Since late Spring 2020 Portia has been a vital part of the leadership team of the Campaign for Tobacco Free-Kids.  As VP of Strategic Partnerships, she leads the overall strategic direction on outreach and implementation in building, cultivating, and sustaining relationships with external partnerships with a particular emphasis on those disproportionately impacted by tobacco. 

Previously, she served as an integral member of the National Education Association's (NEA) Government Relations team as Federal Lobbyist where she represented the interest of the 3 million members and students that NEA serves. Her portfolio consisted of the major issues of health care, civil rights, women’s issues, housing, voting rights, criminal justice, and equity as well as, the liaison to the Congressional Black Caucus, the Hispanic Congressional Caucus and the Progressive Caucus.

In January 2017 Portia was asked to lead AARP’s Government Affairs Department as Interim Health and Family Director with a primary focus to develop the department's stakeholder outreach. In this role, she served as liaison and manager providing strategic guidance with various outside groups pertaining to AARP’s legislative agenda.

A graduate of the University of Baltimore Law School, Portia earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education at Oral Roberts University. She  the recipient of the Labor Leader of the Year Award by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and the Women of Achievement Award by the Brooklyn Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Portia loves music and solving puzzles. Portia currently resides in Silver Spring, MD with her husband Stanley and daughter Victoria.