We recently connected with Dr. Portia Lockett and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Portia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My parents laid a profound and positive influence on my life and career! The environment and values instilled in me during my formative years significantly shaped my perspectives, decisions, and paths. Growing up in midtown Detroit with supportive parents provided me with unique experiences and lessons that contributed to my personal and professional development. Detroit has a rich cultural and industrial history, and being raised in such a dynamic environment offered a blend of resilience, creativity, and community values. Since the city is known for its contributions to music, art, and the automotive industry, it definitely had an influence on my interests and career choices. The strong foundation my parents laid included values like hard work, perseverance, and the importance of community, which are essential for navigating life’s challenges and achieving success. My father was a supervisor for Ford Motor Company and an announcer on WJLB on Sundays playing gospel music. While I was in middle school, my mother completed her education and received her Master’s Degree in Music. This led to her teaching career in the Detroit Public schools. Early on, it was ingrained that faith, family, education and community were the pillars that our family upheld. Music was consistently played in our home; you would hear everything from gospel, Beethoven, and the sounds of MOTOWN.
Our home was open to any family member that needed temporary housing. I remember vividly when my Aunt and my cousin came to stay with us during the riots. It was a time when fear flooded the roads with submarines driving down the streets in some areas of Detroit. No matter what the cause, my parents always made it possible to stretch whatever means we had to accommodate everyone under our roof. As a young woman growing up in our home, there was no question about attending church. We were present regularly at Shiloh Baptist Church, which is the second oldest Baptist church in Detroit. I sang in the choir, attended Sunday school, served on the usher board, and attended a few church conferences. Everything in my life came full circle. Like my mother, the first leg of my career path was teaching in the Detroit Public schools, soon thereafter, I followed my father’s path into radio as a sales person at WJLB, WWJ and WNIC. Shifting into the third leg of my career, I began professional development training in the automotive industry. All the while, there was a spiritual calling on my life to gracefully travel the path into chaplaincy, spiritual advising, inspirational speaking and supporting the grieving community as a Grief Recovery Method Specialist.
One thing that stood out in my home was love! There was never a time in my life when I did not feel love. My parents were very affectionate beings and that of course spilled over to my siblings and me. I loved how my parents would stand in the middle of the kitchen and dance in their pajamas gleaming into each other’s eyes as if they were teenagers. I remember giggling and forcing myself in between them because I wanted to feel what they were feeling at that moment… pure agape love.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Reaching back and grabbing hold of every life experience I encountered has prepared me for where I am today.
As I glanced back a few decades ago, I could literally feel a unique calling on my life into the world of becoming a chaplain. To be honest, I had never heard that term before. All I knew was that a chaplain was a person that supported a person or family in transition. However, after having several discussions with spiritual advisors outside of the traditional church setting, it was evident that my assignment was transitioning from training into ministry. So of course, back to the grind of school and training for my new path. It was not clear exactly how it would all pan out but God knew the plan. While still training, the economy/stock market took a deep dive. The automotive industry no longer requested consistent training. With this being said, I was led to volunteer at a local hospital as a chaplain. Subsequently, this guided me to a full time position as a chaplain/spiritual advisor/customer service trainer at another inner city hospital. This role eventually lead to me using all my skills sets from previous paths, which was very rewarding for me. Continuing to evolve on my path, speaking opportunities, professional development training, and opportunities to co-author books manifested to where I am currently. CEO/Founder of the Azal Benne Lockett Foundation where we provide resources/tools, financial and educational components to support the grieving community. I am the CEO of Portia Lockett LLC and the Director of Spiritual Care and Community Affairs for the Detroit Medical Center.
The one thing I am very proud of is that through the loss of my son, who was murdered in 2020, I have turned my pain into passion by helping others on their grieving journey via; azalbennelockettfoundation.org. Individuals that are grieving can get assistance with therapy/counseling, educational and financial support for the planning for a loved ones funeral etc.
I like to say that: ” I have purposed driven grief”
I am very proud that I have been the guest on numerous podcasts and the co-host of The Grieving Journey Podcast that can be heard on most streaming platforms. In addition, I am a contributing writer for the Michigan Chronicle currently uplifting the grieving community. Lastly, the creator of The Healing Card deck that guides and assist individuals on their paths of grief that can be purchased on DrPortiaLockett.com
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I truly think just being my true authentic self-helped me to sustain my reputation. My friends are often asked if I am the real deal that has the capacity to love others regardless of the environment that I am placed in. I have grown tremendously but the love that has been embedded in me as a child cannot be dismantled and I am intentional when it comes to be a blessing to those that cross my path.
When I rise daily, one portion of my prayer is that I ask God to allow me to be a beacon of light and to be a blessing no matter what the circumstances.
My mother would always say:
Good Better Best
Never Let It Rest
Until
Your Good Is Better
And Your Better Is Your Best!
I continue to thrive with this in mind! I can only be my best, so I bring my FULL self-daily.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Building resilience is a continuous process that requires time and effort. By incorporating a few strategies into my daily life, it has enhanced my ability to navigate complex times. The onset of COVID 19, was one of the most frightening and uncertain times in my life. Being a spiritual advisor/hospital chaplain and grief recovery method specialist, I was able to share a few techniques that I personally practiced to help family, friends, health care workers and first responders as they maneuvered through these challenging unforeseen times.
1. Self-Care was essential for me. I attempted to keep a healthy diet and exercise as often as possible.
2. Emotional Awareness is crucial for me. I was diligent in staying in touch with my emotions so that I would not experience stress and burnout.
3. I made sure that I had a good support system to lean on and a therapist on speed dial.
4. I had to set boundaries so that I had work-life balance.
5. Prayer and meditation was essential for me daily in order to be the support person for others.
As a child evolving into the woman that I am today, I observed my parents as they faced life’s ups and downs but remained faithful and resilient regardless of the circumstances.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.drportia lockett.com azalbennelockettfoundation.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/portialockett/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/portialockett/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drportialockett/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/portialockett
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/portialockett/
- Other: Images created by: Monica Morgan, Mark Moden, Wayne Norman
Image Credits
Monica Morgan, Mark Moten, Wayne Norman, Justin Milhouse