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Jalina Porter is the first Black woman to serve as the principal deputy spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State.
In 2015, when she pulled double-duty as a Capitol Hill staffer and a professional dancer for the Washington Wizards, Jalina Porter told The Hill that her interest in public service partially stemmed from the desire to keep the world connected and help make it a better place. Years later, in May 2021, Porter became the first Black woman to serve as principal deputy spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, continuing her drive to make the world a better place. In addition to her duties with the State Department, Porter is an active leader of various organizations, including the National Peace Corps Association, the Council on Foreign Relations and The Links, Inc., an international service organization. Her passion for helping others was a key reason why the Peace Corps bestowed her with the Franklin H. Williams Award, which honors "ethnically diverse returned Peace Corps volunteers" dedicated to a life of community service. Porter is an inspiration, both for her career achievements and for her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others.