We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sommer Caldwell-Carruthers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sommer below.
Hi Sommer , thanks for joining us today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?
What would you change about the education system to prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?
I would start by challenging the illusion that grades and test scores are the only indicators of success. They are not. They are subjective measures rooted in an outdated system built for compliance, not creativity. The way we measure intelligence and potential in schools does not reflect the reality of today’s world. We are still preparing students for a society that no longer exists, using strategies that ignore the pace of change and the tools available to us now.
Technology is a perfect example. There is a real debate happening within the educational system about whether students should use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how to hold them accountable for plagiarism. However, the bigger conversation should be: how do we change our teaching practices to reflect where the world is and where it’s going? Instead of treating AI like a threat, we need to teach students how to use it with integrity, to enhance their thinking, and to solve real problems. The future will belong to those who know how to use the tools of today, not those who are told to avoid them.
To prepare students for a fulfilling life and career, we need to teach self-awareness, confidence, financial literacy, digital skills, and entrepreneurial thinking. They need to understand how to create options, not just wait for them. They should graduate knowing who they are, what they can offer the world, and how to build a life that reflects their values, not just a resume that checks a box.
Do you have any stories that illustrate why such a change is needed?
Yes. I was a strong student. I knew how to follow the rules, finish the work, and meet expectations. But I had to learn how to advocate for myself and speak up when it counted. I had to learn technology on my own. No one showed me how to use it strategically to build, grow, or lead. Those lessons came later, outside of school, through trial, error, and real-life pressure.
For years, I struggled with feeling like I didn’t belong. Every room I entered, I was questioned directly or indirectly about whether I deserved to be there. That battle was not about internal value. It was the weight of navigating a system that praised achievement but never affirmed identity, voice, or power beyond the grades.
That is why I wrote Claim Your Crown, Embrace Your Power. It is the book I wish I had when I was younger. A book that says: you are already enough, even if the world does not always make space for you. You have to make space for yourself. It is a guide for young Black women navigating systems that are not always built for them to succeed. It is filled with real stories, strategies, and truths that remind them they can define success on their own terms. It is about showing up fully and unapologetically in a world that often asks us to shrink.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Sommer Caldwell Carruthers, an educator, leader, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience helping people step into their purpose and power. My work lives at the intersection of education, technology, and empowerment. I entered this space after years of working in school systems and witnessing how outdated structures were failing both students and the adults serving them. I saw too many brilliant people stuck, overwhelmed by technology, unclear about their value, and unsure how to move from ideas to income. I made it my mission to change that.
Through my business SummerShine, LLC, I focus on solving problems that most people quietly struggle with. Things like how to simplify your business systems, host group discussions on how to use technology without feeling intimidated, and how to turn what you know into a product or service that actually sells. I am known for keeping things clear, focused, and actionable.
What makes my work different is that I teach from real experience, not just theory. I don’t limit myself to one niche. I help real people solve real problems, whatever the challenge may be. My work is grounded in practical solutions, not trendy labels. If it impacts your life, your growth, or your ability to move forward, I’m here for it. I have led teams, rebuilt systems, experienced burnout, and had to reinvent myself more than once. That’s why I built my signature framework, L.E.A.D., which stands for Learn, Execute, Automate, and Deliver. It is a simple process to help people build smarter systems that support their business or classroom without burning out in the process.
I am most proud of the impact my work is having. I see women reclaiming their voice, educators modernizing their practice, and aspiring entrepreneurs finally launching with confidence. I am also proud of my book, Claim Your Crown, Embrace Your Power. It is a guide I wrote for Black women and girls to help them rise in a world that does not always recognize their brilliance or give them the room they deserve.
The most important thing I want people to know is that you don’t need to have everything figured out to begin your journey. You just need someone who can help guide your ideas into systems that actually work. That’s the work I do and it’s what I truly enjoy.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Yes. My mission is to help people turn what they know into something that works. Whether it’s through education, entrepreneurship, or personal growth, I guide people in creating systems that bring clarity, confidence, and results. I’m driven by the belief that everyone has value and with the right structure and support, they can build something real, something profitable, and something that makes an impact.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been hearing directly from people who’ve read Claim Your Crown, Embrace Your Power. Women have reached out to say the book gave them language for what they’ve been feeling for years. Others have told me they saw themselves in my story, especially in the parts about questioning your worth, navigating spaces where you don’t feel seen, or learning how to finally speak up. Those messages remind me that this work matters. It’s not just a book, it’s a mirror, a guide, and in some cases, a breakthrough. Knowing that my words have helped someone feel understood or empowered to reclaim their voice that’s what keeps me going.
Another deeply rewarding part of my work is hearing from people who have taken one of my courses or training and tell me it changed their life or shifted their perspective. I recently taught a beginner AI course called AI Toolkit at a conference, and one of the participants was really struggling with the idea of using AI. She was a community college professor and she did not like the fact that her students were using AI. She came in resistant and overwhelmed. But after we had a real, honest dialogue during the session, she reached out to me the next day to thank me not just for the content, but for how I handled her hesitation with patience and respect. She told me that my approach helped her feel seen, and she was ready to keep learning. She even asked to work with me one-on-one.
Moments like that remind me that I’m doing exactly what I’m meant to do, meeting people where they are, guiding them through the discomfort, and helping them step into something new with confidence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sommercaldwell.com
- Facebook: @summershinellc
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