We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sierra Porter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sierra , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Ebony Emotions was born from my pain, struggle, and eventual clarity after being diagnosed with bipolar II disorder. After nearly a decade working in media and journalism—and volunteering with nonprofits like Usher’s New Look, FUTURE NOW Media Foundation, NAMI, and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance—I realized that my love of writing, storytelling, practical resources, and mental-health advocacy all belonged in one place.

“Ebony” represents my Blackness and the legacy of Ebony Magazine, which shaped my cultural identity growing up. “Emotions” reflects the highs and lows that come with living with bipolar disorder. Together, Ebony Emotions creates a single home where BIPOC people with bipolar disorder can access culturally relevant content, validation, and community support.
Unlike broad mental-health organizations, Ebony Emotions focuses intentionally on the intersection of race and bipolar disorder.

My approach centers lived experience alongside professional resources, addressing barriers that uniquely affect BIPOC individuals—stigma, misdiagnosis, medical discrimination, cultural silence, and lack of representation.
I built this platform because it didn’t exist when I was diagnosed at 26. Ebony Emotions fills a critical gap, ensuring historically overlooked communities receive the tools, visibility, and support they deserve.

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.

I am a proud alumna of Georgia State University, where I earned my B.A. in Journalism in May 2018. As an accomplished journalist, I’ve interviewed prominent figures across media and entertainment—including Bobby Brown, Cee Lo Green, Jermaine Dupri, KISS’ Paul Stanley, André 3000, Boyz II Men, and more. I previously served as an entertainment writer for The Des Moines Register and was awarded the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)–New York University Journalism Scholarship for the Magazine and Digital Storytelling program.

In 2021, I received the Sheila Brooks NABJ Entrepreneur Scholarship and expanded my industry experience through internships with LinkedIn News, The New York Post, and Billboard. I am currently pursuing my third degree in Corporate Communications and Public Relations at Georgetown University while volunteering with mental health organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) through their In Our Own Voice program.

Launching March 30, 2026, Ebony Emotions will deliver culturally rooted support for BIPOC individuals living with bipolar disorder through weekly Monday blog posts, templates, courses, and specialized services—including public speaking engagements, ghostwriting for nonprofits and organizations, webinars, and special projects that offer practical, lived-experience–centered tools rarely found in traditional resources.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I once believed journalism would be my forever career—my true purpose. But the reality of the industry felt very different. The office politics, low pay, and disrespect from gatekeepers took a toll on both my mind and body. I needed a way to do the work I loved without resenting it or sacrificing key moments in my life. I also needed an environment that didn’t require me to drop everything the moment news broke, even in entertainment.

I still enjoy offering commentary and staying connected through music blogs, newsletters, and books, but I knew I needed a work structure that supported my mental health instead of undermining it.

My business gives me that balance. I can choose how many clients I take, batch and schedule content in advance, and proactively plan my workload to reduce stress as a founder. The courses and templates will provide passive income, while weekly blog posts allow me to stay consistent without writing daily or burning out under constant deadlines.
For the first time, I feel like I’ve found a sustainable rhythm—one that honors both my creativity and my well-being.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to learn that I’m not here to be palatable or universally liked—I’m here to fulfill my purpose. That realization came after experiencing backlash from a few peers, which made it clear that I wasn’t aligned with many of the people I had to coexist with. It taught me that people-pleasing only drains me, and trying to earn the approval of people who don’t even like themselves is a dead-end.

Stepping out of that pattern has allowed me to stand in my own voice with far more clarity and confidence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ebonyemotions.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebonyemotionsorg/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sierra-alea-porter-444071110/

Image Credits

Photo Credits: Tvision Photography LLC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tvisionphotos