ssanyuspeaks

Happy Juneteenth!💙❤️🤍

Ssanyu won the Foundation Scholarship? Let’s taco-bout it! 💜💙🌮

Tag in the comments!

📸 - oh.its.hana

* Thanks to and the scholarships, I am working towards my goal of free education!

I got to be a member of the audience to watch live! Can you believe it? Then, I hung out some more in New York and had a very nice day in the city.

I wore my sash all day, had the opportunity to share about the pageant, and people had so many questions!

Between yesterday and today, I had the opportunity to collect 157 pounds of donated food to a NJ food bank, , with the help of my church family at !

I am immensely grateful for everyone who contributed to this effort and made it possible to collect enough food for 131 MEALS! THAT’S MAJOR!!!😆

Thanks again to for organizing this effort for seniors to do a food drive.

High school Ssanyu = OUT!🎓🥳

Thank you for choosing me for the 2023 Economic Empowerment Award for my work though Brown Kids Read ()!

Tonight was definitely for the books (pun intended😉)!❤️

Next week, I’ll officially be a high school graduate! Then, I’ll be off to The Mecca!❤️💙

I cannot believe that 12 years went by this fast. I look at the little kindergarten graduate in this picture and I’m so proud! Elementary, middle and high school definitely had their ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade those experiences for the world.

Thank you to everyone who has poured into be up until this point — I promise that I’ll make you proud at Howard!

New headshot alert! 🚨

Just a quick reminder to all of you teenpreneurs out there — update your headshots! Alot of the time, people forget to invest in pictures, but they truly do make a difference for your personal branding. 😉

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In a few days, This Barbie will be on campus for Howard University’s () admitted students day!!!😆

I am so excited to go on this trip and visit Howard’s campus again to see my future home!

Two days, one school!

Today, I got to go back to and share my children’s book, Suubi’s Sunny Smile, with the awesome 1-4th grade students! Last week, I did workshops with the 5-8th grade students.

We discussed dental hygiene, cultural appreciation, and anti-bullying. Most importantly, we discussed the value of intentional kindness!

On top of this, I had the chance to educate these students about HBCUs, the pageant, and why it’s important to be an advocate for social issues.

So…today I did a thing!

I had my very first interview on a real set today with ! What do you think of my African print skirt?👀

I had the opportunity to speak about the outstanding scholarship pageant and my non profit organization, .

I am so honored to have had this opportunity and I can’t wait to see what comes next!😆

Do you agree? Answer yes or no I’m the comments!

I am a firm believer that when a business owner/business have a unique and unforgettable brand, I am more attracted to the products! It’s so beneficial to embrace your individuality to create a brand that aligns with who you are as a person instead of trying to follow the crowd of other creators in a similar niche.

Let’s talk about March!

We’re getting closer to spring and graduation season for many of us! What are you looking forward to in the month of March and why?

Let me know in the comments!

Miss HBCU Teen 2023 👑🧡❤️

This is for my sister queens! Today was AMAZING!!!

It was so fun to meet all of you and get to connect in person. I am so excited for the show tomorrow and to see who wins the crown as the next .

Regardless of who wins, this journey has been fruitful and worth every moment.

So, you tell me! How was your day today SQ’s?

Have you ordered your tickets yet???

It’s pageant weekend and there’s no time to waste! I will be competing as Miss New Jersey in the Miss HBCU Teen Pageant to become the next .

Get your virtual tickets for the March 4th show at 6:00pm via the link in my bio!

Throwback Thursday!!!

What would you rate my outfits on a scale of 1-10?👀

Here are some pictures of your current Miss New Jersey HBCU Teen: me!!!

I think I was a little cutie pie😌

But as you can see, I’ve always had s***k and energy, and as an adult, my spirit has not changed!

Also, there’s still time left to purchase your tickets for the pageant on March 4th! Visit the link in my bio and use the code “SL23” to grab yours now!

As I prepare to compete in the pageant, I think about all of the amazing HBCU- affiliated people who I will have the opportunity to connect with.

My main objective is to meet new people, learn about their passions and find creative ways to work together.

It’s important to view networking as relationship-building because nobody wants to just stand there and listen to you talk about yourself instead of having an actual conversation.

Do you have any networking tips? Let me know in the comments!

This is a question that I often ask other teenpreneurs who need hep developing their business/personal brand. It is ESSENTIAL when establishing yourself as the star amongst a crowd of competitors.

What makes your brand unique? Let me know in the comments!

Share this post!

Have you been feeling stressed at all lately? Take the time to breathe and relax. I recently learned a lesson in a mental health workshop through the pageant about a breathing method that has helped me destress in high-intensity situations.

Here are the steps:

1. Breathe in for 4 counts

2. Hold your breath for 4 counts

4. Exhale for 4 counts

Doing this a few times can help your mind reset and body release the stress.

Try it and let me know how you feel in the comments!

I gotta be prepared! I already carry a copy of Suubi’s Sunny Smile with me regularly along with a few business cards. It is so important to ALWAYS be prepared for a potential customer because you never know who you’ll meet.

I have made several unexpected book sales from simply bringing my book wherever I go. It is so beneficial! Especially because during pageant weekend, I will be surrounded by outstanding HBCU alum and possibly educators who would be interested in bringing Suubi’s story to their school!

It’s so important to examine failure as an entrepreneur to continue to grow. One big failure I had was creating an ineffective business structure for Brown Kids Read () and being forced to pivot to a new service model.

How about you? Let me know in the comments!

Sometimes, I do fall into the habit of comparing myself to others, even though I try my best not to. It can be hard to feel like I haven’t accomplished enough or I’m not progressing as much as I want to. However, I have to remember that at the end of the day, I just have to do my thing and everything will fall into place.

Have you ever compared yourself to another teenpreneur? How did you feel about this? Be vulnerable. Let me know in the comments!

It’s black history month!! This post is an opportunity to share and promote black businesses run by today’s youth.

Tag a black teenpreneur in the comments so that we can all grow together!

It’s black history month!! This post is an opportunity to share and promote black businesses run by today’s youth.

Tag a black teenpreneur in the comments so that we can all grow together!

I’ll probably be in school for my masters degree!

I love thinking about the future because I have so many different goals and aspirations. It’s really great to envision yourself at a certain point in the future so that it’s easier to work toward that image.

What’s your answer? Let me know in the comments!!

My biggest role model is my mom, especially because we are so similar!

My mother, , is a phenomenal organizer, speaker, and leader. Not only does she excel at anything she puts her mind to, but she knows how to encourage others to do the same.

My mother has been there for me since day 1 (literally) and has always invested her time and sacrificed for my businesses and aspirations.

I adore my mother and her willingness to put her own desires aside to help other people. She is so intelligent, classy, and her humor is UNMATCHED!

Who is your biggest role model and why? Also, feel free to tag them! Share in the comments😆

Let’s talk about my participation in the pageant! Please follow my pageant page, .hbcuteen!!!

A few months ago, a fellow Howard University applicant placed me in a groupchat with the previous Miss HBCU Teen crown recipient (.b) d she shared her experience as a pageant contestant and encouraged myself and a few others to submit an application.

When I went on the website, I realized that THE APPLICATION WAS DUE AT 11:59!!! I started this application at 7:30pm, wrote some essays, filled in my information, and by the grace of God, I was selected as Miss New Jersey HBCU Teen after completing a Zoom interview the following week.

I love this pageant’s motto, “The Crown is Already Yours, So Wear It” because it is a true testament to the message I spread as a teenpreneur. My goal as a contestant and hopefully winner of this pageant is to heighten my platform to show every young child out there that reaching your goals is never impossible. I am an athlete, author, entrepreneur, public speaker, scholar, and so much more. I’ve accomplished so much with the support of my community because I am never afraid to be bold. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it!

My BHAG is to GO TO COLLEGE FOR FREE!!!

For as long as I can remember, my mom has asked me what my BHAG is. And one thing I know about myself is that I’m never afraid to set a large goal. I’ve always encouraged others to set a BHAG because you never know what doors of opportunity may open when you’re absolutely determined to reach a specific goal. So my question to you is…

What is your BHAG?? Let me know in the comments!

My BHAG is to GO TO COLLEGE FOR FREE!!!

For as long as I can remember, my mom has asked me what my BHAG is. And one thing I know about myself is that I’m never afraid to set a large goal. I’ve always encouraged others to set a BHAG because you never know what doors of opportunity may open when you’re absolutely determined to reach a specific goal. So my question to you is…

What is your BHAG?? Let me know in the comments!

This year has been PHENOMENAL!!!

I am so thankful for all of the opportunities and doors that were opened for my business and future career in 2022. I met so many amazing educators, made new teenpreneur friends, and grew my platform even more. I was even selected as Miss New Jersey (.hbcuteen) in the scholarship pageant!

My goal with Ssanyu Speaks is to inspire other teenagers to use their passions and skills to leave a positive impact on the world. As a high school senior who us about to leave for college, I plan to bring that mission with me wherever I land!

I can’t wait to see what 2023 holds!

Mine was definitely having the opportunity to speak at the this year and see speak about the 1619 Project. I met so many phenomenal and dedicated educators, networked, and gave away 70 copies of Suubi’s Sunny Smile!

Another honorable mention is winning Miss New Jersey in the scholarship pageant and having the opportunity to compete for the national title in March 2023.

I am so excited for 2023 and the different opportunities and doors that are planned for my future. Tomorrow is my 18th birthday, in March I will be releasing my second book, Chi-Chi’s Toothy Grin, and I am also graduating in June! Big things are happening.

How about you? What was your biggest accomplishment this year and what do you look forward to for 2023?

The last 2 months can be described with one word. Crazy. Between homework and applications and scholarships and all of my businesses, my schedule has definitely been packed. I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving and winter break!

What have you been up to in the past few months? Have you met any of the goals that you set at the beginning of the year?

One of my favorite things to do as a teenpreneur is collaborate with like-minded people. Not only is it beneficial for both of us, but I genuinely have fun! Whether is be an Instagram live, or just reposting each other’s content, promoting eachother is a great way to build community and build both businesses.

Teenpreneurs, why do you think it’s important to collaborate with one another? Let me know in the comments!

Have you ever offered a discount? If so, why and what was the percentage? Let me know in the comments!

The largest discount I offer for Suubi’s Sunny Smile is a 30% off purchase price for libraries and stores who want to purchase copies of my book. Also, there are discounts for people who purchase Suubi’s Sunny Smile in large quantities.

Time-bound discounts are useful when you want to give potential customers a sense of urgency. If they feel like they’ll miss out on a good deal, they’re more likely to purchase from you.

Discounts like mine where they are offered to certain groups are also useful because now they have an incentive to come back and purchase more copies.

A few weeks ago, Ms. Johanna from asked me to speak at a Girl Scouts Business Pitch Fair! I was elated and couldn’t wait to see all of the ideas that these girls had.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to share my presentation, ‘Using Your Voice to Change the World’, and the girls were so inspired. One even came up to me and said “When I grow up, I’m going to be like you!”

I almost cried!😂 Then, the girls began designing the tri-fold boards to create their business pitch and it was the cutest sight in the WORLD!🥹

I met so many intuitive girls who have such innovative ideas. There a few who I really think should go on a few years from now.

I love doing in-person events and speaking to young people!

Teenpreneurs, have you ever met a kid with an AWESOMEEE business idea? Where did you meet them? Let me know in the comments!