Porsche Miles-Grant, MSOL

I strive for perfection and am not satisfied with mediocrity. I feel that as long as I'm alive, I can be improving and self-reflecting and doing more. I believe that's just my contribution to society - I believe I was put here to help people in whatever way that is, whether it's fitness, making them laugh, helping them become more financially successful, or leading and training them to grow additional knowledge. When I'm connected to people, I feel that's my purpose. I would definitely attribute my success to my parents, because they are go-getters. My mother is a stickler for education - she's the one who really pushed me towards education and to never stop. She is a student of higher learning herself, and so that's really important. My father has always been that ear to tell me to keep going, to encourage me, and I've seen him continue to work hard and not complain. I just kind of mimic those values from my parents. They've always served as living examples of what success looks like. I also believe that having a life partner who encourages me, speaks life into me, who allows me to be yourself, who supports the things that I do - I think that's also influential in helping me be the person who I am. When you have someone that's motivating you, that's always there supporting you, I think that's really helpful as well. More than anything, my faith is important. I am a strong believer in the Most High. God leads my every thought, my every move, and I'm really here to please the Most High, and that's what's really guiding me. Comedy also feeds my soul and helps replenish me because it allows me to be funny, make other people laugh, and make people feel good - and in doing all of those things, that helps replenish me.

The best advice I ever received came from my parents. They told me to stay true to myself, to be authentic and only the strong survives. They also let me know that everyone is not my friend, that this world is not as kind-hearted and nice as I am. They taught me that it's either eat or be eaten - this is a really cruel world, and you have to be strong. You cannot show any weakness in this world. My mother also really pushed me towards education and to never stop learning, which has been huge for me. Their guidance taught me to be resilient and to remain authentic no matter what.

The best advice I would give to young women is Keep God first and not to be afraid to self-reflect and to listen to constructive criticism, because in life, when you have feedback, it helps you grow, it helps you mature, it helps you develop. A lot of times, women can feel as if they know everything or feel defensive when someone is trying to encourage them, talk to them, or give them advice. I think that the best thing to do is to just be open - to be open to change. Constantly understanding that life evolves, perspective is reality, and that if you want to develop and you want to grow, you must be open to listening.

I think there is an opportunity right now for African Americans in particular to focus on their health and to focus on becoming more financially literate and successful, and having those topics of discussion with their family and their children so that they can become more literate about finances. I think it's an opportunity also right now - and this is for everything I do - to laugh more. We're going through so much in the world. Every day is a trial, a tribulation, a challenge, an obstacle. It's important to find the humor in life. It's important to find the laughter, the right people to be around so that you can laugh. As laughter is good for the soul.

More than anything, my faith is important. I am a strong believer in the Most High. God leads my every thought, my every move, and I'm really here to please the Most High - that's what's really guiding me. Family is also important. I would attribute so much of who I am to my parents, who are go-getters and have always encouraged me and served as examples of success. Having a life partner who encourages me, who allows me to be myself, who supports the things I do - I think that's also influential in helping me be the person who I am. When you have someone that's motivating you, that's always there supporting you, I think that's really helpful. Education and continuous learning are extremely important to me - my mother instilled that value in me, and I believe that as long as I'm alive, I can be improving and self-reflecting and doing more. I also value authenticity and being true to myself, which my parents taught me. I believe I was put here to help people in whatever way that is - whether it's fitness, making them laugh, helping them become more financially successful, or leading and training them. When I'm connected to people, I feel that's my purpose, and that's my contribution to society.