Good morning, peeps, and welcome to woke F Daily with
Meet your Girl Danielle Moody. Pre recording from the Home Bunker. Folks, you know, I love whenever I get the opportunity to bring on new voices to WOKF and I'm very excited today for just a very fun, light, engaging conversation with La Portia Thomas and La Porsche is the host of Up and Out with La Porscha on the Advocate Channel, having you know, a range of conversations about culture, about politics, about black queer culture, etc. And you know, it's not often,
honestly that I get to have more laughter and more light on this show than kind of marinating in the misery. And in this conversation, we talk about the upsides of being you know, black and queer identified in media, the opportunity to share stories and you know, uplift narratives and disrupt stereotypes in a lot of different ways, and also have some fun in chatting about a mutual musician that we both adore so very much. So I hope, friends,
that you all enjoy this conversation. I hope that you are getting the rest and restoration and joy and relaxation on this holiday break that you all deserve and by the way, we're deserving just by being not because we've grinded ourselves into the ground all year. So coming up
next my conversation with La Portia Thomas Folks. I am very excited to welcome to ok F Daily for the very first time, Laporscha Thomas, who is the host of Up and Out with La Porsche on the Advocate channel, talking about all things Black, LGBTQ, what it means to be a creative in media doing all of the things, La Porsche. Let's start off with tell us a little bit about you and how you got into media, into
being a creative. I think your website, La Porsche speaks I love one because you quote Beyonce two two, because you lay out all of you know, the ways that you create and who you reach right. You talk about uh gen X and millennials and Z and Y and digital first. So I just want to get a little bit about your about your background and how you got started.
So, I mean, I have been like a journalist and in front of the camera since I was eight years old. I remember I would read the cafeteria menu and I read it with my full heart on our ps TV. That's what it was called in elementary school, right, And I always knew I wanted to tell stories, and I know people always usually say I wanted to be the voice for the voiceless, and I don't believe that anybody
is voiceless, right like period. I think it's our job as journalists, as media personalities to make sure that we put forth the information that people need to pay attention to. And so I got my start at the CBS affiliate in Columbus, and then I went from there to big market, top ten market right there in Atlanta, and that's where
I really grew as a journalist, Danielle. I mean that's when the awards came, the digital first came, pieces came, and that really taught me one that I was very blessed to have my journalism experience in Atlanta, the black capital of the world, right because I from an early start, I've always told story with black and brown voices in mind, and I've always told stories with the LGBTQ A plus
voice in mind. That's always been very important to me because I noticed we would celebrate pride, but it wasn't black ride.
You're right, right, right.
This Pride is marketed for everyone, but it doesn't include everyone.
So I really.
Always moved like that in the newsroom, and I said, my goal is to be a media mogul, so I have to leave the newsroom and learn other skill sets outside of the newsroom. And so I went and did some podcasting and I got to work with Carlos King, and now I have my own show, and I'm taking part in a lot of the building and the branding at Equal Pride. So it's really been an interesting ride, a fun ride. I've done a a lot. Like sometimes people ask me to tell my story, I'm like.
Which part, Yeah, yeah, journalism one like which part? I don't know?
No, And I get that, and I think, you know what, what I really enjoy is the fact that, you know, for far too long, there were very few black queer out voices in media, right, and whenever folks were called upon myself included, it was in the beginning just to
talk about being black and being gay. And then you know, thankfully that has evolved over time, right, And it is it is definitely is the perspective and lens with which I see the world through, But it is not the only thing that I'm called upon to talk to talk about. And so for you, how has your storytelling and kind of your narrative grown and changed since the beginning to now in terms of like what you focus on and talk about and how you focus and talk about those things.
I definitely think that I recognize that I have had a very blessed experienced family wise, right, so there was no coming out process for me.
And just to be clear, I'm paying you know what I mean?
And so I see the world through the lens of loving everyone, do you know what I mean? It's not like or at least understanding that everyone has their own story and just because you don't understand it doesn't mean that it's not real or doesn't exist.
And so.
I feel like because I've always had that thought that I remember telling my mom, I'm gonna send this episode to my mom. I remember telling my mom like my mom was like, you know, honey, it's okay, you're gay, And I was like, I'm not gay. I knew for me young age, I'm not gay, right, And she was like, okay, well, why don't you have no boyfriend?
And I was like, but she just damn she couldn't understand that I was so focused on my goals that like nothing could distract me, right, Like I was like, I don't know, I'm just not chasing that, Like that's not what I was after.
But I always knew that, you know, I wasn't completely straight. I always knew that, And so now there are words.
For it, like yeah, yeah, and I'm like, oh, there's words for it.
But I've never my mom my auntie.
They never made me feel like I was weird or wrong or anything for being.
Who I was.
And so coming into the actual world and seeing people get kicked out of their homes, their families not respect.
That, it was like a what but yeah, why why does this matter?
And I that train of thought, Dan Yelle really allowed me to always keep an open mind.
Like they're people who say they keep an open mind. No, yeah, my life is an open mind.
So that's really how I've used my own experience experiences to really become a great storyteller. You know, if you're not even limited in certain things that you do, then there is a higher chance that you're going to be a limitless storyteller.
And I love the fact that you started to at the top with talking about the fact that you're not. You've never aspired to be a voice of somebody or something, which assumes that there is no voice. Right, that we all actually have stories to tell. It's just about being past the microphone. It's about or creating the space in place for yourself. But like all of our stories, if we learn from them, you would see how they intertwine
with one another. But also you know how interesting, sting and colorful everyone's experience is, right, And I talk about that in a lot of ways in terms of politics, in moving with a curious mind as opposed to from a place of fear. Right that where we find ourselves right now, I think in this political climate is that there is this huge gap in terms of knowledge that
people have about the quote unquote other. And instead of being excited and curious about what you know, how people pray, how they love, who they are, how they identify, they
have instead been programmed to be fearful of it. And that's why I think that storytelling is so important and stories are so important, and we see bands that happen right now in terms of books and programming, in all of those things, because the more that people see and consume, the more curious, they become the less afraid that they become. And that's what I think is really powerful about storytelling.
I agree.
I think storytelling, you know, the right conversation can change the world. That's like a thing that I have said throughout my life. Conversations can change the world, because I've seen conversations change the world. You know, at first, it's like the way you may have viewed the black gay man, you know, was this way, and then you realize like, oh no, there are different versions of the black gay man.
And I always am telling you know, my homeboys, you only look at the black gay man as this flamboyant person, but there.
Are lent two a people money that are you're chilling with right now?
Yeah, that it is also at black gay men. But you have confined yourself to thinking through different media and different and stuff like this, that oh, this is the only version that exists of this person. And I do think that that's our job. I think it's our job to really tell the world that, hey, you know, here, look who I found a look all the good that this person is doing. Also look at this other person
who's doing bad. You know, I'm not here to be the positive train all the time because sometimes the world war hurts, Like, yeah, you need to see that these kids are dying, you know what I mean, so that you can call you a congresment congressman and say something about it, like those are things that need to happen.
You know.
You can't just see the oh it's kumbaya, you know, because then that's not how change happens, you know.
So yes, so talk to us about up and out your show and the kinds of conversations that you have on there.
So up and out it's all about like culture charisma. I really wanted to bring the funk over there to Equal Pride, Equal Pride Owns Advocate Magazine, Out Magazine, Pride Magazine, those huge lgbt Q i A plus magazines. And it's my first time really working at a company like this, and the one thing that I noticed is that we really need more blackness here, you know what I mean. Yeah, that's the thing because what we do know, Danielle, is that black queer culture dominates a lot and are the
pioneers for a lot of cultures. So it's extremely important to make sure that we feature that. And that's what I'm really here to bring and we have some other things coming down the pipeline line, some new shows and stuff like that, and I'm excited about that and really looking forward to see what happens over this next year.
I love that talk to us about You know, this has been in politics, which is what this show focuses on, a rough year, right. It has been a I won't even say it's been a mixed bag, as many years are, but there's been a lot of stress. Right, There's been a lot of just trauma, right, and kind of working through different version of traumas we've gone through twenty twenty three. What kind of stuck out to you, right, the good? What was a high for twenty twenty three? And then
what was what was a low? Or you can do it in reverse, what was the low? And then we can go that, we can go.
Oh okay, A high for me was please help me remember her name, congress Woman Florida black woman. Oh my gosh, she like read them down doing their hair and when they.
Were trying to do an impeachment for Biden. Oh my gosh.
She's such a popular Right now, I cannot think of her name. She was recently on The Breakfast Club.
Oh wait, Florida or Texas?
Was it is it Texas? Maybe maybe it's Texas. Oh, it's maybe it's Texas.
I think it's Texas. Hold on, keep going.
Well, she was a highlight because when I tell you, I love that she came in there were her weed O love.
That Jasmine Crockett. Yes, And I'm like because I had the opportunity to interview her right after that, right after that read and I was just like, I said, you single handedly get me to go to Texas first of all, because I'm like, I didn't know that they were fighters like that that were there. Yeah, and Jessin, I.
Tell you, Jasmine and I know that she is not a member of my sorority, but she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta correctly, and.
I said, there we go, Greek sister. That was like a highlight for me. I love that. I love that we have voices like her that look like her.
I think that's yeah.
I think it's really important that people see all different versions of a black woman black like you know, natural hair locks, we all of it, and know that all of us can still read you down. Yeah. Yeah, So she was definitely my highlight. The low oh, dang, no, I got one more highlight my bad. Yeah please Florida Uh was running for president.
Just got caught up with the porn and the missics.
Oh oh oh wait uh the Moms for Liberty.
Uh, you knows, the sitting He just did a sit down with ze Way because he.
Got caught up with the mischarges and different things like that. I cannot believe. I am blanket Santos.
Santo, Santos Santo.
I was listening, y'all. I'm I am happy that Santos is gone. Yeah, like by.
Waste of our time in the first place. Honey.
I'm embarrassed because he's from Long Island and I am originally from Long Island and that's who he was, but not my county. But nonetheless, but an embarrassment. Glad that he's gone. Very good highlight, Yes.
Low light. Trump still has the ability.
Yeah, like that is like the low point for me this year is that people are still willing to vote for Trump. And I really want our people to be freed of this idea Danielle that Trump did us good. Trump did not do us good. I don't think a lot of people really understand that there was, you know, a democratic House at one point, a Democratic stenting at one point that was really making a lot.
Of those moves.
And I do feel like it's our job to make sure as this next election come up, people know, maybe Trump didn't do.
That, right, he didn't right? Yeah? Yeah, people, I mean that is the thing about disinformation and misinformation, right, and trying to break through, break through that noise in a lot of ways. With a couple of minutes that we have, I do because I just want to be in fun with you. Yeah. So did you see Renaissance? Did you go and see the film?
Also?
I'm okay, I saw the concert twice. I saw the film twice. I just did an interview with the King of the Beehive May and him. Somebody invited us to do an interview together deron Okays, especially you on Instagram, and we.
Had a bless I loved beyon Say so much. And when I heard that you loved Beyonce to us, said tell her, I'm.
Damn And I will tell you that this Renaissance album for me was like an experience, a movement, a an honoring and like a blessing in all of the ways. Like I have gone to a couple of Beyonce's shows. This was renaissance, was not a show. And that's how my sister and I. I took my sister for her birthday over the summer and it was just like, this was not a show. It was from everyone flooding in the look, the outfits, the feeling, the creativity. It was
just beyond for me. That was like the absolute highlight of the year. Was that was that show?
I mean, so Beyonce told me she loved me literally on stage. I have it on camera and that was my of the year. Yes, that was my personal highlight. I literally cry. I was like, this really happened. I've been doing Beyonce recreation videos. Girl, I've been I've driven, I've taken a mega bus with only one hundred dollars in my pocket to go see her with my best friend Darren. Shout out to Darren, like, we have literally traveled all up and down the East Coast to see Beyonce.
And so when we got our shout out, we promised we would never tell how we got the shout out at least now right now, and we just want to say we're just gonna sit in our delusion. Okay, oh yea, that the shout out was real, that was really us, and it was such a Beyonce Beyonce and you know, just really quick, Danielle.
My favorite part of the film.
That keeps me going right there is when Beyonce said, sometimes being a black woman, you know, people will.
Just try to play in your face.
Yes, still they realized this bitch won't give up. And that that really resonated with me because that is something that I'm sure you face, that I face in this industry. Just that to rise you just had a you know which that's a whole other different episode, but I just really really needed her to say that she was so on time, and it reminded us that she is in fact a human, not a robot, and that she deals with the same thing on an even bigger level, you know.
Like I love when she was like, oh so there's nothing bigger, So there's nothing bigger.
Oh well, that's funny because I.
Just looked at it because I just googled it. That's weird that you're telling me that, like this can't happen, like y really and I and it's just like when I watched that portion and I was just like, still, like this is still happening, like people are still like the answer should be yes, and if not, I'll figure it out. Like I'm just confused, and that Beyonce is still being told no, this can't happen, Are you insane?
Right?
Like she's not asking to go to the moon like tomorrow, right, and if she was, right, figure it out. So, you know, and I love the fact that you just you know, I know, we'll have a couple of seconds left. But you know, Taraji p Henson bringing up, you know, the consistent struggles and the disrespect in the industry that she continues to face that black women continue to face, and then to listen to watch like all of these other
people pipe up. I think is really important because when people see the success, the glitz and the glam, they honestly don't know in comparison to these no name white actresses that you may have seen in one flick, like are making twenty thirty million dollars a picture, and this person who has all of these accolades and all of this, you know, all of this history behind her, is still
struggling to like make things happen. And when you see people have eight, nine to ten jobs, it's not because they want to right, like in a lot of cases. So I really appreciated her being very honest and just kind of lifting the veil on what the experience still is even in our eyes to people who we think, quote unquote have made it.
I definitely think and for everyone saying that Monique also brought this up, I do understand that, but sometimes it's the it's the messenger at the time.
Yeah, the messenger at time.
Means a lot. I love me some Monique, and I know Monique. I still with Monique when she was saying it right because I got under I understand this. I feel like most black women in this industry understand people trying to play in our face when it comes to money.
We've all had to face that. And if you haven't, power to your sister.
But I have had to fight for our money me and I think that what's beautiful is that now people everywhere are speaking out with Taraji, and I think it seemed like such a genuine moment. You know, Gail was asking her this question, and it was supposed to be this playful girl, You're not going anywhere, and then this real genuine like, y'all, I'm only working this much because they won't pay me what Julia Waders is getting paid. And I've done the you know, accomplished amount of work.
I'm in at least some of those same veils. I'm not going to say the exact same veils list everyone, but she deserves Taraji deserves her money. So I'm so happy that she's speaking up. I'm hoping that this only works in her favor.
I'm yeah, you can do it.
Then she's opening up the door for me and yeah, many others, So I'm praying that you know.
It's not backlash for her. Yeah, yeah, Well, la Portia Thomas, this has been fantastic. Thank you so much for making the time for wok F and I hope that we get to talk to you again soon.
Of course, Thank you, Danielle.
That is it for me today, Dear friends on wok F. As always, power to the people and to all the people. Power, get woke and stay woke as fuck.