Mia Porter has got big plans after graduation in May. The senior, who has complemented her major in Africana Studies with minors in sociology, management, and communications, is embarking on a career in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consulting.
Porter’s experience at the University of Miami helped create and inspire the career trajectory she envisions for herself. The Atlanta native was the only student in her class of over 2,000 students that declared a major in Africana Studies. With an originally declared minor in political science, other academic subjects came calling during her academic journey.
"I found that I really liked sociology and learning about the function of social systems," Porter said. After switching her minor to sociology, her focus changed considerably. She joined Orange Umbrella, a full-service, student-run consultancy firm, where she started in the human resources department. While there, she recalls seeing the organization's need for DEI experts.
"I pointed out a lack of attention to DEI issues and proposed strategies and solutions to the professor in charge of the program," said Porter. Her proposal spurred the creation of Orange Umbrella's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Department, also known as Beyond the Umbrella.
Like the rest of Orange Umbrella, the new department works with external clients, offering students meaningful work experience in exchange for credit towards the communications minor.
As the current Director of DEIB, Porter's role has become more internally focused. With two other students under her supervision, the senior is largely tasked with the creation and distribution of DEIB-informed toolkits to external clients and other interested parties.
This role is fitting, considering Porter's next step: making the leap from the University to the corporate world. She has interned at several different organizations across the country—most recently at TikTok—gaining valuable hands-on work experience and mentorship along the way.
Along with her responsibilities at Orange Umbrella, Porter is a Leonardo Da Vinci Scholar in the College of Arts & Sciences, a Panda Cares Scholar with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Alpha Kappa Delta, a Talent & Culture Intern with GMMB, the president of the University’s section of The National Council of Negro Women, Inc., project lead and consultant at the Launch Pad on the Coral Gables Campus, and editor for Gravity magazine.
“Choosing the University of Miami was incredibly easy for me,” adds Porter. “During my visits, there was a major emphasis on inclusion and belonging that I didn’t see at other universities. Also, I wanted to be in a city where I could give back to communities that I wanted to learn about and that looked like me. Finally, I went to boarding school for high school in Connecticut, so being closer to home and in the warm weather was a bonus.”
While the senior would like to move back to Atlanta for work, she is currently open to moving to wherever she finds an opportunity that is a good fit for her. Her goal is to start her own DEI consulting firm to help companies implement policies that spur inclusion.
"Allyship is not one singular moment or action, it is a continuous and intentional effort to learn and implement real-life skills that will change the world. I like to educate others and spread knowledge," Porter said. "It is important for people to feel as if they belong in their workplaces because at the end of the day, it reflects in the products a company produces."
