Author Sami Kader Shares Positive Message About ‘The Positive Voice’
At a recent family night at Carmichael Elementary School, author and motivational speaker Sami Kader told a room full of more than 150 students, parents and school staff to “never give up on yourself.”
Kader struggled with low self-esteem as a child due to obesity and bullying from his peers. After finding his passion in health and fitness, he began reaching out to youth to share his inspirational story.
Kader turned his childhood story into an illustrated children’s book, “Sami vs. the Negative Voice.” In the book, Sami is followed around by a negative voice only he hears inside his head. Sami eventually learns to ignore it when he meets a friend who tells him to believe in himself.
“This book is something I believe in – not just because it’s my story – but because it has helped so many kids because they relate to it and understand it,” Kader says. “A lot of us have gone through these things. If we can teach kids at a young age to never listen to that negative voice, it’s powerful.”
Each student in attendance went home with a free copy of “Sami vs. the Negative Voice,” which was personally autographed by Kader. The free copies were funded by San Juan Education Foundation’s Evening with the STARS program.
When Kader first began speaking to students in the community four years ago, he chose Carmichael Elementary School as one of his first destinations. Principal Brandi Smith said she was happy to have Kader back for Family Night because his message is important for everyone in the community.
“We’ve really taken it on as our mantra,” Smith said. “When things get tough we say, ‘We’ve got this.’ It lifts us up and it helps us believe in each other and ourselves.”
