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My Friends Call Me SamI'm a Mindset & Pageant Performance Coach, Keynote Speaker, Community Leader, Actress and Model.
In 2020 I became the first ever African American to win the Miss Hawaii USA title. I went on to place in the Top 10 at Miss USA and led my state to pass a law recognizing Juneteenth-a monumental day in US History. Now, I am dedicated to helping young women in pageantry become Queens before they ever hit the stage. When we're done, you will shine so bright, the world is going to need sunglasses. |
Looking To Join The Crown Squad?
Have You Ever Walked Into A Room Filled With Pageant Girls, Wondering If You Were Good Enough To Be One Of Them?
I have. While I now serve young women in pageantry as a Mindset & Performance coach, I didn’t always prioritize my internal growth and it showed.
Let me explain, in January of 2018, I was sitting on the couch, scrolling through Facebook when I saw an ad for a local California pageant.
Let me explain, in January of 2018, I was sitting on the couch, scrolling through Facebook when I saw an ad for a local California pageant.
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Having previously competed at Miss Teen USA back in 2013 the ad caught my eye and gave me that instant rush of adrenaline you get when you can’t tell if you’re scared or excited but you know you have to keep going!
I’d always loved pageants and had been competing since I was sixteen, but it had been almost five years since I last took the stage. Was I ready to perform at the higher "Miss" level? After a lot of back and forth between believing in myself and doubting I could place, I finally said yes to the local pageant. |
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The next 13 months, I dedicated myself to diligently working towards my then definition of success—winning the crown (spoiler alert: it was a toxic definition of success!).
Everything was defined by the crown. I focused on every external factor I thought would get me there—my resume, my walk, my makeup—everything except who I was on the inside.
Everything was defined by the crown. I focused on every external factor I thought would get me there—my resume, my walk, my makeup—everything except who I was on the inside.
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After more than a year of incredibly hard work and preparation, I placed 2nd Runner Up at Miss California USA. Second Runner Up out of over 70 women should have felt like an accomplishment...but I was devastated and completely burnt out. I felt like a crumpled up piece of scratch paper and was ready to throw myself out with the trash.
Months went by and I still felt so broken. But in July of 2019, I decided to move home, give myself a second chance, and compete for Miss Hawaii USA. This time, I promised myself that I would focus on my own fulfillment. Who needs a crown? I wanted to win myself! |
I dedicated the next five months to my personal growth. I focused on The Three P’s of Pageantry—Purpose. Passion. Presentation. And strengthened my mindset by breaking down limiting beliefs, implementing stress management practices and creating empowering perspectives.
Each step of the way, I could feel myself becoming more and more resilient. I no longer felt desperate for the judges’ approval nor did I feel any pressure to be perfect. I had finally stopped comparing myself to others.
Each step of the way, I could feel myself becoming more and more resilient. I no longer felt desperate for the judges’ approval nor did I feel any pressure to be perfect. I had finally stopped comparing myself to others.
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The morning of the Miss Hawaii USA Pageant, I woke up and knew that I. DID. IT.
I had transformed into the best version of myself, and whether I won the crown or not, it DID NOT MATTER because I had won what I had worked for - myself. That night, I not only walked away as the new Miss Hawaii USA 2020, but I also won the award for highest score in EVERY CATEGORY—SWIMSUIT. INTERVIEW. EVENING GOWN. EVERYTHING! |
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Radiating my best self from the inside-out had elevated my performance to a new level. And the judges could feel it too. I stepped into my power and owned who I was. I was given a crown because I had become my own Queen.
That experience changed the way I view pageants, coaching, and everything in between.
Now, I am a mindset & performance coach for women in pageantry. I empower my clients to step into their most confident, powerful, resilient selves so that they know they are a Queen before they hit the stage!
That experience changed the way I view pageants, coaching, and everything in between.
Now, I am a mindset & performance coach for women in pageantry. I empower my clients to step into their most confident, powerful, resilient selves so that they know they are a Queen before they hit the stage!
Ready To Transform Into The Queen You Are Destined To Be?
Life with a little Rhinestones...
> Miss Hawaii USA 2020 - Top 10 Miss USA, Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, Best in Interview
*First African American to win title
> Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2013 - Top 10 Miss Teen USA, Best in Swimsuit
*First African American to win title
> Miss Beverly Hills USA 2019
> 2nd RU - Miss California USA 2019, Best in Swimsuit, Top Model Award
> 2nd RU - Miss Santa Monica USA 2019, Miss Photogenic
> 2nd RU - Miss Teen Hawaii United States 2012, Miss Photogenic
In 2013 I was crowned Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2013, the first African American woman to ever do so. I spent my year volunteering with various local organizations with a special focus on serving the military community.
As a host for the popular local cable show, Brown Bags to Stardom, I appeared on television weekly as well as toured O'ahu, judging and hosting various Public High School Talent Shows.
I placed in the Top 15 at Miss Teen USA at the beautiful Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas!
When I was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2020, I again became the first African American woman to win the title.
As Miss Hawaii USA 2020, my goal was to promote effective communication. I expanded Time to Talk Hawaii - a program I founded in dedication to helping teens learn to communicate effectively and grow into confident young adults. When the pandemic hit, I transitioned to a virtual format and shared educational videos online with the intention of reaching a wider audience.
After connecting with Honolulu County Council Chair, Tommy Waters, I was invited to partner with Youth for O'ahu. Together, we successfully promoted Ballot Measure 2 in the 2020 election. It passed and established the first ever Honolulu City Youth Commission!
In July of 2020, in light of the Black Lives Matter Movement and George Floyd protests, I launched the Hawaii for Juneteenth coalition. With the coalitions support, I led the Hawaii State Legislature to pass a law recognizing Juneteenth as an Official Day of Remembrance in the State of Hawaii. Our law passed just 24 hours before President Biden signed the Federal Bill!
I am proud to have ended my pageant journey by placing in the Top 10 at Miss USA!
As a host for the popular local cable show, Brown Bags to Stardom, I appeared on television weekly as well as toured O'ahu, judging and hosting various Public High School Talent Shows.
I placed in the Top 15 at Miss Teen USA at the beautiful Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas!
When I was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2020, I again became the first African American woman to win the title.
As Miss Hawaii USA 2020, my goal was to promote effective communication. I expanded Time to Talk Hawaii - a program I founded in dedication to helping teens learn to communicate effectively and grow into confident young adults. When the pandemic hit, I transitioned to a virtual format and shared educational videos online with the intention of reaching a wider audience.
After connecting with Honolulu County Council Chair, Tommy Waters, I was invited to partner with Youth for O'ahu. Together, we successfully promoted Ballot Measure 2 in the 2020 election. It passed and established the first ever Honolulu City Youth Commission!
In July of 2020, in light of the Black Lives Matter Movement and George Floyd protests, I launched the Hawaii for Juneteenth coalition. With the coalitions support, I led the Hawaii State Legislature to pass a law recognizing Juneteenth as an Official Day of Remembrance in the State of Hawaii. Our law passed just 24 hours before President Biden signed the Federal Bill!
I am proud to have ended my pageant journey by placing in the Top 10 at Miss USA!