Today we’d like to introduce you to Portia Richardson.
Hi Portia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
For as long as I can remember, I have been a visionary. As a little girl, I had visions of going to college, becoming the biggest attorney in DC, and creating a better life for my family. Growing up in Southeast DC and witnessing my mother’s strength as my father battled drug addiction and multiple incarcerations, I longed for better because I knew that it existed. I spent a small portion of my undergraduate experience in Beijing, China as an exchange student. This life-changing experience was paramount to misunderstanding the importance of cultural diversity, the growth that exists on the other side of our comfort zone, and the joy that comes with learning a new language!
I returned to the US with a new perspective and appreciation for a purpose-driven life. Although I thought I’d become the biggest attorney in DC, God had other plans. Instead, I taught for 10 years in DC Public, alternative, and charter middle and high schools, leading my students to excel in literacy and social studies. With most of my experience in the alternative education setting, I became a mother, mentor, and motivator to students who others had counted out. I was determined to plant seeds of hope and water their dreams and goals. Like plants, I would tell them to never set limits on themselves. The audacity of HOPE was always evident in my commitment to shifting the narrative! That very HOPE is why I founded Tumaini DC, Inc. in 2013 with a middle school classmate. We were frustrated with the statistics in our community and determined that we would shift the narrative by creating opportunities for youth and their families. Tumaini means “Hope” in Swahili. Eight years later, we have impacted over 100K+ students and families across the Washington, DC area and transforming communities and schools through culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and anti-racist social and emotional learning curricula and programming. Additionally, I launched Portia Richardson Consulting, LLC to assist aspiring and thriving social entrepreneurs and non-profit founders with executing their visions and expanding their impact through non-profit start-up courses, grant writing workshops, curriculum development masterclasses, one-to-one strategy sessions, and business set-up services.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has certainly had its highs and lows. I started doing youth development programming at 19 years old. I had no idea what I was doing, but what I knew for sure was that I wanted to make a difference. After completing my undergraduate studies, I watched several of my friends pursue career paths for various reasons. I chose purpose and God provided an abundance for my obedience and willingness to serve. As I continued on the path of purpose, I endured losses working in the most underserved communities in DC. I mourned the loss of over 30 students to gun violence, witnessed systemic oppression and injustices that cultivate negative outcomes for black and brown students, financial setbacks that are common in the non-profit world, and the burnout and stress that comes with youth development work. I am an empath, so I literally FEEL everything that those around me are going through. As a result, I am a huge advocate of Therapy, as it changed my life! I learned how to create healthy boundaries in this work, show up for myself as much as I do others, and recognize when it is time for a break. As a consultant and organizational leader, I train staff and aspiring social entrepreneurs to do the same. It is critical, especially as we navigate challenging times in our world.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Tumaini DC, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is committed to transforming communities and schools through culturally responsive, trauma-informed and anti-racist social and emotional learning curricula, programming, and experiences. The Tumaini Way is a comprehensive curriculum and program designed on the basis of mindfulness, brain-based learning, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family engagement, social justice, and builds upon the five core Collaborative for Social Emotional Learning (CASEL) competencies. We combine training, assessment, progress monitoring, and parent engagement to ensure a holistic approach to student success. To support our mission, partner with us, or learn more about our curriculum, please visit our website, www.tumainidc.org, or email portiarichardson@tumainidc.org.
Portia Richardson Consulting, LLC. is a boutique educational and nonprofit management consultancy that provides culturally responsive curriculum development, review, and training for schools and organizations. Additionally, we work with aspiring and thriving social entrepreneurs and non-profit founders to execute their vision through business setup support, management and operations training, board development training, grant writer training, educational curriculum and product development, and general non-profit management consulting. To inquire about our services and upcoming courses, please visit our website www.tumainidc.org, or email portiarichardson@tumainidc.org.
What makes you happy?
A few things that are sure to bring me happiness spending quality time with my family, seeing the growth and impact amongst those who God has assigned me to serve, festivals- I love good cultural experiences and food, and traveling- anyone who knows me knows that I am always down for a getaway and I do not mind 14-hour flights!
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@portiarichardson.com/portiarichardson@tumainidc.org
- Website: portiarichardson.com | tumainidc.org
- Instagram: @iamportiarichardson/@tumainidc
