Today we’d like to introduce you to Keianna Summers.
Hi Keianna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Keianna Summers and there is a lot about me, that is more than what meets the eye. I am a 23-year-old woman from South Florida. I was born and raised in Clewiston, FL. I am a model, photographer, production assistant, and future talk show host.
I come from a family of 7. My mom, dad, and four other brothers. To say a bit of my story would take ages honestly, but I will hit some major points in my life that have shaped me into who I am today, for the most part. My overall goal is to always inspire others, as well as show that being vulnerable is okay. Loving yourself is okay. So please take the time to read about who I am.
As a child, I grew up filled with joy and I have this shine about me that fills a room (maybe that’s why my last name is Summers)! I grew up singing, dancing, playing sports, playing instruments, and even creating crafts. I was always seen laughing or smiling. From the outside, I was never caught with any other emotion other than happiness! But, to say that every day was a happy day, would be a lie. My household was extremely toxic growing up. My mother struggled with schizophrenia her entire life as well as surviving domestic abuse. My father worked long hours and my brothers did their own thing. My oldest brother and I grew up taking care of our 3 younger siblings. It taught me responsibility, however many huge parts of my childhood were taken away from me. I had to help hold the household together, emotionally. As a child, that is something that really takes a toll on mental health.
Fast forward, despite the constant years of verbal abuse in my home, we had many moments of victory as well. I remember my happiest moments would be when my mom woke up, starts the morning off playing music so loud the neighbors could hear, and would just sing to all of us.
I grew into having depression and anxiety as early as 7 years old from what I can remember. However, I wasn’t allowed to show that I was sad. I had to put on this mask every single day at school, from elementary to college. I felt so invalid on having feelings. I would cut off all of my hair, have tantrums at home, crying constantly behind closed doors of my bedroom. So I started to write music and poems every day until I couldn’t anymore. This was my form of expression. I noticed that I would express myself through my creativity: writing, drawing, singing, making crafts, clothing, hair, and so much more. I developed many talents due to this outlet. Now, not every coping mechanism was healthy. I developed thoughts of suicide starting in 6th grade, which transitioned over to high school, which also led me to a toxic habit with food. I would stress eat every single day until it hurt. I found it hard to talk to anymore, often lying that I was okay and I only spoke about how happy I was. Happiness was true for me, yet it was only momentarily.
I moved out of my parents’ house at a young age, often couch hopping with friends until I went back home. I had a suicide attempt without many knowing, and recovery was difficult due to being alone during recovery.
I moved out to Orlando, FL in 2019 in hopes of starting a brand new life for myself while attending a university for Film and Media. Things started picking up for me so beautifully that life began to feel like a dance. I felt so alive and I learned how to find joy in every single moment, regardless of the bad. Yet, in 2021 I went through a traumatic incident where my supervisor at my job took me from my job location, assaulted me and that led me to file a police statement.
Phew! Okay I know that was a lot to take in so far, but I honestly have never opened up in that way before. I feel that it’s time I start to tell my story to the world. I say all of that to encourage everyone to understand one thing: Life is so valuable and precious. It is beautiful and we must take care of ourselves. It is okay to not be okay, yet dwelling there can make you feel defeated. My ultimate goal in life is to show others that no matter who may try to stop your shine or steal your voice, don’t ever give up on yourself. Things happen in life that we cannot explain sometimes. There are many things I wish I could change, yet it is time we move forward.
Today I have worked on many film sets, worked many concert events, walked in New York Fashion Week, LA Fashion week and so much more. I have met so many beautiful people in my life. I have a beautiful mentor, an amazing friend group, and I have even seen the growth of my family.
I am not perfect, I have bad days, yet I fully know and accept my worth. Many people in this world see a black woman as strong. Yes, I am strong and mighty, however, I want to break the stigma on what people “think” anxiety, depression, and trauma is. It is more than black and white in the world of psychology. If I wasn’t creative, I would be in the field of mental health. Black mental health matters and needs to be spoken about more. Mental health in women period needs to be spoken about more.
I love everyone who is reading this and I give a shoutout to God in my life, my pastors, my family and friends, and those who love and support me.
I inspire you all to be easy on yourselves and love yourselves. Look in the mirror today and tell yourself this: I AM VALUABLE. I AM WORTHY. I AM ALIVE. I AM FREE. I AM BEAUTIFUL.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road at all! Some struggles include:
– dealing with anxiety and depression
– traumatic experiences
– covid pandemic
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a creative located in Orlando, FL. I find myself doing multiple things that are in the field of entertainment. Photography, video assist, set up and tear down crew, producing events and/or sets, behind the scenes in film work, and even clean up crew! I realized that no matter what I do in life, it all comes down to team building, teamwork, execution, and networking. I am most known for never giving up honestly. I make many mistakes, but I also grow and give everything I do a try. I put forth my best effort to be the hardest worker there is as well as creating an environment where people can feel loved, heard, and seen for who they are. I am most proud of myself this year. I have gone through so much and each time I have come out alive, grateful, and positive. I usually find it extremely hard to be proud of myself, but this year I can say that I am very proud. Proud to have build connections that move like the roots of a tree, connecting others together and ultimately building lasting relationships.
What sets me apart from everyone else? I would say my ability to just talk to others effortlessly and allowing others to feel seen and heard. I don’t even know how to explain it but I just love loving on people, and I love showing people how they can find their true self. So maybe what sets me apart is that I know who I am regardless of what I go through.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
TAKE THE RISK! 100 percent take it! I have taken so many major risks and I can give insight from both the perspectives of victory and defeat.
I will give an example.
I love to sing. I have been singing since I was a child, playing the piano, and other instruments. However, I have always wanted to perform in person to show off my love for singing. I was so terrified to sing in front of people and as I got older, I wanted to perform at my high school’s talent show. I waited a whole 3 years to do anything, and I realized that time wasn’t going to stop for anyone, so I had to make a decision for myself. I decided to enter the talent show my 4th year of high school. For me, it was the scariest thing I could have ever done.
But I took the risk, and I did it scared. Sometimes, we have to do things even when we are scared. I find that it is very difficult to speak in smaller crowds, than in front of bigger crowds. That sounds very weird but hey, it is a thing!
So, I encourage anyone who is wanting to risk something, to take the risk whether you are scared of not, because you never know where that may take you in your life. It may help you to understand just how powerful your voice is or just how good you are at something.
So take the risk, do it scared, and make the best out of trying new things.
Push anxiety to the side, revive those beautiful habits you have, and launch yourself into something great.
Contact Info:
- Email: keimagmedia@gmail.com | keiannasummers@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/keianna.summers
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/keiannaasummers
