Summer Wayans is a second generation Wayans, a professional model, TV/Radio personality, an advocate and a philanthropist. You may know some of her family since they are considered “Comedy Royalty”, according to the words of the utmost respected Oprah. They are Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans, Kim Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Marlon Wayans. Some people do not realize that there were 10 children born to the "first generation" of Wayans. Her mother Diedra Wayans, Creator/Producer and CEO of Wayans Girl Production, falling in the leading pack between Keenen and Damon. Summer is the sister to Executive Producer/Writer/Director Craig Wayans and Actor Gregg Wayans. 

 

Summer recently co-starred in Pea Pod, a comedy short film that was in the TOP 5 for the HBO Insider Comedy Challenge and continues to circulate and show at various film festivals. Summer started out doing television in 2001 on shows such as BET's Teen Summit, NBC's The Challenger on Monday Night Football and ABC Family's Switched! alongside Jennifer Freeman (of ABC's My Wife and Kids) . In addition, she has utilized a combination of her talents to consult on movies such as Bring It On, Yet Again. In true spirit of her gift to gab, she graced cyberspace as a guest-host on Black Hollywood Live and Generation U Radio (where she was also Associate Producer) . Her work for brands such as Ashley Stewart, Lola Getts (Footlocker Campaign), Melissa Mercedes, Wet Seal+, Sydney’s Closet, Sears/Kmart, and being the curvy model for Vanessa Simmons’ line, has increased her presence and visibility in the plus fashion community. Summer has walked in both mainstream and plus fashion shows including Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, Full-figured Fashion Week, Plus Night Out and both Los Angeles and New York Fashion Week. She has been the cover model for and/or appeared in various publications including Plus Model Magazine, Hello Beautiful, Daily Venus Diva, Full Blossom Magazine, Hip Hop Weekly, and Skorch Magazine.

 

Summer has a Doctorate in Multicultural Community Psychology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a focus on diversity. Summer is the co-founder of the Wayans Girl Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c)(3), along with her mother Diedra Wayans. The goal of their foundation is to provide an empowerment and strength based approach to assisting individual’s access resources and support. Her deep rooted love for philanthropy plays a vital role in her level of awareness surrounding social and socio-economic issues which drives her to utilize various platforms to encourage, empower and uplift individuals. In addition, Summer has also sat on the Advisory board for the Los Angeles County Alliance of the Boys and Girls Club. Throughout the Los Angeles Metroplex, there are 25 clubs which serve over 140,000 youth ages 6-18 every year. Through the advisory board, Summer was a part of ensuring that each club receives the resources necessary to enhance the experience of the at-risk youth.  

 

Summer is a motivational speaker/lecturer and loves speaking to the community about being empowered to live their best lives. She has specialized research and training on topics pertaining to multicultural communities, ethnic minority youth, sexual health, addiction, bullying, domestic violence, trans-generational stereotypes and LGBT issues—among many other topics. She has become a role model and is showing youth and adults alike, that you do not have to choose between being a public figure and getting an education-- you can do both! Furthermore, she is an advocate empowering others to not be limited by the constraints that others put on them but instead live free and fly high.