Eva’s Journey: Finding Direction, Inspiration, and Her Voice Through Mentorship

When Eva Tortora first discovered The City Tutors, it wasn’t through a formal introduction or campaign. “I was on a mailing list, maybe from BRIC or Brooklyn Academy of Music,” she said. “One day I thought, ‘I’ve seen these emails a million times—maybe I should actually click.’” That small moment of curiosity opened the door to a community of mentorship she hadn’t realized she needed.

A lifelong creative, Eva is a writer and artist with a track record that includes The Daily News, Oprah Magazine, Money Magazine, and Good Housekeeping. While she had the talent and drive, she often found herself searching for guidance, structure, and someone to say: “Yes, this is possible.” She wanted access to people who were working in the industries she admired—people who could see her potential and reflect it back.

Her first mentorship was with Jamie Parrish from Paramount. “I remember I was outside a library, talking to her on the phone. It was incredibly inspiring and motivating,” Eva said. “I only needed that one session, but it stayed with me.” For Eva, sometimes one conversation was all it took to spark something lasting.

In other cases, those sparks turned into more sustained connections—like with Ralph Blumenthal, a journalist and author, whose mentorship extended over email and Zoom. “He really helped with my writing. It was motivating, inspiring—an honor just to speak with him.”

Every mentor offered something different. Christian Robinson brought structure, encouraging Eva to build a resume and approach freelancing with more intention. Julio Colon and Jamie Parrish helped her think about branding and social media, introducing her to tools and strategies she continues to use today. “They were really into social media, and I started using Meta tools on Facebook because of them. That changed how I thought about reaching people.”

Events through The City Tutors were also a source of encouragement. At one event, she met Sandra. “She was the best. So motivating. She even said, ‘You’re chosen to do what you’re doing.’ That stuck with me,” Eva shared. “She talked about family and creativity with so much honesty and humor—it was powerful.”

Before City Tutors, Eva had access to spaces that supported her creativity, but not many opportunities to speak with professionals in her field—people currently doing the work, and open to sharing their experiences. “There just wasn’t enough access to people who were actually in it—who were at the top of their game and willing to reach out a helping hand.”

What stood out most wasn’t just the career guidance—it was the human connection. “More than anything, it’s about inspiration. It’s someone saying, ‘You can do this. You can stay on the path. You can pursue your dream.’”

Today, Eva continues her writing and art, while also working with a mentor focused on helping her stay organized and aligned with her goals. She’s become a passionate advocate for The City Tutors—offering to share flyers, promote the program on social media, and recommend it to friends.