Lawana Porter

The words devoted wife, sister, aunt, friend and mommy to her Schnauzer, Diamond, perfectly describe Lawana Porter. Born Lawana Harrell in Dallas, Texas on June 18, 1952, the middle daughter of three children, to parents Curtis and Forest Harrell, she was literally and figuratively the family communicator, peacemaker, and kindness initiator. Those characteristics followed Lawana to Dallas’ Lincoln High School where she was a friend to many, a contestant in the 1970 Miss Lincoln pageant, and a member of Upward Bound. Lawana received her Bachelor’s from Southern Methodist University and her Master’s from University of North Texas.

In the early 90s, Lawana met and married the love of her life, Arthur Porter. On October 15, 2022, they would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Family time was definitely a favorite in the Porter household. Lawana and Arthur enjoyed hosting family members and close friends in their home for birthdays, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday meals celebrating faith, family, and community.

They joined St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church and were nurtured in their faith by Pastor Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. and Pastor John Tatum. Lawana was an active participant in the Media, Prayer, and Mental Health Ministries. As a profound advocate for mental health, even with the Dallas Southern Sector Affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), she used her communication skills to assess the mental health needs and to develop plans to communicate more effectively within the St. Luke and Southern Dallas communities.

Lawana was an avid reader, gifted communicator, and creative writer. When she began her communications career in the late 70s with WFAA-TV and KRLD Radio, she became a founding member of the Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Communicators. Several years later, Lawana’s desire to help young people create their dream journeys landed her with the Dallas Independent School District. She retired from DISD in 2021 after having served 30+ years. Following several years supporting students and families as a Learning Center Community Liaison, Lawana joined the district’s Communications Department and furthered her career of service benefitting all students, staff and families. She held several roles in the department from managing public relations for the Bond Program to managing internal communications and volunteer and partnership groups. Lawana was a talented editor who was often responsible for producing major speeches, editorials, and papers for district leaders. Most of all, Lawana was a mentor and a guide to her colleagues. She was known for making profiles and narratives better through her keen eye for storytelling and editing, as well as for giving sage professional advice to those who needed it. Her colleagues remember her for her kindness and grace and for her commitment to equity and excellence in education.

Lawana LOVED learning new things! She was well-known for ALWAYS enrolling in a class to learn something new. Seeking to become a more effective leader and communicator, she joined Toastmasters. Lawana blessed her two Toastmasters clubs with a soulful smile and infectious joy. She greeted all with a downhome friendliness like all were family. Perhaps this is why she never met a stranger within her clubs. She was the cheerleader for all and motivated many to join and helped them progress through their own Toastmaster’s journeys. Lawana also dazzled all with eloquent speeches and grammar etiquette as she personified a soothing southern sophistication. She took on challenges that not only provided self-improvement but also helped to develop the skills of her club members. She served in multiple roles as a Toastmaster, VP of Public Relations, Club President, and District 50’s Public Relations Manager in the 2020-2021 Toastmasters year. Lawana made a positive impact by ensuring that things were left better than they were before her involvement. District 50 Toastmasters has acknowledged Lawana Porter with The Heart of District 50 Award which recognizes a member who goes above and beyond to support the District and its programs.

Lawana believed in and emitted kindness in every space that she occupied. Her final article, published by Sisters from AARP on May 26, 2022, was titled, Heart-Centered Acts Keep Us Healthy and Happy. She asks, “as the world searches for solutions to global problems, could it be that making the world a better place for us all is as simple as learning to show kindness to ourselves and others?” In a quote from playwright Alice Childress, Lawana reminded us that “life is just a short walk from the cradle to the grave, and it sure behooves us to be kind to one another along the way.”

Predeceased by her parents and grandparents, she leaves to cherish her legacy her husband, Arthur Porter; brother, Haven M. Harrell; sister, Sherril Harrell English; brother-in-law, Charles English; nephew, Brent M. English (Marlena); niece, Britney N. English, great niece, Forest Alberta English; and a host of other cousins, relatives, and friends who will miss her dearly.