Tanjarae Porter shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Tanjarae, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Who are you learning from right now?
That’s such a rich question, and I love it because I’m truly learning from a constellation of brilliant minds. Right now, for instance, I’m diving deep into Audria Richmond’s world aka the UnCloned® universe. Not just for branding and marketing expertise, but for the art of showing up boldly and authentically. She really emphasizes stepping into your full creative expression and owning your lane, which is something I’m weaving into my own journey.
In the realm of education consulting, Dr. Shenelle DuBose is my go-to. She’s teaching me how to blend strategic insight with a real heart for educators, which aligns so well with what I do with my own education consulting business.
When it comes to AI, Alicia Little is opening my eyes to the possibilities of integrating technology in a way that’s both innovative and accessible. And on the finance side, Dr. Zac Talley is helping me navigate the complexities of financial planning for entrepreneurs, making those big money moves feel a lot more manageable.
For spirituality and faith, I’m constantly inspired by Sarah Jakes Roberts, who brings so much wisdom and authenticity to the table. And Dr. Anita Phillips is showing me how to intertwine faith with mental health in a deeply meaningful way. And of course, I’m also learning from Brain P. Morgan, author of the ’12 Week Year’ which has been a game-changer for how I approach productivity and time management.
So, it’s really a tapestry of learning. Each person is helping me grow in different dimensions, and I love weaving all these insights into the work I do.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
“Absolutely! I’m Tanjarae Porter, and I’m the founder of two distinct but equally passionate ventures.
First, there’s Cultivated Connections Design & Consulting, or CCDC, which is all about serving K–12 educators, arts educators, teaching artists and school leaders. We specialize in helping them integrate arts and literacy into their classrooms in a culturally responsive way. At CCDC, we focus on everything from classroom activations to professional development that makes the arts a core part of learning.
Right now, we are really excited about building out a Resource Vault for educators. It’s going to be a hub full of ready-to-use lesson plans, toolkits, and culturally responsive strategies that teachers can grab and apply immediately in their classrooms.”
I also run Ivy Prints Design Studio, which is a totally separate brand focused on helping edupreneurs, consultants, and coaches craft their brand identities and digital strategies. While CCDC is all about transforming education from the inside, Ivy Prints is about empowering individual education professionals to shine in their own entrepreneurial journey by building brands that feel authentic, look professional, and connect deeply with the audiences they want to serve. It’s where we take all those creative sparks and turn them into marketing collateral like logos, websites, lead magnets, and marketing systems that give them the confidence to show up boldly and grow their impact.
On this side of things, we’re working on expanding our done-for-you packages—things like lead magnet creation, branded landing pages, and digital marketing systems. The goal is to make it simple for edupreneurs and consultants to go from idea to implementation without the overwhelm of figuring out all the tech and design pieces on their own.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Absolutely. So the piece of me that’s evolving is really that hands-on role I had for so many years in the traditional classroom setting. For over a thirteen years, I have worn a variety of hats: middle school non-fiction teacher, kindergarten teacher, dance educator, RTI coordinator, you name it. I have the utmost respect for educators who are still in those roles every day, doing that incredible work.
For me, it’s less about leaving that world behind and more about expanding how I can support and uplift those same educators from another angle. I still see myself as an educator through and through. It’s just that now, I’m stepping into a space where I can reach more classrooms, more teachers, and more students by sharing what I’ve learned on a larger scale.
And part of that evolution is helping other educators see themselves as the experts they truly are by empowering them to bring their own unique gifts and experiences into new arenas. So I’m not leaving the heart of teaching behind at all, I’m just evolving it into a new chapter where I can help others in the field shine even brighter, and where they can see their own expertise as a powerful tool to create wider impact.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
For a long time the biggest fear that held me back was this deep-seated feeling of not being enough. It really stemmed from some childhood experiences and for years it showed up in all kinds of ways, whether it was feeling like I wasn’t qualified enough in my career, or just doubting myself in relationships and friendships. It always had me asking, ‘Do I really belong here? Do I need one more credential or piece of proof that I’m allowed to step into this role?’ That fear definitely tried to keep me playing small, especially when I first started out on my entrepreneurial journey.
But about five years ago, I realized that this fear was really just a leftover story I was telling myself. And once I started to let it go, I found a whole new level of confidence. Now I help others see that they’re enough exactly as they are, and that their experiences and gifts are already powerful tools. It’s been freeing to step into that space and I hope it encourages others to know they can do the same.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely, I’d say the public version of me is very much the real me. What you see is pretty much what you get! I’m naturally a bit silly, definitely bubbly, and I’ve got a good splash of creativity and a little bit of that Memphis spice in there. I believe in showing up authentically, so the encouragement, the detail-oriented side, the little bit of sass, that’s all genuinely me. I think life’s too short not to be your real self, so I bring that same energy into everything I do, publicly or privately.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I’d love for my legacy to be a story of someone who brought resilience and joy into every corner of life. I hope people remember me as someone who showed up authentically, who wasn’t afraid to be a little bubbly or a little spicy, and who always led with a lot of love and empathy. I’d like them to say I was tenacious in the face of challenges, and that I left behind a legacy of light, creativity, and genuine care for others. Ultimately, I hope the story is one of someone who made others feel seen, supported, and inspired to be their own authentic selves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cultivatedconnections.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultivated.connections/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanjaraeporter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cultivated.Connections/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChXPS3lPj7mXjtU35ypMmtA
- Other: www.ivyprintsbytp.com
https://www.instagram.com/tanjaraeporter/
