We’re looking forward to introducing you to Akeisha Howard MA, Forensic Psychology. Check out our conversation below.
Akeisha, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: When was the last time you felt true joy?
The last time I felt true joy was during one of our HerTruSelf workshops, when a shy little girl stood up, looked in the mirror for the first time, and said, ‘I like me.’ Watching that shift, that quiet moment of self-acceptance reminded me why I do this work. True joy, for me, isn’t found in big achievements; it’s in those gentle moments when a girl begins to see her own worth.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Akeisha Howard, but many know me as The Girls Empowerment Queen. I’m the CEO and my daughter Daijelle Morris is the Co-Founder of HerTruSelf, a confidence-building and emotional-intelligence brand created to help girls ages 6–14 embrace who they are and grow into emotionally strong, self-assured young women.
HerTruSelf was born from a deeply personal place my daughter once struggled with confidence, and that experience lit a fire in me to help other girls find their voice and value before the world tells them who to be. Today, HerTruSelf offers hands-on emotional-growth toolkits, programs, and workshops used by schools, parents, and communities to teach girls self-awareness, confidence, and emotional resilience through activity-based learning.
What makes HerTruSelf unique is our science-based, heart-centered approach. Each activity is designed to nurture emotional intelligence in a fun, relatable way helping girls not just feel good about themselves, but understand why they matter. At its core, HerTruSelf is more than a brand, it’s a movement reminding every girl that she’s not becoming someone; she’s uncovering who she’s always been.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a curious, compassionate girl who felt deeply and wanted everyone around her to feel seen. I was the one cheering for others even when I was quietly doubting myself. Somewhere along the way, I learned to shrink to blend in, to meet expectations.
But that younger version of me never disappeared; she was simply waiting to be rediscovered. Through HerTruSelf, I’ve reconnected with her the brave, tender-hearted girl who believed in kindness, courage, and the power of words. She reminds me daily that true strength isn’t about becoming someone new; it’s about returning to who you were before the world told you otherwise.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain the moment I saw it reflected in my daughter’s eyes. Watching her doubt her worth reminded me of the parts of myself I had buried the girl who once questioned her value and tried to be everything for everyone. That realization broke something open in me.
Instead of running from the hurt, I decided to give it purpose. I turned my pain into a mission to build spaces where girls feel seen, supported, and strong. That’s how HerTruSelf was born. Every activity, every toolkit, every conversation we share is my way of turning what once felt heavy into hope. My pain became my power when I chose to heal out loud, so others could, too.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m deeply committed to helping girls develop emotional intelligence, self-worth, and confidence no matter how long it takes. This isn’t just a project; it’s a calling. I believe when we teach girls how to understand and manage their emotions early, we shape women who lead with strength and empathy.
My work with HerTruSelf is a lifelong mission to change the way girls see themselves and how the world sees them. I don’t measure success by speed; I measure it by impact by every girl who looks in the mirror and begins to believe she’s enough. Whether it takes years or decades, I’ll keep showing up, because empowering girls isn’t a moment it’s a movement.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people tell the story of a woman who used her pain to plant seeds of confidence in others. Someone who refused to let another generation of girls grow up questioning their worth.
When people speak my name, I want them to remember that I didn’t just build a brand I built a safe space. A place where girls learned that being themselves was enough, that their emotions were valid, and that their voices mattered.
If my legacy is that even one girl stood taller, spoke louder, or loved herself a little more because of HerTruSelf, then I’ve done what I was created to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hertruself.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/hertruself_?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/groups/hertruselfgirlsempowerment
