About Alfonzo Porter

Al Porter is a popular national speaker on contemporary educational issues, trends, legislative policy, reforms, and initiatives. His radio show entitled "Say What??" w/Alfonzo Porter challenges conventional pedagogy and is broadcast on WOL AM1450 in Washington DC. He is the past President and CEO of Porter Education & Communications, Inc. (PE&C). From 1999 thru 2010, PE&C served as a national education management and development company specializing in a full portfolio of services to students, families, government agencies, and school systems.

Porter is a highly charged, dynamic speaker in the areas of business motivation, education, personal growth, and inspiration. He is also perfect for corporate, government, and national association events. Porter is a former award winning CEO, journalist, educator, author, trainer and youth advocate.

He is a highly sought after trainer and presenter on the academic achievement gap and its impact upon the American Workforce, Global Competitiveness, Economic Development, Teacher Training, and Student Preparedness from Kindergarten through College Graduation.

His most recent book, “More Like Barack, Less Like Tupac: Eradicating the Academic Achievement Gap by Countering Decades of the Hip Hop Hoax,” (PE&C, Inc. 2010), addresses the decline in performance of public education in America; and how this reality directly effects the bottom line  of every industry in our nation. He is also the author of “The X Stands for Excellence,” (Kendall-Hunt Publishing, 1996), a motivational text for middle and high school teens.

A native of St. Louis, MO, Al received his undergraduate degree in Journalism and Public Relations in Denver. He attended The Ohio State University where he completed his Master of Arts degree in Educational Policy and Leadership. He holds a Graduate Certificate in Management from the George Washington University School of Professional Studies. He is currently a Doctoral candidate in the Administration of Teaching and Learning.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Porter has been a staunch advocate for youth. Whether in his many roles as a YMCA director, Boys/Girls Club professional, national motivational speaker, newspaper reporter, teacher, principal, author and business owner, he has continued to strive to help at-risk young men and women realize their personal and academic potential.

Mr. Porter is a strong community supporter serving on the boards of directors of the Chamber of Commerce, The Education Industry Association, and Court Appointed Special Advocates among many others. 

Over the tenure of his business, he has launched a coordinated effort to explore the issues surrounding the under achievement of minority students nationally. His “Erasing the Achievement Gap” Conference Series gathered some the most prolific educators from around the country to explore the root causes and develop research and evidenced based strategies to confront the achievement gap that exists between minority children and their white and Asian counterparts.

Mr. Porter has been named Small Business of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce, One of the Fastest Growing Firms by Inc. Magazine. He received a National Leadership Award from the Business Advisory Council. Additionally, Mr. Porter has been honored as Businessman of the Year by the NRCC. He is listed in Who’s Who among Executives and Professionals. He received the Network Journal’s 40 leaders under 40 Award, as well as the Wynnwood Image Award. He was twice honored as one of 50 Influential Minorities in Business by the Minority Enterprise Executive Council.