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Leigha T. Porter

@leighatporter

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Multi-Hyphenate Creative Entrepreneur
Arts | Culture | Entrepreneurship | Travel
Louisiana > National > International

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For years I didn’t know what to call myself. I just knew I was building things — shows, programs, spaces, opportunities — rooted in culture and community.

Eventually I realized that there’s a name for that: cultural creative entrepreneurship.

It’s storytelling through film.
It’s producing stage productions.
It’s connecting people and resources.
It’s preserving history through art.
It’s imagining what didn’t exist and then making it real.

This is the work I’m committed to. This is the work I love.
If you’re new here — welcome. If you’ve been here — thank you. We’re just getting started. by @leighatporter

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9 months ago

I didn’t always know where this journey would lead. I just knew I couldn’t quit on myself. When we give our ideas a chance and give ourselves grace in the process, things unfold. Dance started it, entrepreneurship shaped it, and community gave it meaning. And there’s so much more to come. Stay tuned for more of my journey as it is steadily unfolding! ✨ by @leighatporter

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9 months ago

This is what producing looks like BUT when nobody’s watching…

It’s being on stage and behind the scenes at the same time.
Making decisions in real time. Adjusting details on the fly.
Holding the vision steady while everything around you is moving.

Producing isn’t just planning what happens — it’s guiding the moment as it unfolds.
It’s knowing when to step in, when to step back, and how to make it all feel seamless.

Most people only see the final product.
This is the side of producing you don’t always hear about. by @leighatporter

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9 months ago

This is why I love to travel. The places I’ve dreamed of become real, and I get to stand in them, take a breath, and take it all in. Machu Picchu was one of those moments. 🤍🇵🇪

There’s so much more I want to experience, and share with you.

Miles & Moments returns to YouTube this Tuesday, starting with Florence, Italy! Comment EXPLORE, and I’ll send you the link to my channel so you can come along. by @leighatporter

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18 hours ago

A little full-circle moment!

This week, I had the opportunity to return to my alma mater, Northside High School, to spend some time pouring into the young dancers on the school’s dance team.

What made this moment even more special is that I coached this very dance team for over 10 years during my time as a public school teacher.

I’ve always believed in the importance of giving back and sharing the knowledge, experiences, and lessons we’ve gained along our own journeys. Sometimes a little guidance, encouragement, or a reminder of what’s possible can make a lasting impact.

It was such a joy to return to a place that holds so many memories and continue pouring into the next generation of artists.

A reminder that no matter how far your journey takes you, there’s something special about returning to where part of it all began. 🤎 by @leighatporter

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3 days ago

A little bit of everything, all in one day. ✨

One thing about my life as a creative entrepreneur is that no two days ever look the same.

From radio interviews and exhibition planning to teaching, guest artist residencies, production meetings, and rehearsals, some days require me to wear just about every hat imaginable.

And while the days can be long, I’m always reminded of how grateful I am to do work that allows me to create, collaborate, build community, and help bring meaningful artistic experiences to life.

Somewhere between the meetings, the movement, and the million little details, there’s a whole lot of purpose.

Just another day doing the work I love.

#DayInTheLife #CreativeEntrepreneur #ArtsAndCulture #CreativeLife by @leighatporter

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5 days ago

Traveling has become one of my favorite things to do.

Of course, I love experiencing new places, cultures, people, food, and ways of life. But I’ve realized there are two deeper reasons why travel has become so important to me.

As an artist, creative, and entrepreneur, I believe we have to experience life outside of our work. Sometimes we need to disconnect from what we’re constantly building, creating, and producing long enough to simply experience the world.

Because the more life we experience, the more we have to bring back to our work.

New places stretch my imagination. New cultures introduce me to different ways of seeing and thinking. New experiences give me new perspectives. And as an artist, all of that becomes part of what I create—even when I don’t realize it in the moment.

But travel also reminds me of just how small I am.

It’s easy to become consumed by our own little worlds—our deadlines, responsibilities, successes, disappointments, problems, and dreams. Then you stand somewhere thousands of miles from home and realize just how BIG this world really is.

There are billions of people living entire lives, dreaming their own dreams and experiencing worlds completely different from mine.

And somehow, realizing how small I am doesn’t make my life feel less significant.

It gives me perspective.

There is so much more to see. So much more to experience. So much more to learn.

And I want to keep allowing the world to expand me—not just as an artist, but as a person. 🌍 by @leighatporter

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6 days ago

What y’all are listening to lately! 🎶 What songs have been on repeat?

Currently sitting in the art gallery getting some work done. Working on a floor plan (yes, a floor plan, LOL), and of course, I have to have some good music playing in the background.

A little random fact about me: I curate playlists called Dinner Parties. Each one has its own vibe, mood, and energy. I imagine these really cool, artistic dinner parties filled with interesting people, beautiful spaces, good food, great conversations, and, of course, really good music.

So I create the soundtracks for those imaginary (and sometimes real) gatherings. LOL.

I have a Cool Dinner Party, Chill Dinner Party, Black Dinner Party, and a few others.

I’m working on my next Dinner Party playlist, “Soulful Dinner Party, and I want to hear what y’all think I should add.

Drop a song or artist in the comments. I might just add it to the next Dinner Party. 🎶 by @leighatporter

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6 days ago

A little reminder for those who spend so much of their time creating spaces and opportunities for others: Don’t forget to create space for yourself, too. 🤎

Over the years, much of my work has evolved into leadership, producing, and arts administration. And while I genuinely love what I do, I don’t always get to spend as much time creating, choreographing, and teaching as I once did.

There’s a certain kind of joy I experience when I’m simply moving, teaching, and creating. It’s where I feel most connected to myself.

When I started hosting these monthly Movement Gatherings, I wanted to create a space for dancers to move, explore, and connect. But I also knew I needed to create that space for myself.

Friday night was another beautiful reminder of why.

So, to my fellow creatives, leaders, and visionaries who spend so much time pouring into others, don’t forget to make room for the things that bring YOU joy, too.

Sometimes the spaces we create for others are the very spaces we need ourselves.🤎 by @leighatporter

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7 days ago

Tonight marked our third Movement Gathering, and I’m always so grateful and honored to share space and movement with such beautiful souls. 🤎

Tonight’s combination felt like a hallelujah prelude. That feeling, that energy that begins to rise right before you enter into prayer, praise, or a moment of surrender. There’s something about allowing the music to move through you before you even begin to move.

I’ve always been deeply connected to music that speaks to my soul. It’s why I call my personal movement aesthetic SoulGroove. It’s soulful, it’s rhythmic, it’s groovy, and it comes from a place that feels deeply personal.

Here’s a little snippet of what we explored tonight. Unfortunately, my video didn’t capture the music, but thanks to Instagram, you still get to hear a piece of the Coflo track we grooved to in class. And whew, what a groove it was!

Grateful for every body, every spirit, and every moment shared in the space.

Until next month. ✨

Movers: @arymanar @gottalove._christian and Courtney!!! by @leighatporter

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9 days ago

Creative inspiration tends to find me anywhere.

Sometimes it’s in the middle of working. Sometimes it’s while traveling. And sometimes it’s 2 p.m., sitting in a small café in Italy.

But when an idea, a vision, or a possibility comes to me, I have to write it down.

There’s something powerful about putting what’s in your head onto paper. A thought becomes something you can see. A vision becomes something you can build. An idea becomes the beginning of a plan.

Not everything I write down becomes something immediately. Some ideas sit for months—or even years—before I understand what they’re meant to become.

But I’ve learned not to dismiss the things that come to me simply because I don’t know what to do with them yet.

Write the vision.
Capture the idea.
Make room for it.

You never know what you may be writing the first page of. by @leighatporter

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10 days ago

This is what growth looks like.

When you’re building something, growth doesn’t always happen overnight. Sometimes it happens little by little, in the things you’re finally able to invest in, the systems you’re able to improve, and the ways your vision begins to catch up with what you imagined years ago.

For years, The Creole Nutcracker used what we had. We made it work. We kept producing. We kept dreaming. And we kept building.

Now, in Year 9, something as simple as investing in professional wardrobe road cases feels like a milestone.

Not just because they’re new cases, but because of what they represent.

We’ve always had a vision of taking The Creole Nutcracker beyond our home stage and eventually on the road. And part of growth is preparing for the opportunities you’re praying and working toward before they arrive.

Every investment doesn’t have to be huge to be significant. Sometimes growth looks like better equipment. Better systems. Stronger infrastructure. One more piece that makes the vision a little more ready for what’s next.

Nine years later, we’re still building.

Still investing.

Still preparing.

Still growing.

And when the road calls, we want to be ready. ✨

#TheCreoleNutcracker #YearNine #Growth #BuildingTheVision #behindthescenes by @leighatporter

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11 days ago