Name: Adrion Porter
Age: 44
Profession: Brand Builder, Marketer, Podcast host of Gen X Amplified.
One Word That Describes You: Passionate
What does being one of the BEMM 100 Men of Distinction mean to you?
My love for the Black Enterprise brand and the value it delivers has been solidified since the very beginning of my professional career. Therefore, to receive the esteemed honor of being selected as a BE Modern Man of Distinction is without question, a humbling and appreciative chapter in my life.
What are some examples of how you turned struggle into success?
When, a few years back, I was laid off from Turner Broadcasting, I wasn’t sure how we were going to move forward financially. But, I quickly looked at ways to turn that trial into triumph. I took inventory of all the professional and life experiences that I’ve attained, coupled with my passions, and decided to become a brand development and marketing consultant. That allowed me to utilize my expertise and journey to help others succeed and define the greatness in their own story.
What is an important quality you look for in your relationships with others?
A genuine spirit and willingness to provide value to others.
What are some immediate projects you are working on?
Right now I’m focused on helping organizations and individuals build their brand and tell their story across new media platforms. I am also the founder and host of a personal development podcast called Gen X Amplified – a show dedicated to empowering the generation between the boomers and millennials to maximize their impact as leaders in business and life.
What is the best advice you ever received?
Be true to yourself and tap into your unique experiences, expertise, and gifts.
What is some advice you have for other men who want to make a difference?
I actually have three pieces of advice:
- Make sure that you have your priorities in order. For example, I am a man of faith, so I strive to keep God first in my life before anything else. After that is my family, especially my lovely wife, Tracy, and my two wonderful children, Kameron and Kaelyn. Just like the tires on your car, when your priorities are aligned, you can have confidence that your travels on the road to success will be much smoother ride.
- Have acute clarity on your purpose and be able to define your WHY. Why do you exist? Why do you get up every morning? Why should people believe in your story? Once you understand what God’s plan is for you, then the level of impact you can make on this world is limitless.
- And finally, you must have some P.E.P. in your step. An acronym that I came up with, P.E.P. stands for preparation, execution, and patience. I strongly feel that in order for us to successfully achieve our goals, we must first prepare in advance and put the work in. Then, it’s important to take massive action and execute. Lastly, we must pause and be patient to see the fruits of our labor manifest into meaningful results.
How do you prep for an important business meeting and/or event?
Well first, I would say a quick prayer. After that, I may scroll to my “motivational music” playlist on my iPhone and get pumped up with some of my favorite tunes. That may include hip-hop, gospel, R&B, rock, you name it. Hey…even the “Theme from Rocky” is in there!
As a busy Modern Man, how do you unwind on vacation?
I absolutely LOVE traveling on vacation. They are definitely necessities to recharge and refresh. Unfortunately, I haven’t taken full advantage of quality vacations in the past year or so. But, plans are in place for my family and I to spend some quality vacation time in the very near future. My best vacation would probably be when my wife and I went on our honeymoon to Hawaii. We stayed for 11 days across three islands—Oahu, Kauai, and Maui—and it was truly a magical experience.
If you could travel and stay anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Wow—there are so many places I would love to go! If I had to pick one, it would be Fiji. I’ve heard many great things the islands and its lush scenery. It’s definitely on my bucket list.
Anything else you’d like to say?
Live life to the fullest and cherish every moment you have with your loved ones. Within the past couple of years, I have unfortunately lost three people that were dear to my heart: my grandfather, my grandmother, and—very recently—my best friend Frank Robinson. Those moments, especially the unexpected passing of Frank, made me realize that life is too short to waste time on unproductive thinking and behavior. It’s important for all of us to cultivate and nurture the precious relationships we have. Remember—we only get one shot at this thing called life. So live, learn, and love.
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