Cassandra A. Porter
Cassandra A. Porter is from Houston, Texas and currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband of 18 years, Jeffery Porter. They have two daughters, Lauren Elizabeth and Lindsey Elaine, and her Mom, Loretta rounds out their multigenerational home. Cassandra is active in her church, sorority & alumni association of her beloved alma mater, Tennessee State University. She is an ever-present Mom at all of her daughters’ activities including choir, track, and soccer.
Cassandra is now an entrepreneur after serving for many years in the child welfare arena. She is a racial equity practitioner and Founder of Favorite Part of My Day, LLC. because she has a passion for educating and providing language to complex systemic issues. She brings a sense of humor and a personal connection to many difficult topics.
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I AM THAT ONE BLACK FRIEND: LESSONS FROM A MAGICAL UNICORN
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2021 FINALIST IN THE BOOK EXCELLENCE AWARDS - MULTICULTURAL NON-FICTION
2021 MAINCREST MEDIA AWARD WINNER - MULTURALCULTURAL NONFICTION
2021 AMERICAN BOOKFEST BEST BOOK AWARDS FINALIST - MULTICULTURAL NONFICTION
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In June 2020, when the world saw the unrest in America because of centuries of systemic racism, my phone/inbox/email account started to blow up. I began to evaluate why I was the object of these requests. I realized that I am the “magical unicorn”. I am that one black friend they feel comfortable asking these things. I even began to wonder whether those asking me these questions, knew the experiences that caused me to be able to respond without offending, with compassion, and with specific examples. My ability to respond to questions that just happened to occur to you, is a result of my lived experiences over the past 46 years. My ability to smile as you comment with surprise about my responses, “Oh wow, you answered that so well,” or “You were so kind in your response,” is a fine-tuned skill – that of a magical unicorn. It takes skill to explain oppression, that was in fact perpetrated by you (as in a collective “you”) without causing you (as an individual) to feel bad about said oppression. I hope the lessons I share will help move the racial equity conversation in a positive direction, because, I am that one black friend, sharing lessons from a magical unicorn.
INTRODUCING THE NEW FACILITATED WORKBOOK
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I AM THAT ONE BLACK FRIEND: LESSONS FROM A MAGICAL UNICORN - Facilitated Workbook
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As a result of the need generated from the book, I AM THAT ONE BLACK FRIEND, this facilitated workbook was created to build on those concepts and lessons. It provides structure to the activities and conversations that need to occur and the intention is to take time to dive deep into concepts that are complex. With the facilitated workbook, participants can leave with action items as they move their lives, their families and their work environments in a more anti-racist direction.