Women’s Issues and Ways Communities Can Offer Support

About the Session

Our Executive Director Portia Espy discusses on women’s issues, the experiences of Black women in America, and ways communities can provide support, based on Espy’s current work with the Mississippi Urban League.

As the President and CEO of the Mississippi Urban League, her knowledge, insight, and expertise will bring a unique and insightful discussion about how individuals can support women and help end disparities in their surrounding communities.

About the Presenter

Portia Espy is the President and CEO of the Mississippi Urban League, which is an initiative focused on creating sustainable pathways to health equity, improved educational outcomes, and economic empowerment in order to raise the standard of living for underserved communities in Mississippi.

She is a native of southeast Louisiana and has been a resident of Mississippi for the past 22 years. Prior to joining the Mississippi Urban League, Portia served as Executive Director of the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, now known as the Alluvial Collective, where she also served as Director of Community Building.

She has held positions with the Children’s Defense Fund Southern Regional Office, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Mid-South Delta Initiative, Royal Dutch Shell, Entergy Corporation, and Raytheon Aerospace. Portia holds a PhD in Public Policy and Administration from Jackson State University, an M.B.A from Loyola University, New Orleans, a B.A. in Communications from Southern University, Baton Rouge, and is certified in nonprofit leadership and management from Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education.