(BALTIMORE — November 20, 2025) — Mark your calendars! BMORENews.com’s 23rd Anniversary Benefit is set for Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Douglass-Myers Maritime Museum in Baltimore. RSVP today at bmorenews23.eventbrite.com.
A hallmark of Baltimore’s Black business and media community, the annual celebration spotlights the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards, honoring individuals whose leadership and service uplift their industries and communities. Since 2011, BMORENews and its partners have recognized more than 3,000 honorees across nine U.S. cities for their contributions to Black entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
This year introduced an exciting new feature — the Black Wall Street Youth Awards — highlighting the next generation of changemakers, visionaries, and emerging business leaders shaping the future of Black enterprise.
Among this event’s honorees is Lafon Porter.
Lafon Porter is a Maryland-licensed attorney serving as Counsel at IBM, where he has built a distinguished 38-year career spanning management, human resources, marketing, technical training, career development, contract negotiations, and corporate counsel. He also practices in estate planning, personal injury, and real estate law.
Lafon holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Towson University, a Master of Science in Telecommunications from Johns Hopkins University, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Together with his wife Gersha and daughter Jaelin, Lafon owns Porter Premier Homes, a real estate team with United Real Estate Executives in Owings Mills. Their firm serves home buyers, sellers, and investors throughout Baltimore City and surrounding counties while also providing professional coaching services. He is the author of Keep It Simple & Sexy, a guide to nurturing healthy, loving relationships.
A committed servant leader, Lafon serves on the advisory board for Towson University’s Fisher College of Science and Mathematics. As an active member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, he currently serves as President of the 103-year-old Baltimore City Graduate Chapter, Zeta Sigma Chapter, leading more than 325 active members. His community work includes mentoring young people and educating families on estate planning.
Most recently, Lafon championed efforts to preserve the historic Pleasant Yacht Club—Maryland’s only African-American yacht club—securing legislative support to protect it from planned wetlands conversion on Tradepoint Atlantic property. He is also part of a team working to revitalize Dowden Chapel, a historic African-American church in Nottingham with deep ties to the Underground Railroad.
Lafon has been married to his business partner and best friend, Gersha Porter, for 34 years. They are proud parents of two children: Jaelin, a Howard University graduate, and Dawson, a Towson University graduate.
