Presenting...Sydnie Singleton

Sydnie Singleton (Source: Sydnie Singleton)

Clevelander Sydnie Singleton is an entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist, who spends her time finding ways to make a difference in the lives of others through her flourishing ventures.

Singleton’s desire to make a positive change began after she was bullied. Instead of staying silent, she chose to take a stand. At 12 years old, she created “Thinkie Winks,” a movement created to encourage kids to focus on their unique inner qualities, dream without boundaries, and think about how they can impact the world. What began with selling t-shirts with Thinkie Winks characters pictured on them, expanded into books filled with inspirational stories for children.

Thinkie Winks logo and characters (Source: Sydnie Singleton)

“We basically talked and we said we wanted to do something in a little more depth and that’s how it came to be,” Singleton, 20, said. “It brings the characters on the shirts, the characters of the company to life, while also telling their own stories that children could relate to.”

In March 2020, Singleton and her siblings created a Thinkie Winks YouTube channel, where they create content that could spread positivity during the pandemic. Baking, crafts, and exercising are just some of the many intriguing topics that can be seen on the channel, their overall goal being to present ways to stay busy, while also staying smart and safe during the pandemic.

Top to Bottom: Sydnie Singleton with her family at Cleveland’s Fox 8 News; Sydnie Singleton and her siblings Shelbie and Sean Singleton at Cleveland 19 News, with news anchor, Romona Robinson (Source: Sydnie Singleton)

As a senior at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Singleton is majoring in early childhood education and minoring in entrepreneurship & community based-leadership. Her goal is to one day become a superintendent of a school district.

“I know that something needs to be changed, and I want to be able to assist in making that change,” Singleton said. “That is why I am passionate about being in administration, because it’s all up to those policymakers and officials working in curriculum. That is why that is my goal.”

Singleton’s goals do not end at her career aspirations; she also plans on continuing her work with her company, Thinkie Winks. She believes in the importance of having several opportunities to pursue. She referenced advice that she heard from tennis player Serena Williams at the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit, an event that Singleton was selected by Forbes to attend.

Singleton at the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit (Source: Sydnie Singleton)

“She talked about not only having multiple strands of income, but also making sure that you use all of your gifts and all of your passions,” Singleton said. “Yes, I’m passionate about working in administration, but also with just talking to kids, checking up on them years after they’ve graduated, making sure that they go to college, and do what they actually want to do, not what they feel that society is telling them that they can’t.”

Since middle school, Singleton’s contributions to making her community a better place have led her to win multiple awards. She has been acknowledged as a Future History Maker by Cleveland’s 93.1 WZAK, a Cleveland Hometown Hero by the city of Cleveland, a Bridget Scholar, has received a letter from Former First Lady Michelle Obama (in reference to her company Thinkie Winks), was selected to attend the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit, and recently earned the Presidential Scholar award at her school, where she will have dinner with the president of her university. Singleton also recently pledged to Delta Sigma Theta, a historically African-American sorority.

Left to Right: Singleton representing her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta; Singleton and her sorority sisters; Source: Sydnie Singleton

“They've always taught me to think big in every type of way, and I feel like because of that, I have the mindset that I do now, which is ‘Don’t stop with being a superintendent. What can you do additionally?’” Singleton said. “I feel that that is a mindset that they have instilled in me and the reason that I'm doing the things that I'm doing now, having my hands in so many things, and being involved in different ways. They emphasized that so much as I was growing up...they still do.”

To individuals who feel that they do not belong or are being bullied, Singleton encourages them to keep being themselves.

“At the end of the day, unfortunately, there’s going to be someone who doesn’t like you for who you are, but you’re responsible for being you,” Singleton said. “That’s for any age; just keep looking in the mirror and reminding yourself that you’re great, and anyone else who doesn’t like that, that’s on them.”

Sydnie Singleton’s determination and perseverance are a force to be reckoned with! It's inspirational people like Singleton who are not afraid to take a stand, and are willing to take the extra step to make a difference that will contribute to a brighter tomorrow.

To purchase Singleton’s book and stay up to date on the latest Thinkie Winks news, search “Thinkie Winks on the Move'' (available on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles website), and the Thinkie Winks social media platforms linked below!