He said she saw her role as a princess as one that meant she had a duty to help others.

“I was like, 'OK, let’s do this. I’m willing to do the work. Whatever it takes.'” Culberson said. “My birth father and I have done a lot of work together with the foundation, along with my brother. I stepped out into a space that has been very new for me and has challenged me in many ways.”

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In 2009, the Bumpe princess published a book about her life journey titled A Princess Found. The book is being adapted into a movie produced by Stephanie Allain, who became the first Black woman to produce the Academy Awards ceremony this year.

Culberson is also developing an animated series about family and community.

“I see the importance. I see I’m just one of the moving parts in the work being done in Sierra Leone. I honor it and I cherish it,” she said.

Mende-tribe

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