Nurtured in a 26-floor apartment building located in a middle-class area, it is no surprise that she grew to be intrigued by social issues and heritage. As an inner-city urban youth, Portionté was surrounded by children from many different cultures. She developed a thirst for knowledge and a strong desire to help the underprivileged. Portionté began writing poetry as a form of relaxation and release. Her poetry is influenced by experiences in her life, as well as experiences in the lives of countless family members and friends. The fact that Portionté is intrigued with Black history also shines through in her poetry. I’m Still Growing: Vol. 1 displays heartfelt emotion throughout.