Today we’d like to introduce you to Portia Tharpe.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Im not a Nashville native, but i have been here 21 years. Came to Nashville to go to the BEST HBCU there is, Tennessee State University, and I never left, lol I graduated with a degreee is Cardiopulmonary Health Science, got my first job at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, and decided that would be my beginning and end….little did i know my plan wasn’t God’s Plan ( before Drake lol). I started with a tshirt business called Honest T’s, ventured into hosting black business expos and giving small black owned businesses a platform to sell their products, which was essential during COVID. Stopped doing that and created a social group, primarily facebook based, called BeSocial Nashville, where the primary focus is still the Black community, supporting local Black owned and Black friendly spaces/businesses, to now starting an initiative called The Welcome Committee. The Welcome Committee looks to welcome new residents into Nashville and link them with the culture in the city, by providing monthly meetups and information about cultural spaces such as nightlife, restuaraunts, businesses, etc. So basically, I CREATE EXPERIENCES FOR THE CULTURE TO SUPPORT AND POUR BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY..in fun ways!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
it has definitely not been a smooth road. There has been a lot to learn, a lot of changes and sacrifices have been made as well. BUT, despite of I AM BLESSED! The struggles i thought were so bad in the beginning, being, marketing, exposure, connecting with influential people in the city, getting past peoples perception of what you are offering to the city, etc, all became things that i found only took me taking the steps toward acheiving it to have it. Im still not where i want to be, but i am a lot further than I was and THAT, means success has been acheived!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In my Career, my goal is to make each patient I come across feel like family. I know my purpose on this earth is to serve, so it was no shock that I sought to be a medical professional. This attitude translates into how i feel about community as well. It has been a passion to serve. Be that hosting a pop up shop, making tshisrts so a small business can wear their brand, helping two familes a month with the BeSocial Cares donation drives, or linking them to people that feel like home in a new place via The Welcome Committee. All of it works together to make me who I am and what I am known for ultimately…helping people. I am most proud of knowing that with my help be that medically or community, someone feels joy. That for me is joy. Id like to think this sets me apart. I genuinely have concern and love for people and will help anyone i can without ill intent or seeking reward. Me being able to say this here, speaks to that. People notice you when youre doing good or bad, but taking the time to speak on the good is rare, im grateful for the opportunity.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
apps that help me, the IAM app gives me daily affirmations, i like to listen to audio books and podcasts at work..lol. The 48 Laws of power and The power of the subconcious mind are 2 books i think everyone should read and certainly helped me. Also having a spiritual guide of some sort…shout out to my Infinity Fellowship family.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/portia.cerese
