It took me a long time to give myself permission to share my space with men. My mind, my heart, my spirit, and my time had all been things that I had previously been extremely protective of and for good reason. Growing up I had witnessed many women be treated underwhelmingly less than a woman deserved. Downloading those memories to my memory bank, I always promised to myself since I was a small girl, that I’d never create circumstances for myself that fostered familiar pains like the kinds I had seen the women around me deal with. Therefore, I decided I’d just wait long enough; wait until I was mature enough, and keep my standards, regarding men, very rigid to bypass ever being hurt or disappointed.

Somolia Pumphrey, writer for The Odyssey Online, interviewed Lanisha Porter earlier this July in a tell-all sit down. Porter responded candidly to questions illustrating clearly for us who she is, what she is about, her goals, the ways in which she is different, but most importantly how she's really just the girl from down the street. The now-college student, who aspires to be a supermogul, is a name worth remembering in the coming years.


Here, the full interview.








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​Who is Lanisha Porter?
This is such a loaded question. Let’s see. Lanisha Porter is a 21 year-old who started from humble beginnings in Louisville's Westend, but looks forward to an exciting end. I identify myself as an ambassador for empowerment, simply. I am an individual who is an author, a speaker, a mentor, a feminist, a Christian, a global citizen, a student, a teacher, a daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. I am very compassionate yet firm, ambitious and intelligent, and am a person who is very principled. I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty when it comes to my work; I’m very serious and business-oriented. However, I do like to have fun and seize the moment when I’ve earned it. I’m also philosophical and am aware that my life will expire, so I’m always thinking of the best and most fulfilling ways to lead my life.