A Man with Vision - Dr. Henry L. Porter

Dr. Henry L. Porter is an encourager - an agent of success - an engineer of progress - a master of perception: he can see possibilities in others that they do not see in themselves. And, he has the power to help them achieve it - to become "towers of greatness".

Dr. Porter graduated valedictorian from Booker High School, earned his Bachelor's degree in mathematics from Florida A. and M. University, Tallahassee. While an undergraduate scholar, he directed singing groups and was active in community and student affairs. He was president of the Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society and the Mathematics Club; Polemarch (president) of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; Student Dean of Academic Affairs (SGA); and, first student director of the Florida A. and M. (FAMU) Gospel Choir. At 21, after graduating with honors, he was awarded a Ford Foundation Doctoral Fellowship, and immediately pursued the Doctor of Mathematics degree at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.

In 1969, at God's call, Dr. Porter returned to Sarasota to work with the local youths in Sarasota and Manatee counties. He founded the Westcoast Gospel Chorus of Florida, the premiere singing group for the Westcoast Centers. The chorus increased in numbers and purpose and, in 1971,God instructed him to start the Henry L. Porter Evangelistic Association, Incorporated, a non profit, 501(c)3 organization, of which he is the Chief Executive Officer. Continual growth broadened the scope of the organization, and in 1980, the Westcoast Center for Human Development and the Westcoast Center for World Evangelism were birth under the umbrella of the HLPEA, Inc.. The May, 1981, Cover Story of Charisma Magazine featured Dr. Porter: The Master's Touch, How Henry Porter is helping Youth Reach Their Potential in Christ.

At age 25, the chairman of the Mathematics Department invited him to return to his Alma Mater to serve on the faculty, making him one of the youngest faculty members at the university. While there, he established the Spiritual Growth and Enlightenment Prayer Groups, which rapidly expanded to the University of Florida, Florida State University, University of South Florida and New College.

Dr. Porter's international travels began in 1974 with missionary work in Kingston, Jamaica. In 1985, a Nigerian college invited him to participate in the graduation ceremonies. He took a large team to the country's interior including Lagos, Port Hartcourt, Aba, Zaria, Kaduna and later to the University of Nigeria in Nsukka. Travels in 1987 took him to Singapore where he attended the Invitational Young leaders Conference (Lusanne Committee).

In 1976, he married Cynthia E. Johnson, his partner and friend. They have three sons, Henry, Étienne Jaberly, and Zacchur Chalome; and, one daughter, Tsadok Hazel.

He founded The Westcoast School For Human Development (1981, grades K-12) and served as the principal from 1981 to 2000. Westcoast School aired in the national CBS special, Street Stories, which highlighted the school's unique approach to educating youth, featuring Mrs. Cynthia Porter. In 1999, the NAACP awarded its Freedom Award in Education to the Westcoast School for Human Development.

In 1986, the United Bible College, Orlando, Florida, awarded him the Doctorate of Letters. In 1989, Trinity College, in conjunction with Honolulu University and Golden State University, awarded him the Doctor of Divinity degree. The college established The Henry L. Porter School of Music in 1991. He was appointed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria to serve on the Senate Advisory Board on Education, 1992. He sits as visiting professor for Trinity College of Ministerial Arts, Aba, Nigeria. He founded the Westcoast Theological Seminary, and the Westcoast School for Human Development Foundation, Inc.