From Invisible to Invincible: Building Confidence Through the Power of Total Self-Acceptance

Format

Individual Presentation

Presenters

• LaSaundra HewittFollow

First Presenter's Institution

N/A

First Presenter’s Email Address

lhewitt@iamaliveatl.org

First Presenter's Brief Biography

LaSaundra Hewitt is the Founder and Executive Director of iamALIVE, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering and educating youth affected by bullying and related challenges. With over 10 years of experience, LaSaundra has been a passionate advocate for raising awareness about the impact of bullying and providing tools for resilience and confidence-building. An accomplished author with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems, LaSaundra shares her personal journey of overcoming bullying, rejection, and low self-esteem to inspire youth and adults alike. She has spoken at numerous schools throughout Metro Atlanta, led engaging webinars, seminars, and organizes an annual anti-bullying conference. Her work has earned community recognition for creating safe, supportive environments where youth can thrive. LaSaundra’s mission is to transform pain into triumph by equipping individuals with self-acceptance and resilience strategies that foster emotional well-being and empowerment.

Submitter

I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)

Location

Scarbrough 5

Strand #1

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Strand #2

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Relevance

This proposal aligns with the Heart strand: Social & Emotional Skills, by focusing on fostering self-awareness, self-acceptance, and emotional resilience in youth to improve social climate and support their well-being.

Brief Program Description

This session explores how total self-acceptance builds lasting confidence and resilience in youth facing bullying and isolation. Participants will learn practical strategies to integrate self-acceptance into classrooms, empowering students to overcome loneliness, develop emotional strength, and create inclusive school environments where every child feels seen, valued, and ready to thrive.

Summary

Bullying is more than an act of unkindness—it’s a direct attack on a young person’s identity, leaving them feeling invisible, isolated, and unworthy. The key to reversing this damage isn’t just awareness—it’s empowerment. In this engaging, heart-centered session, LaSaundra Hewitt, Founder and Executive Director of iamALIVE, Inc. will share how the principle of total self-acceptance can transform the way children see themselves, respond to bullying, and thrive in and out of the classroom. Attendees will explore practical strategies for integrating self-acceptance into school culture, empowering students to embrace their unique qualities, and teaching them how to stand tall in the face of adversity. With personal stories, real-world examples, and interactive tools, participants will leave equipped to help students replace feelings of loneliness and invisibility with confidence, resilience, and a renewed sense of worth. This is more than anti-bullying work—it’s a movement to ensure every child feels seen, valued, and fearless.

Evidence

This session is grounded in well-established research on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and resilience. One of the foundational pillars of SEL is self-awareness—the ability to understand and accept one’s own emotions, strengths, and limitations, including both positive qualities and imperfections. When youth fully accept themselves, they build a strong foundation for confidence, emotional well-being, and resilience.

According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), SEL leads to improved academic achievement by fostering supportive relationships and opportunities for students to develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills in various contexts. Hundreds of studies involving over a million students worldwide consistently show that SEL participation is linked to better grades, test scores, attendance, and homework completion. Moreover, SEL increases student engagement and promotes a positive school climate, which helps reduce bullying and supports at-risk youth.

This evidence supports integrating total self-acceptance into classrooms as a powerful strategy to boost resilience, belonging, and academic success while combating the negative effects of bullying.

Learning Objective 1

Participants will understand how the principle of total self-acceptance builds lasting resilience in youth.

Learning Objective 2

Participants will be able to Implement classroom activities that promote belonging, visibility, and self-worth.

Learning Objective 3

Participants will be able to integrate self-acceptance practices into school-wide initiatives to improve social climate and reduce incidents of bullying.

Keyword Descriptors

Bullying prevention, self-acceptance, resilience, social-emotional learning, youth empowerment, confidence building, school climate, emotional well-being, inclusion, student engagement

Presentation Year

2026

Start Date

3-3-2026 1:00 PM

End Date

3-3-2026 2:15 PM

Recommended Citation

Hewitt, LaSaundra, "From Invisible to Invincible: Building Confidence Through the Power of Total Self-Acceptance" (2026). National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference. 53.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2026/2026/53