Shanterra McBride is an author, preacher, speaker, and teacher. She is founder of MARVELOUS UNIVERSITY, a social enterprise that offers life coaching and success planning for young people, specializing in leadership development for girls and young women.  Her expertise encompasses everything from youth development and youth needs, to diversity and inclusion and allyship. She works with young people of all backgrounds, as well as with adults seeking to become better trusted allies in the lives of the young people they interact with.

In addition to the US, Shanterra’s voice has reached others globally. She has traveled to Morocco and Peru, where she delivered workshops to girls on the permission of valuing themselves and expecting the same from others.  She has also spoken in four cities in South Africa on girls’ empowerment issues including creating safe spaces, combating gender-based violence, and anti-bullying.

Shanterra is the author of Love Your Jiggle: The Girls’ Guide to Being Marvelous, an inspirational book for girls ages 11-17. Themes covered include self-worth, maintaining friendships, decision-making, conflict management, self-empowerment and diversity and inclusion.

Shanterra earned her master’s degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University. She obtained her bachelor’s degrees from SMU in public affairs & corporate communications and sociology, and was awarded the Profiles in Leadership Award for having made a significant impact on the city of Dallas and on the quality of life for girls and women all over the country. Shanterra is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Shanterra believes three things have always kept her grounded: her faith, her community of family and friends, and her relationships with her mentees. These constants remind her of her purpose in life, which is to Mend, Motivate and Empower people, young and young at heart, to believe they are, without reservation, completely MARVELOUS!