Goyeo Storytellers: Solace Porter ’23

For many college athletes outside of Oberlin College, their sport is the only activity they are involved in outside of their academic work because it takes such commitment. However, those at Oberlin tend to do much more than just sports and junior women’s lacrosse player Solace Porter certainly fits that mold. Balancing school, lacrosse and several other responsibilities is no problem for the law and society major.

“My first semester, I was like, ‘I'm gonna take it slow.’ Just do classes, see the workload and then once COVID-19 hit I realized that I wanted to go into the legal field and I was like, “okay, I need to really get the gears turning,” she said.

One social issue that weighs on the mind of Porter is inequality that Black people face from law enforcement and the legal system itself. 

“There's been a lot of talk about being a good ally and I think that's definitely super important and listening to voices that have been historically silenced. Giving them a platform to be heard, creating opportunities and providing support are of the utmost importance. I think that would be like the first step but there's a lot of work obviously,” she said. 

In addition to the legal internships and her role in the lacrosse team, Porter has also held several campus jobs including being a research assistant, peer advisor, SOAR mentor, COLE Scholar and a recruitment content consultant for the admissions office. 

“I like being busy. It's weird, especially in the spring when we're in season, I feel like it's better for me to be busy. It helps me concentrate on school and balance all that out.”

After graduating next year, Porter plans to go to law school, and is open to exploring somewhere new like when she came to Oberlin from her home in Guilford, Connecticut. 

On the Lacrosse side of things, Porter, who was unable to join the team last season as a second year away from campus, is very excited for the future of the team this season and beyond.

“The freshmen are amazing. We have a lot of talent and I think I was behind the curve because I wasn't here last year. Now there's two classes that I'm meeting for the first time and trying to get to know and play with but they're all really good players. Super sweet, very hard working girls.”

Porter has also shared her passion for the game across the globe with her father hailing from Barbados and many family members still living there, she makes frequent trips to the Caribbean island and decided to give back to the community through the sport of lacrosse. She and her family started an organization called “We Lax - Barbados” and with the help of Oberlin Head Coach Kim Russell and the Ohio Chapter of USA Lacrosse, they were able to secure equipment to hold a two-week clinic to teach the sport to local youth.

“My aunt sent out flyers to some after school programs she was familiar with and we were able to introduce the sport to girls aged 5-10 that wanted to do it. Myself and a friend from high school ran the clinic and afterwards my mom made up awards for all of the kids and we had a giant picnic, it was so fun and rewarding.”
 

As a Black athlete, Porter emphasizes the importance of the Black Student-Athlete Group’s (BSAG) role on campus.

“I think it's a really tight knit community, especially with athletes, like I'm a PAL too with Kofi [Asare] and other black athletes that are there as well. We definitely look out for each other and support each other.”

Porter, who almost didn’t go to Oberlin, only applying one day before the deadline, is happy with her choice to attend school here and join the lacrosse team.