About the Author: Donna Michelle Porter
The writing started where her life initiated at age three discovering the world, innocent and confident. She started playing guitar at 5 years old and singing at an early age. Then she taught herself to put in writing. Becoming a passionate vocalist, songwriter, and poetry became her objective early in life. She started writing poetry at age twelve. The passion to be heard became essential and necessity to write. Whether by choice or chance she wrote about everything concerning life. Influenced by Joni Mitchell and Maya Angelou she found solace. The expression became habit and then purpose. She found freedom because the paper did not control her desires. Expression, love and desire were free to move from page to page.
She is diverse in many skills, such as photography, theatre, fashion and music; just to name a few. Her diversities allowed her to make some of her dreams come true. She was able to work on one of the world largest stages in Reno with several legendary talents such as Michael Darrin and photographing Tony Bennett at Caesar’s Palace for the Las Vegas Weekly Magazine. Donna Michelle landed an opportunity to experience being a production stagehand as well as being an assistant; this enabled her to view both side of the producing spectrum. Also, during this time she came into many contacts that helped step into the world musicianship, then later became a DJ known as, Dauphine.
Donna Michelle Porter is a dynamic passionate African-American who is a visionary. Creating a sound that is millennium bound. She has the spirit of the dolphin and the voice of a mermaid, and has been acclaimed by many, as a modern day saint – Joan of Arc. A compassionate state worker, by day, a spoken word performer jazz singer by night; this Lady Diva was well known in the West Coast Coffee shops and Spoken word Clubs. Her combination of spoken word and musical collaborations, created a sultry sound of neo-soul, down tempo, and jazz music. Donna Michelle found her voice through the influences of Sade, Jill Scott, Esthero and Alicia Keys. Her spoken word demo was released in 2004.
Her life stays one part research and one part reference. Spending countless hours in the libraries, she discovered that she loved knowledge and justice. At one time in during this time she considered being a lawyer, but she could not handle college life. Staying political active and socially aware, she cast her voted for President Barack Obama in 2008. Yes we can!, became the national saying for her, and the principle that she believes is “Now is now” and the urgency of now were her saving grace.
Staying in the now and the present is the conclusion. To stay in the moment, to stay in motion and into the next moment are a perpetual motion of thought, reality and in personal poetry are her aspirations. In researching these beliefs for enlightenment, a life of harmony followed. Finding completion in a quest for peace and humanity her poetry shares an open heart and mind. She also recognized the need for children health care, early intervention, education and welfare services as a center focus and driving force in her existence. She worked tirelessly on the No Child Left Behind campaign. Until it was funded in 2009, many children had to wait for vital services.
She has a high-spirited vision that offers support of various charitable organization campaigns. The promotion of the children crusades for the protection of children's civil rights, and a world hunger campaign is another one of her goals. Offering additional support and assisting the Boys and Girl Clubs, the Boys and Girl Scouts, UNICEF and other children world organizations of the our communities is her emphasis. Directing humanities to aid the world in peace is the next aim in her timeless efforts. Bringing an awareness for ending racism and fostering peace is her motivation. Listening to Blue Six and Erykah Badu as the influence of Neo-soul was a driving force behind the new movements that we strive for this very day. A supporter of the Human Rights Campaign, she is a valued ally. Its how she was inspired to create God First Bookstore.
This led her to her foremost focus. Her books are inspired by love, passion and reason. Her book series “World peace started with us” informs and can builds self-esteem in a series of poems that tell the story of her life and experiences. These free-verse poems are expressed from 1985 to 2015. The full collection of her poetry is about politics, love, activism, and bold metaphors, disturbing imagery, comic relief and the inner self. Sometimes venting, sometimes ranting, and raving the poems are how these books took form.
Sometimes venting, sometimes ranting, and sometimes raving. This book takes you through three distinct styles; part inspirational, part personal feeling and part universal thought. This poetry is uncensored, uncorrupted and serious food for thought. Deep and meaningful the words capture more than her essence but share her voice.