Welcome back to Groove with Portia.
Today’s episode is about reclaiming power, purpose, and voice after unimaginable loss.
I’m joined by Lisa Council, a woman who has taken her grief and built a movement in honor of her sister, Linda, who was tragically murdered in a domestic violence incident over 30 years ago. For two decades, Lisa lived in a cycle of denial, anger, and survivor’s guilt—until she made a conscious decision to do grief differently.
Lisa shares how her healing began when she gave herself permission to transform the pain into purpose. From starting a nonprofit and hosting a podcast, to creating monthly community events and honoring her sister’s memory through action, Lisa has chosen to shift the narrative around grief—especially for Black women.
We talk about what it means to process loss over decades, how cultural expectations can silence our anger, and why healing is both intentional and deeply personal. Lisa also opens up about attending seven parole hearings for her sister’s murderer, and what it felt like when he was finally released this past September.
If you’ve ever questioned what justice looks like, or wondered how long it really takes to heal, this conversation is for you. Lisa reminds us that we can honor the past without staying trapped in it—and that healing isn’t about forgetting, but transforming.
Connect with Lisa Council: https://shiftinc.org/
