We recently connected with Portia Benbow and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Portia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea for DiaBeating The Odds was born out of my own life experience living with Type 1 diabetes. I was diagnosed in 1999, and like many people who receive a chronic illness diagnosis, I spent years asking myself, “Why me?” Managing diabetes is not just about insulin, doctor visits, or monitoring blood sugar. It touches every part of your life–your mental health, your relationships, your routines, and your sense of control over your future.

As I navigated my own journey, I began to notice something else: many of the challenges I was facing were even more pronounced in black and brown communities. Access to education, resources, technology, culturally relevant support, and even safe spaces to talk about diabetes openly were limited. Too often, people were managing this condition in isolation, without the community or tools they needed to truly thrive.

Over time, I began connecting with other individuals and families impacted by diabetes. I listened to their stories, their frustrations, their fears, and their victories. What became clear was that there was a gap—especially when it came to creating spaces where people of color could feel seen, supported, and informed. I realized that while there were organizations focused on diabetes, there were not enough that centered community, culture, and lived experience in the way our communities needed.

That realization is what led me to create DiaBeating The Odds.

As a Georgia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, DiaBeating The Odds is dedicated to helping individuals impacted by all types of diabetes live healthy and fulfilling lives. Our work focuses on breaking down common barriers to effective diabetes management through education, access, and community connection. At DTO, we believe managing diabetes goes far beyond medication—it’s also about emotional well-being, social support, and equitable access to care.
What makes our approach unique is that our programs are grounded in lived experience and guided by three core principles: health equity, diabetes education and awareness, and community building. Through free or low-cost events, awareness campaigns, and conversation series that highlight real-life experiences, we create relatable and accessible spaces for people living with diabetes and those who support them.

But the true confirmation that this work matters comes from the people we serve.
Every time someone attends one of our events or meetups and says, “I thought I was the only one,” or “I didn’t know that,” I’m reminded why this work is so important. When someone living with diabetes meets another person who truly understands their daily reality—or when a caregiver finds someone who can relate to their journey—it reinforces the power of community. Hearing people say how much that connection helped them reminds me that every effort we make is worth it.

For years I asked God, “Why me?” But more than 20 years later, I understand why. My diagnosis was not the end of my story—it was the beginning of a purpose. It allowed me to connect with incredible individuals, families, and partners who now make up the DiaBeating The Odds community.

Today, that question has transformed into gratitude. I believe I was chosen to help build a space where people impacted by diabetes feel empowered, informed, and supported as they learn to DiaBeat The Odds, one day at a time.

Portia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I consider myself a servant leader and social impact professional whose work is rooted in community, connection, and service. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about helping people access the resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to thrive. Much of what I do centers on bringing people together, solving problems, and creating pathways for individuals and communities to succeed.

Professionally, I serve as the Director of Community Impact with the Atlanta Hawks. In this role, we use basketball as a vehicle to uplift and serve the community. Through our work, we focus on addressing real challenges facing our neighborhoods, including food insecurity, limited access to opportunities for youth development, and barriers to economic mobility. Our initiatives provide young people with the tools, resources, and exposure they need to grow into confident leaders in their communities. We also work to support small businesses and entrepreneurs while creating college and career readiness opportunities that help positively change the trajectory of young people’s lives.

Outside of my professional role, service continues to be a central part of who I am. I serve as Co-Chair of the Young Professionals Board for Meals on Wheels Atlanta, where we work to raise awareness and resources to address senior hunger and isolation. I’m also involved with The Posse Foundation, an organization focused on expanding access to higher education for first-generation college students and students from diverse backgrounds.

I’m also the Founder and Executive Director of DiaBeating The Odds, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals impacted by diabetes. Through community-centered programs, education, and awareness efforts, we work to break down barriers that often prevent people from effectively managing the condition. Our goal is to create spaces where individuals living with diabetes and their families feel supported, informed, and connected.

Across all of these spaces, people often know me as someone they can call when they need help finding a resource, making a connection, or figuring out how to move an idea forward. I take pride in being a connector and a problem solver—someone who brings people and organizations together in ways that create meaningful impact.

What I’m most proud of is the opportunity to serve and to be part of work that truly changes lives. Whether it’s helping a young person access an opportunity they didn’t know existed, supporting initiatives that address hunger in our community, or creating spaces where individuals impacted by diabetes can find community and support, those moments reinforce why this work matters.

At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to uplifting others. I believe that when we invest in people, build strong communities, and create spaces where individuals feel supported and empowered, we can drive lasting and meaningful change.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe credibility is built through authenticity, lived experience, and consistently showing up for the community you serve. For me, this work isn’t theoretical—it’s personal. Living with Type 1 diabetes for more than two decades has given me firsthand insight into the challenges, emotions, and realities that people impacted by diabetes face every day. That lived experience shapes how we approach our work and ensures that everything we create is rooted in empathy, understanding, and real-life needs.

My professional background in community impact has also played an important role in building credibility. Through my work, I’ve developed experience curating meaningful community experiences and building partnerships that drive real impact. I’ve been able to apply those same skills to DiaBeating The Odds, ensuring that the programs and events we create are thoughtful, engaging, and well-executed. Whether it’s a community event, conversation series, or awareness initiative, we’re intentional about designing experiences that are meaningful and truly resonate with the people we serve.
Another factor that has helped build credibility is the genuine relationships we’ve formed within the community. The interactions we have with people at our events and programs are real and authentic. We show up as ourselves, and people can feel that. There’s a level of trust that develops when people know you’re not just talking about an issue—you’re living it and working alongside them to navigate it.

Many of the people who attend our events share their experiences with others, and that word-of-mouth support from past attendees has been incredibly powerful in helping grow the community. Hearing people say how much they learned, how supported they felt, or how meaningful it was to connect with others who understand their journey reinforces that the work is resonating.

Partnerships have also played a significant role. Collaborating with respected organizations and corporations in the diabetes space has allowed us to expand our reach and bring additional expertise and resources to the communities we serve.

Finally, the perspectives of our board and advisory council are incredibly important. Many of them bring lived experience with diabetes, either personally or through supporting loved ones, while others are medical professionals who provide clinical expertise and insight into diabetes care and management. Together, their perspectives help ensure that the programs and initiatives we create truly reflect both the real-life needs of the community and the medical realities of managing the condition. In many ways, the work we do is shaped just as much by the voices of the community as it is by leadership.

At the end of the day, our credibility comes from staying true to who we are, listening to the community, and consistently creating spaces where people feel supported, informed, and connected.

How’d you meet your business partner?

While I don’t have a traditional business partner or cofounder, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to build a leadership team through the board and advisory council that supports the work of DiaBeating The Odds. I truly believe that when you are walking in the purpose God has for your life, He brings the right people into your path to help carry the vision forward.

The individuals who make up our leadership teams came into my life in different ways and at different times. Some are people I’ve known since childhood, while others I’ve met within the last few years through community work and shared connections. What unites them is a genuine belief in the mission and the impact we’re working to create.

Many of them also have personal connections to diabetes—whether through their own diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or working professionally in the diabetes space. That lived experience brings an important perspective to the table and helps ensure that the work we do remains grounded in the real needs of the community.

What makes their involvement so meaningful is that they volunteer their time, energy, and expertise because they believe in the vision. In just a few short years, they’ve seen the impact the organization has already made, and they’ve chosen to invest their efforts into helping it grow.

As the Executive Director, I’m incredibly grateful for their willingness to walk alongside me on this journey. Their support, insights, and commitment to the mission are helping us build something we truly believe can change the narrative for Black and brown communities in the diabetes space.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.diabeatingtheodds.org
• Instagram: @_portiab, @DiaBeatingTheOdds
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/portia-benbow912/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DiaBeatingTheOdds

Image Credits

Hawks photos- Kat Goduco