MEET SERITA PORTER

Serita, a Chicago native, began her professional career in housing and community development, working in mortgage banking sales management to create housing opportunities for minority communities. After nearly ten years, she intentionally transitioned to a community health focus, moving from Atlanta to pursue graduate studies at the University of Delaware (UD). In 2015, she earned a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy with a focus on food access in the city of Wilmington and its associated health outcomes. A few years later (2018), she completed a Master of Science degree in Health Promotion at UD. Her research identified motivators and barriers to exercise among middle-aged African Americans as well as rates of death and disease among African Americans.

As an Exercise Physiologist at Cardio Kinetics, Serita worked with the senior population to improve their heart health. She later returned to the University of Delaware as Fitness Coordinator for Athletics & Recreation to improve student health outcomes - mental, physical, social, and emotional. Recently, she transitioned to Lincoln University, the nation's first degree-granting HBCU. Serving as the director of Wellness & Recreation, and as adjunct faculty for the Department of Health Science.  

With 5+ fitness certifications, Serita has worked in the fitness and health industry for nearly ten years, teaching formats such as Butts 'N Guts, Pilates, Les Mills BODYPUMP, indoor cycle, dance fitness, and more; she also earned a Health Coaching graduate certificate. Currently, Serita is completing a doctoral degree in Higher Education Leadership at Delaware State University.

Sensitive skin and occasional eczema flare-ups sparked an interest in soap. In September 2021, she made her first batch, and soapmaking has become her primary way to unplug.