Meet Trailblazer Portia King

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My experience in broadcast media actually began while I was in high school. During my senior year at King College Prep, a friend and I decided to do the morning announcements over the intercom. Now, I know this might sound typical, but it wasn’t. We literally turned the entire school broadcast into a mini-morning show. We played music, hosted contests, and read the announcements as radio personalities. That was my first taste doing broadcast and production.

After receiving my bachelor’s in Communication-Mass Media from the University of Missouri-Columbia, I moved back to Chicago and began a career in public relations, where I learned the ins and outs of working with media and story development. Simultaneously, I landed a position as a freelance producer and writer for Revolt TV. Through this opportunity, I worked in the field covering various events across Chicago, sharpening my skills as an interviewer, producer, and writer. From concerts to listening parties, and music festivals to movie premieres, I was able to work with some of the dopest talent and icons from across the nation and around the world! Our team even had the opportunity to produce a documentary.

Fast forward – At the beginning of this year, I released my website, PortiaKing.com, as a space to house all my published work. In April, I dropped my first original content series, Maven Muse. As the executive producer and host of the series, I sit down with various influencers, artists, and musicians for a humble and insightful conversation about their journey and perspective. The series has featured talents such as Keke Palmer, Trae Tha Truth, the cast of FX’s Snowfall, Joe Fresh Goods, and Toni Romiti.

I am also a co-host of The Three Piece, a morning podcast on Mild Sauce Radio.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Great things never come easy and some things don’t go as planned. Yes, I’ve felt defeated. Yes, I’ve sacrificed, but never have I ever given up. Some of the struggles I have faced include balancing finances and managing a full-time job. But what I’ve come to learn is that where there is struggle, there is strength. So, I chuck everything up to experience. Every loss is a lesson and some mistakes are blessings.

My biggest piece of advice to young women who are just starting their journey is to know your worth and never allow anyone to shrink your vision. I feel that often times as women, we tend to be too polite and too considerate when it comes to business and relationships – Not that there’s anything wrong with that – but when it comes to budgets and respect, always have a bottom line that is non-negotiable and well-enforced.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a true media enthusiast. I specialize in everything from hosting and producing to moderating panels and content development. One of the things I pride most about my work with Maven Muse is the content. I love creating a comfortable environment and crafting enticing questions for engaging and thoughtful conversations. Because of this, I’ve had the opportunity to work with outlets and brands such as Bumble, Revolt TV, Twitter, Mild Sauce News/Radio, and Color Me TV.

What sets me apart is my broad perspective towards everything. From being a product of Chicago’s southside Chatham neighborhood to exploring cities across the globe, I’ve witnessed some of the highest highs and lowest lows of society. Each experience has taught me something new and shaped the person that I am today.