CBE 365: Morris Porter

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — WJBF NewsChannel 6’s Black Excellence 365 recognizes inspiring black individuals and organizations in the CSRA throughout the year. This month we honor Morris Porter, the beekeeper, with our Mary L. Jones Black Affirmation Award.

“This is a recent nickname that I’ve earned, from a very great woman, Ms. Diane McKee,” Morris Porter recalls. “She said I’d get things done, I’d do it quietly, but I make things happen.”

Porter, a Certified Respiratory Therapist and philanthropist, hails from Fort Pierce, Florida.
One of eight kids, he learned leadership early on. “It kind of taught me to take care of people and learn how to share and, you know, how to be a big brother,” he added. “A lot of people called me the big brother.”

He graduated magna cum laude from Paine College and pursued cybersecurity at Voorhees, inspired by his teachers. “Anytime you made a good grade, you know, they kind of uplift your parade, you show you how proud they are. So, it’s something that kind of stuck with me. So I always strive for excellence in everything that I do,” Porter said.

With 18 years in the military and a role in the Acute Lung Injury Rescue Team, Morris gained a unique perspective. “If you learn more about a culture, then you’ll understand ’em better, then we have better relationships.”

Beyond his military career, Morris empowers youth through his family-run organization, We Inc. “Anytime the community needed some type of assistance, whether it’s a clothing drive or it’s a hurricane. We need to provide entertainment, anything like that. So we pulled resources together,” he said.

He collaborates with the National Action Network, the Augusta African American Historic Preservation Council, and Global Race Unity. He’s also on the library board. He was instrumental in bringing the tech hub to the library. It’s a cutting-edge space packed with free tools for creativity. It features a recording studio for podcasts and music, a 3D printer that turns digital designs into physical objects and a green screen for making videos. “The response to kids is Wow. Yeah, because this type of technology is right there free for them and at their fingertips,” he shared. “That was the purpose. We wanted to bring it to them, make it accessible, and just give ’em a resource that they can just be more creative and let their creativity run.”

Known as “The Beekeeper” for his impactful work, Morris’s philosophy is simple: fill in the gaps. “So, if there’s a gap somewhere and I have the ability to fill it, I fill it without looking for a reward, without a second thoughts, I just find a way to make it happen.”

From MLK parades, educational tours, and the CSRA Afro Caribbean Fest, Morris inspires the next generation, teaching them their rights and history. “We organized the legislative day at the Capitol. We take the kids up there, they get to work with the senators, they get to work with the representatives,” he called. “It really inspired them to wow, I could be in this, this building and working here as myself.”

Morris advocates for unity and equality, including initiatives like the non-discrimination ordinance. “It kind of gave a template on how we want everyone to be treated fairly. So it, I think it’s doing its job right now,” Porter said.

Morris’ faith guides his actions. He credits God for his path, energy, and focus. “I’m gonna keep doing what I’ve been doing, and I’m gonna let God lead the way on whatever it is that he want me to do,” he said. “In the meantime, I’ll continue to be that community advocate. I’ll continue to instill hope and inspire folks to be able to be the best that they can be, and empower them with the resources so that they can spread their wings and fly as high as they want.”

From Fort Pierce to community leader, Morris Porter exemplifies dedication and service. That’s why he’s our Black Affirmation Award.

If you would like to contact Morris, you can find him at Morris Porter on Facebook , NAN of CSRA-National Action Network on Facebook , or email him at Afrovisionusllc@gmail.com .

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