This photo of me was taken by Jim Harris for the Pittsburgh Business Times for their 2021 Women of Influence Awards. These awards honor the region’s most influential business women at for-profit companies, nonprofits and government entities. I am blessed and honored to say I was among the 26 awardees that were celebrated on the night of October 6, 2021, where more than 300 people gathered at the Westin Convention Center Hotel
Instead of a speech, each woman was encouraged to pick a song to represent them as they walked up to the podium to receive their award. My song was “Just Fine” by Mary J. Blige. I love everything about that song! Especially how good it makes you feel.
If I could have said a few words though, I would have thanked not only the Pittsburgh Business Times but also Stephen Gongaware, Sr. VP, Business Development at Management Science Associates, Inc., who nominated me for this award. I’d also thank the two men who push me to strive for excellence in life and in business – my supportive husband David C. Porcher and Craig Dawson, Soul Pitt’s VP of Sales & Marketing. Additionally, I would thank our team, all the advertisers, and Soul Pitt fans that believe in what we do.
But most importantly, I would have thanked the two people who are no longer here – my mother and father. They gave me the money to pay the printer to get Soul Pitt Quarterly magazine started. Many times, I have wanted to give up, but it’s moments like this that encourage me to keep going because I know I have a couple of angels up in heaven rooting for me “us” to win.
Donna Baxter Porcher is the Founder & CEO of Soul Pitt Media, a community website & print magazine based in Pittsburgh PA. This former rap artist turned tech diva helps women over 40 who feel lost online get their groove back in their business so they can truly shine!