About Latishia
Latishia James-Portis (she/her/hers) is the Program Director for Move to End Violence. A Master of Divinity graduate from Pacific School of Religion she lives — and works — at the intersection of faith, sexuality, reproductive and healing justice. Latishia also holds a bachelor of arts from Villanova University in Human Services, which is where she first understood that she could be a healer beyond a medical professional and began advocating for the wholeness of women and girls of color. Her startup spirit and witness of presence reaches beyond the physical walls of “the church.” Her service as a rape crisis counselor, hospital and abortion-clinic chaplain blossomed into Empathic Solutions; her consulting and counseling practice for people harmed by religious rhetoric and power-based violence. Her approach is trauma-informed and healing-focused, and steeped in womanist theology, experience as a Black queer woman, and reproductive justice work.
Most recently she was the Assistant Director of Prevention and Response at historic Spelman College, where she helped students navigate sexual misconduct and gender discrimination. Keen on innovating for more compassion, Latishia is also known as “Reverend Pleasure” and a founding member at O.School, a multimedia platform for shame-free sexual education. In addition to her role at MEV, Latishia is also the Vice President of the board at All-Options, and an advisory board member for Engaging Georgia’s Faith Communities for Promoting Reproductive Health study. When she’s not talking about the trinity of sex, God, and social justice, ask her about the transformative power of good food and a shared meal, the latest book she’s reading, or meet her on the dance floor. Otherwise you will find her on the couch with the love of her life and their fur baby Brea, catching up on their favorite shows.
