Anti-Bullying to Empowerment: Young Entrepreneur Sumer Strawbree's Affirmations Journey

🌟 Meet Sumer Strawbree, our YOUNGEST guest ever! This powerhouse entrepreneur, author, digital artist, and paid speaker is changing lives through the power of positive affirmations and self-love.   In this uplifting and inspiring episode of the HumanizeHer Podcast, Sumer Strawbree (along with a special appearance by her father and manager and our first male ally on the show - what better start than a father , who goes by Mastermind Statements). Sumer shares her journey from suffering severe low self-esteem as a bullied child to building a thriving brand centered around empowerment, self-love, and positive affirmations.   Sumer Strawbree launched her own publishing company and began her journey as an author and illustrator at just 12 years old. Now the creator of four affirmation coloring books and a national keynote speaker for girls' empowerment, Sumer has appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show and ABC News Live. She has independently sold more than 10,000 copies of her books worldwide - featuring positive images that empower black and brown girls to feel confident and beautiful. She is also a digital artist, showcasing her work in galleries - and we have her work in our podcast studio! Behind the résumé is a girl who was once bullied for her teeth and her hands - who stopped smiling, until her father taught her to rebuild her confidence one affirmation at a time. Today, she hands other girls that same superpower.   Key Highlights:   Turning Trauma into Triumph: Sumer reveals the origin story behind her mission; after accidentally knocking out her front teeth on a basketball hoop at her dad's tech space, she developed a crooked tooth and became the target of intense school bullying and later cyberbullying. Power of Daily Affirmations: Encouraged by her father in fifth grade, Sumer adopted a daily routine of reciting positive affirmations ("I am black, brown, and beautiful," "I am a winner," "I am fearless") to reprogram her subconscious mind and rebuild her self-esteem. Empowering Books & Inclusivity: Sumer discusses authoring four successful coloring and affirmation books, including her hit debut Black, Brown, and Beautiful (translated into multiple languages) and My Career Glow Up, which showcases young girls in diverse fields like software engineering and athletics. Finding Representation in Art: As a self-taught digital artist, Sumer shares a poignant moment from her early days: realizing that online drawing tutorials only featured lighter-skinned girls with straight hair. Encouraged by her dad, she shifted her focus to creating artwork representing Black and brown girls, which has now been showcased in galleries. I Am Confident University & Community Work: Sumer breaks down her affirmation and vision board workshops designed to help people of all ages identify limiting beliefs, take actionable steps toward their goals, and find self-love. A Model for Fatherhood and Allyship: In a heartwarming segment, Sumer's father joins the couch as the podcast's first male ally. He shares his approach to intentional parenting, drawing a "strategic business plan" for his daughter's growth, and instilling entrepreneurial confidence in her from a young age.   "You don't really feel a negative way about yourself until someone says something...it's my job to keep moving forward and help others build their confidence, too." - Sumer Strawbree   This episode is a masterclass in resilience, youth leadership, and the power of positive parenting - offering deep value for parents, young entrepreneurs, and anyone working to overcome self-doubt. For the parents listening, Sumer's story is a powerful wake-up call. We'll dive into how her father recognized the silent signs of bullying and giving parents the tools to better understand what their own kids might be going