Sarah Culberson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Princess Sarah
Lady of Bumpe
Born	Esther Elizabeth Kposowa Morgantown, West Virginia, U.S.
Full name Sarah Jane Culberson
House	Kposowa
Father	Prince Joseph Konia Kposowa
Occupation	actress public speaker educator writer

Princess Sarah Jane Culberson is an American actress, speaker, teacher, and writer. She is also known as the Lady of Bumpe. By birth, she is a Mende princess from the Bumpe–Gao Chiefdom in Sierra Leone, West Africa.

Sarah is the co-founder of Sierra Leone Rising. This is a non-profit group that helps improve education and life for people in Sierra Leone. In 2009, she wrote a book about her life called A Princess Found. The Disney company is thinking about making her book into a movie.

About Sarah's Life

Sarah Culberson was born Esther Elizabeth Kposowa in Morgantown, West Virginia. Her birth mother was American, and her birth father was from Sierra Leone. When she was a baby, she was placed in foster care. Later, she was adopted by Jim and Judy Culberson. They lived in West Virginia.

Sarah grew up not knowing her birth parents. She was raised in the United Methodist church. In high school, she played basketball and was student body president. She also became the homecoming queen at University High School. Sarah went to West Virginia University on a theatre scholarship and finished in 1998. She later earned a special degree in fine arts from the American Conservatory Theater.

In 2004, Sarah hired someone to help her find her birth parents. She learned that her birth mother, Penny, had passed away from cancer years earlier. She also found out her father, Joseph Konia Kposowa, was a prince from the Mende royal family. His father, Francis Kposowa, was a very important leader called the Paramount Chief of Bumpe in Sierra Leone.

Because her grandfather was a Paramount Chief, Sarah is known as a Mahaloi. This means she is a granddaughter of the Chief and has the status of a princess. She wrote a letter to her father and they reconnected. Her father explained that he was a college student when she was born. He and her mother agreed they were too young to raise a child then. When Sarah visited Bumpe, she was given the title Bumpenya. This means Lady of Bumpe in the Mende language.

In August 2024, Sarah attended a royal wedding. She was a guest at the wedding of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and Durek Verrett.

Sarah's Work

In 2001, Sarah moved to Los Angeles to become an actress. She has been in TV shows like Strong Medicine, All of Us, and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. She also appeared in the movie American Dreamz.

From 2005 to 2007, Sarah was a dancer with CONTRA-TIEMPO. This dance group performs Salsa, hip-hop, and contemporary dance. She is now on the board of directors for the dance company. She also still performs with them sometimes.

In 2006, Sarah helped start Sierra Leone Rising. This group helps improve education and rebuild schools in the Bumpe Chiefdom. They work to make life better in Sierra Leone after the civil war.

Sarah used to work at the Oakwood School in Los Angeles. She was the director of service learning. In this role, she planned a school trip to Sierra Leone to help the community. Before that, she started a dance program at the Brentwood School.

In 2009, she wrote her memoir, A Princess Found. This book tells the story of her American family, her African royal family, and how she connected them all.

In 2019, Disney decided to make a film based on Sarah's book and story. A team of Black female writers and directors is expected to create the movie. Sarah will be an executive producer and consultant for the film.

In 2022, Sarah received the Impact Award at the 30th Trumpet Awards. In 2023, she spoke on a panel with Princess Keisha Omilana. They talked about diversity, royal families in Africa, and the role of royalty today.

Film and TV Appearances

Film

Television