Diversity, Inclusion, and Wellness Author Shawnta Smith Sayner

A Holiday Story Is All About Love!

Let’s Share a Holiday Story is now available, joining the Hair, Superhero, and Hope stories in the Let’s Share series!

A Holiday Story was an easy one to tell… Because it’s my story! At some point or another I’ve occupied every point on the spectrum from Grinch and Scrooge to whomever you consider their polar opposites. (See what I did there?!) Thinking about what and how my family may choose to celebrate at any given time, I realized there were tons of books out there about many different holidays… But I couldn’t find any about the idea that regardless of what you do personally, there’s enough joy, fun, and love to go around when you welcome diversity and inclusion into your home and heart.

So… I wrote one! I hope you enjoy it. It’s extra special to me (and it’s my mom’s favorite, too)! You can find out more in the description and links below. Please take a look, and take a moment to share with your loved ones.

Thank You! And Happy Holidays!

Article Release: Boundaries & Wellbeing

Over the last few months, I’ve received new opportunities to expand my work by writing for more websites. I’ve been meaning to share each piece as they’ve posted, but as can be seen I’ve fallen more than a little behind on that plan! I’m happy to finally get one up to share now, though, especially because the timing seems just right.

The Anti-Hate Book You Didn’t Know You Needed

Let’s Share a Hope Story is now available!

Looking back on the evolution of this book fills me with so many emotions. I began writing it in November of 2016. Savvy readers will probably realize just what prompted my mind locking on to this topic. Yes, after the election that saw the selection of an individual who did little to hide his contempt for certain kinds of people, I painfully wondered how I could possibly explain to my child why certain rhetoric and behaviors were deemed acceptable by so many in our country. It was not an easy process. In the end, however, I found peace in the words I urged myself to write, to believe, and to share with others.

A lot has changed since that time, and not in the way that I’d hoped. Looking back, I can’t help but feel that the challenge we face now have grown exponentially. And while that makes believing in hope that much harder, it also makes it that much more necessary. With that in mind, I am happy to bring you Let’s Share a Hope Story. Because we need it more now than ever! For ourselves, our children, our communities, and our country. Please see the description below for details — and then blast it out into the universe for as many loved ones and strangers alike to feel its warmth.

Superhero Story Designed To Help Face School Anxiety And More

Let’s Share a Superhero Story is now available on paperback and ebook, joining A Hair Story in the Let’s Share series!

Originally written years ago as my response to fears that were waking my preschooler up night after night, working on A Superhero Story now has taken on a whole new meaning. A book about facing negative feelings by taking a moment to stop, breath, and visualize our inner superhero, it comes just in time to help the kids we love face ever-evolving back-to-school challenges. With constant changes and uncertainty, tough thoughts and emotions have become a part of daily life for so many of our families. I’m proud to be able to offer this book as a tool to use as part of our coping strategies, this fall and into the future. Check out the description below for more details.

It’s Here! It’s Finally Here! Let’s Share A Hair Story!

Let’s Share a Hair Story is finally here! Paperback and ebook versions became available on July 1st. Within days it was a #1 New Release in multiple categories, hitting a high #12 Best Seller in Hair Care & Styling. So what’s all the fuss about? Here’s the book description that had friends and strangers alike ready to take a closer look at Let’s Share a Hair Story…

Make Them Hear: Enough Is Enough

Years ago, I had a mind shift. I took a hard look at the sarcastic, self-described realist I’d become and recognized that I need to change. I worked hard on surrounding myself with people and resources that valued the things I wanted to work on: Positivity… Kindness… Moments, memories, and meaningful experiences over material things. It was a challenge, and it still is. There are no effortless days. Especially now that I work with kids, and have one of my own.

From Shawnta To Shawn And Back Again

I let my eighth grade English teacher call me Shannon for weeks. In fact, I can’t recall me being the one who finally corrected her. I don’t remember who it was, but I suppose I owe them a debt. I could’ve been Shannon the whole year, or at least about an hour each school day.

I Am Human: A Book Of Empathy (Review)

More About Me, New Release Details, & Free Gift Deadline (Updates)

If you’ve spent any time poking around this site, you’ve already come across a few things about me. I thought, though, since we’re really just getting things going on here, a bit more backstory may be in order for those who aren’t aware of how I got to this point. On top of that I’ve got a few timely updates to get out, so I’ve included those at the end as well.

What Could Be Missing From Your Diversity Toolkit For Kids

Since this country’s most recent renewed conversations about race, I’ve seen a surge of resources designed to help caregivers and educators of young children. Some are for helping white people with their understanding of the issues at hand; some are geared toward people of color. I’ve been excited to see many book lists for kids. Books about diversity, inclusion, history. Books with black and brown images and characters. Books about movements and leaders. These books are as wonderful as they are necessary. I hope they are added to homes and classrooms alike. And soon. I hope that one day, my own books will be among them.

These lists, these tools… They are great pieces of the puzzle that is talking to kids about race.

That said, there’s a big, broad topic that’s been missing in these discussions for me: Geography. I know it might seem strange, but geography literally opens a child’s mind to the world.