KATRINA MARIA PORTER
Katrina Maria Porter is the daughter of Legendary Bassist and Grammy Award Lifetime Achievement Winner George Porter, Jr. and the late Aralean Delores Porter. Katrina is fifty-six years old; the mother of Ciara Porter-Corpening and grandmother to Calliope (ka-lie-o-pee) and Isis Corpening. With her fiancé by her side, Dyon Hall, Katrina was honored to be selected and accept the role as 2026 Zulu Governess.
Katrina was educated in the Archdiocese of New Orleans Catholic Schools, graduating in 1986 from Mercy Academy High School. She attended the University of New Orleans and Southern University at New Orleans where she studied Criminal Justice. She also received her degree in Paralegal Studies from Cameron College. Life keeps lifing for Katrina. She finds joy in everything she does. Her love for New Orleans is unfounded, in all aspects of the culture, from its music, festivals and second lines. As a lifelong member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, she served on the Parish Council, various committees, an alto in the gospel chair and Tyronne Foster & The Arc Singers Gospel Choir. Following in her grandmother and aunts’ footsteps, she served in various leadership positions including Grand Lady of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, Court #22. Served as treasurer of the Electrified Ladies Social & Pleasure Club and affectionally called Nola Kit Kat as a charter member of the NOLA Lolas and VIPinks Social & Pleasure Club.
A wearer of many hats, she began her employment with The Honorable Renee’ Gill Pratt as her Legislative Aid in the Louisiana State Legislature, District 91 and her Chief of Staff for the New Orleans City Council, District B. Katrina then moved right across the hall to work under the former Mayor’s, The Honorables Marc Morial, Ray Nagin, Mitch Landrieu and current Mayor LaToya Cantrell. As the Managerial Services Specialist for the Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, she manages over thirty million dollars in FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Funds to include the current Zulu Lounge Elevation Project.
Katrina’s love for planning weddings and corporate events sparked her to start her small business Julane’s Bridal & Events in 2004. She has cultivated an expertise in planning and execution that make her services popular and her delivery impeccable, just mention it and she will run with it. In 2018, Katrina started a non-profit organization, Ara’s Love Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer and Lupus Awareness in honor of her late mother who succumbed to Pancreatic Cancer and Lupus in 2017. Katrina has been able to raise over thirty thousand dollars for monetary support to award direct gifts to patients, caregivers and volunteers to help with medicine, bills or whatever is needed. The centerpiece of her fundraising efforts are the annual Ara’s Love Purple Ribbon Brunch and The Purple Passion Gala.
Being the child of a musician, Katrina was able to see the world of music through her father. He introduced Katrina to countless celebrities both local and national from a young age, so being star struck was never an option. Instead, he taught her the music business and how to cater to the most important needs of an artist. With these learned skills, Katrina accepted a position with Power to Exhale, Inc. as the Logistics & Artist Relations Director for Power to Exhale. As a member of Exhale NOLA, 93rd Chapter, and the P2E Executive Team, she assisted Founder & Visionary Charla Young with planning and execution of the Real Power Summit, Power Girls Summit, Caribbean Fest on Land (Cancun & Aruba) and Caribbean Fest at Sea (Jamaica & Bahamas). In this capacity, Katrina was able to work directly with Legendary National AwardWinning Artists such as Charlie Wilson, The Isley Brothers, Doug E Fresh, Fantasia, Method Man & Red Man, and Too Short just to name a few. On May 10, 2025, the P2E family and Katrina lost their founder and her dear friend Charla, in a tragic car accident. Charla will be forever in her and the P2E family hearts.
Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras are Katrina’s favorite national holidays (lol) next to her birthday. Katrina attended her first Zulu Ball at the Rivergate with her uncle & Zulu member MacDonough Robinson. From 2015 to present day, Katrina is a member of the Zulu Rascals Walking Krewe under the late Alcide “Butch” Bennett and Captain Christoper Wyre. From 2016-2018, she served as Lady Lieutenant and Krewe Secretary for the Mayor’s Krewe and Mandela Krewe under Captain Dorian Rawles and First Lady Cendi Rawles. In 2022 she had the honor of being a Queens Attendant for King Randolph “Rudy” Davis and his beautiful Queen Chrystal Guillemet. As you can see, Katrina is no stranger to Zulu.
Katrina wishes to extend her heartfelt gratitude, a huge hug and a million Thank You’s to 2026 Zulu Governor Dennis “Buckjump” Linehan. Growing up watching the Zulu parade on the corner of Jackson & Baronne, Katrina never dreamed that one day such an honor would be bestowed upon her. It’s just simply not short of amazing!! From day one, she would say to Dennis, “it’s all about you;” And yet, he would say “no, it’s about “The Experience.”
Congratulations Dennis “Buckjump” Linehan on your reign as the 50th and 2026 Zulu Governor, I don’t know anyone more deserving! Happy Anniversary G Phi G. This experience is priceless and unlike no other…why? Because we are the “Super Krewe” babee!! Let’s Roll, Let’s Buckjump!!!