We were lucky to catch up with Shanta Miller White recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shanta, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Life often presents us with unexpected challenges that demand difficult decisions. For me, that moment came after a horrific attack on my child by her bully. As a dedicated salon owner, my career was more than just a job—it reflected my hard work, creativity, and passion. Yet, when faced with the aftermath of my child’s trauma, I knew my role as a mother had to come first.

The attack left my child emotionally shattered and physically wounded. The incident not only shook our family but also revealed the harsh reality of bullying and the profound impact it can have. My child needed me—not just to comfort her, but to be her unwavering advocate, her voice when she felt silenced, and her strength when she felt weak.

Balancing the demands of my salon with the intense care my child required became impossible. I faced a heart-wrenching decision: continue pursuing my career, or step away to support my child and fight for change fully. Ultimately, I chose my family. Leaving my salon behind was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. It meant stepping away from financial stability and a profession I loved. But as I spent time with my child, helping her rebuild her confidence and overcome her trauma, I realized that this sacrifice was necessary.

This journey also ignited a new purpose in me. I became deeply involved in anti-bullying advocacy, determined to ensure no other child would have to endure what mine had. I started working with local schools, speaking at events, and partnering with organizations to promote kindness, inclusion, and safety.

The choice I made wasn’t easy, but it was the right one. While I walked away from my salon, I found something even more powerful—a mission to create a better, safer world for children like mine. And in doing so, I discovered a new sense of purpose that continues to guide me every day.

Shanta, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Shant’a Miller White is a Pioneer, Entrepreneur, Best Selling Author, Youth / Community
Advocate and Mother. As Executive Director and founder of the not-for-profit organization
“Parents Against Bullying, (P.A.B.), and CEO of P.U.S.H. Consultant, LLC (Patience,
Understanding, Stability, to Handling your business). Miller is known for advocating for
thousands of children and families across America.
Miller White launched Parents Against Bullying after her family experienced firsthand the
traumatic effects of a horrible bullying incident that involved her daughter. The attack
caused her to confront the issue of bullying head-on and she found herself dealing with
medical, safety, and other concerns which severely impacted her family.
As a result of this incident, she turned that negative situation into a positive one and vowed
to do everything in her power to prevent another child, family, or community from dealing
with the stress and trauma of bullying that her family endured.
Miller White has since dedicated her life to serving families everywhere and stamping
out bullying wherever it raises its ugly head. Through the efforts of Parents Against Bullying
and P.U.S.H. LLC. She provides annual events, monthly workshops, weekly mentoring
sessions, summer camps, and school visits, as well as assists community centers and other
organizations develop and provide strategies to deal with the issue head-on.
Her efforts have garnered recognition and support from individuals and organizations such
as: Former First Lady Michelle Obama, the Former United States Attorney General’s office,
United States Senator Mark Warner and Commonwealth Attorney Howard Gwynn.
Other recognition includes the 2024 WTKR News Channel 3 Everyday Hero Award, the 2024
ABZ Zeta Community Award, the 2023 Nonprofit of the Year Award, the Exchange Club’s
2021 The Book of Golden Deeds, the 2020 Unsung Hero Award from the Virginia
Commonwealth Office of the Attorney General. In addition, Miller White has been featured
in or appeared on national and local news organizations like CNN, THE New York
Time’s, beenetworknews.com, WAVY-TV 10 (NBC), WTKR TV 3 (CBS), 97. 3 (PRN) the Eagle,
95.7 (WVKL) R & B and others.
Miller White’s message is one of healing, restoration, elevation, and growth at thousands of
events throughout the year. Her No-Bully Zones and other events raise awareness and
instill best practices that are powered by a call to action. She motivates all not to just be
great… but exceedingly great!

Have you ever had to pivot?

This journey also ignited a new purpose in me. I became deeply involved in anti-bullying advocacy, determined to ensure no other child would have to endure what mine had. I started working with local schools, speaking at events, and partnering with organizations to promote kindness, inclusion, and safety.

Life continued to test me. While growing up as an anti-bullying executive director and consultant, I faced my battles—a fight with cancer and the painful process of divorce. Yet, through it all, I remained committed to my mission. Balancing surgeries, emotional upheaval, and professional duties challenged me like never before, but I refused to give up. Knowing that my efforts could help protect and empower vulnerable children kept me pushing forward. God is the foundation of all of this.

The choice I made wasn’t easy, but it was the right one. While I walked away from my salon, I found something even more powerful—a mission to create a better, safer world for children like mine. And in doing so, I discovered a new sense of purpose that continues to guide me every day.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Our anti-bullying non-profit has seen remarkable growth over time, both within our local community and on a broader scale. This success stems from a combination of strategic efforts, impactful programming, and a dedicated approach to social media engagement. Here’s how we’ve built and sustained this growth:
1. Consistent Messaging and Branding
• We established a clear and impactful brand identity that resonates with our mission. By maintaining consistent visuals, language, and tone across all platforms, our audience recognizes our content instantly.
• Our messaging emphasizes empathy, empowerment, and education, ensuring alignment with our core values.
2. Engaging and Informative Content
• We focus on producing content that not only informs but also inspires action. This includes success stories, testimonials from students and parents, and practical anti-bullying strategies.
• By sharing interactive content such as quizzes, infographics, and short videos, we have increased engagement and retained audience interest.
3. Community Collaboration
• Partnering with local schools, community centers, and youth organizations has amplified our impact. By featuring collaborative efforts on social media, we have attracted new supporters and volunteers.
• Highlighting partnerships has also allowed us to expand our reach and establish credibility with broader networks.
4. Strategic Social Media Campaigns
• We run themed campaigns that align with key observances like National Bullying Prevention Month. These campaigns feature hashtags, challenges, and shareable content that encourage widespread participation.
• Collaborations with influencers, educators, and mental health professionals have bolstered our campaigns, increasing visibility and engagement.
5. Active Audience Engagement
• By responding promptly to comments, messages, and inquiries, we foster a supportive and welcoming online community.
• Hosting Q&A sessions, live streams, and virtual workshops have strengthened relationships with our audience.
6. Showcasing Impact
• Regularly sharing impact reports, success metrics, and community feedback demonstrates the tangible outcomes of our programs. This transparency builds trust and encourages continued support.
7. Empowering Ambassadors and Volunteers
• We’ve empowered volunteers, educators, and students to become advocates by sharing their experiences and insights on social media. This grassroots approach has been instrumental in expanding our influence organically.
Results and Future Outlook
Thanks to these strategies, our online presence has grown steadily, allowing us to reach new communities and inspire action far beyond our local base. Moving forward, we aim to implement even more interactive campaigns such as our “NO BULLY ZONE”, expand partnerships, and create additional resources that support anti-bullying efforts worldwide.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pabkidz.org
• Instagram: parentsagainstbullying_
• Facebook: Parents Against Bullying VA
• Linkedin: Shant’a Miller White
• Twitter: Parents Against Bullying
• Youtube: Parents Against Bullying STAR Bright Kidz

Image Credits

Photo Credit Kevin Moore (Moore Media LLC)