oh, by the way, for the second time this year, I was a finalist for a national opinion writing award.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first stop in the ATL is always Spondivits in College Park. Waffle House, of course. We have to hit the cheesesteak spot on MLK close to the colleges. Fire! I also love Del Frisco’s near Lenox Square Mall, which is also a must-stop. Ball to you fall, they say. Lastly, the Trap Music Museum.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Best-selling author Minda Harts once said: Success is not a solo sport. She was spot on. There are not enough characters and space to shout out everyone that has inspired or encouraged me to strive for greatness. The real ones know who they are. I am thankful for everyone that I have come across in my nearly five decades on this Earth. And that is the truth.

Website: www.torianoporter.com

Instagram: @torianoporter

Linkedin: @torianoporter

Twitter: @torianoporter

Facebook: @torianoporter

Youtube: @torianoporter