Samuriel Hina
Founder & Executive Director
Samuriel Hina is the Founder & Executive Director of Crowned by Her Story, Inc., a nonprofit that empowers girls of Liberian descent to lead with confidence, embrace their heritage, and discover their purpose through mentorship and community service.
Her vision for Crowned by Her Story is rooted in both personal experience and a longstanding commitment to service. From her experience in participating in a Liberian pageant to being named Miss Liberia Georgia 2013, Samuriel was introduced to a world that taught her the power of confidence, cultural connection, mentorship, and using one's voice.
In 2014, Samuriel traveled to Liberia and participated in advocacy efforts supporting the country's Mental Health Bill alongside Cultural Ambassador Juli Endee, Liberia's Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Coordinating Unit, The Carter Center, and other advocates. That experience strengthened her understanding of what can happen when advocacy, community, and leadership come together around a shared purpose, and now she hopes to do the same for other young women like her.
Through Crowned by Her Story, Samuriel intends to leverage her experience in leadership, advocacy, public health, pageantry, and community service to create meaningful opportunities for the next generation of Liberian girls. Her goal is to build spaces where girls can strengthen their confidence, deepen their connection to their heritage, develop practical leadership skills, and recognize the value of their voices and experiences.
For Samuriel, the crown is just the beginning. Her work is grounded in the belief that leadership is not defined by a title, but by how we use our experiences, voices, and opportunities to serve others and create meaningful change.
Our Board of Directors
Lovelle Sebastiao
Board Chair
Lovelle Sebastiao is an IT professional whose journey reflects a unique intersection of technology, leadership, culture, and community. With a background in psychology and information technology, she brings both a people-centered perspective and a technical mindset to the work she does.
Her interest in leadership began at a young age. In 2011, Lovelle was crowned Junior Miss Liberia, an experience that introduced her to the responsibility that comes with representing a community and gave her an early appreciation for cultural identity, and service. To Lovelle, this became more than a title—it helped shape the way she views leadership and the importance of using opportunities to positively influence others.
Beyond her professional career, her experiences as a young titleholder and member of the Liberian community, Lovelle is committed to continued growth and a legacy that reflect purpose, resilience, and possibility.
Mamai Grimes
Director of Youth Impact & Advancement
Mamai Grimes is a clinical research professional, real estate professional, and community advocate with a passion for service, mentorship, and empowering others. Born in Liberia, West Africa, and raised in the United States, Mamai’s experiences have shaped her deep appreciation for resilience, community, and creating opportunities for others.
Professionally, she serves as a Senior Clinical Research Associate in the biopharmaceutical industry, where she supports the development of innovative therapies and advancement of clinical research. In addition to her career in healthcare, Mamai is a real estate professional who enjoys helping individuals and families navigate homeownership and build generational wealth.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Mamai is committed to giving back to her community. She is involved in mentorship and philanthropic initiatives and is passionate about creating spaces where women can build meaningful connections, grow in faith, and support one another. Her commitment to community service has also been recognized within the Liberian community.
Above all, Mamai is guided by her Christian faith and a belief that success is most meaningful when it is used to positively impact the lives of others.
Tonie P. Freeman
Treasurer
Tonie P. Freeman serves as Treasurer and is passionate about using her knowledge, skills, and experience to serve others and strengthen the community. With a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and experience in bookkeeping, financial record keeping , administration, and customer service, Tonie brings a strong foundation in organization, accuracy, and financial responsibility to her role.
She believes that effective stewardship and strong financial practices are essential to building a sustainable organization. Through her service as Treasurer, Tonie is committed to helping the organization responsibly manage its resources, support its mission, and create lasting opportunities for the people and communities it serves.
Wannie Brown
Director of Events & Special Initiative
Wannie is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, leadership, financial education, and personal growth. Born in Liberia, she carries a deep appreciation for her heritage and the culture, resilience, and values that have shaped her journey.
With more than seven years of professional experience in finance, analytics, and business operations, Wannie brings expertise in financial operations, reporting, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration. Her professional experience, combined with her entrepreneurial journey, has strengthened her belief in equipping others with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to create meaningful opportunities for themselves and future generations.
Through Crowned by Her Story, Wannie is honored to support girls of Liberian heritage through mentorship, leadership development, cultural connection, and service. She hopes to inspire the next generation to embrace their stories, lead with confidence, and recognize the power of their voices, experiences, and heritage.