Ashanti Porter leads as a principal because she first leads as a mother. As the proud mother of two sons, her work in education is deeply personal. Every decision she makes is guided by a simple question: Is this good enough for my children? That standard informs how she leads, how she advocates, and how she builds school communities.

Ashanti serves as the Principal of Leith Walk Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore City Public Schools, where she leads a diverse Pre-K–8 community with a focus on equity, inclusion, and high-quality instruction for every student. With over 20 years in education, she has served as a classroom teacher, instructional leader, and school administrator, bringing both instructional expertise and systems-level leadership to her role.

Her leadership centers on strengthening inclusive instructional practices, building collaborative professional learning communities, and cultivating a school culture rooted in the belief that all students are leaders capable of excellence.

Ashanti holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, a Master’s degree in Teaching, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies focused on principal preparation and leadership readiness. She is a proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,