MEET OUR FOUNDER & CEO

Kaprece James, MPA
Founder & CEO
​Kaprece James is a social entrepreneur and active duty United States Marine Corps Spouse. She has been volunteering and working in the nonprofit sector for over 25 years. Kaprece has served in many roles from volunteer to director and board chair.

Before starting Stella’s Girls, Kaprece was a founding Board member of B4YT, Inc, a nonprofit and nongovernmental organization of Liberia. Kaprece has assisted many other nonprofits with building their programs nationally and internationally, and continues to do so.

Kaprece has a Master’s in Public Administration with a specialty in Nonprofit Management & Leadership. She is a doctoral candidate in Public Policy and Administration with a specialization in Nonprofit Leadership. 

OUR TEAM

Selenia Hawkins
Board Secretary
​Selenia has always been a passionate advocate of helping others. She has been giving back to her community since she was a young girl. Now, as a member of Stella's Girls, she works to lead other young women contribute to their communities.  Ever since she married her Marine, she has been volunteering and working in the military community.

Selenia is currently a student at American Military University and will be receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management.

Nicole Franklin
Board Treasurer
​Nicole has a background in retail management and human resources. She also has experience increasing multi-million-dollar revenue for department stores. As an active duty Marine Corps Spouse, Nicole has a passion of helping the military community. She served both as an employee and a volunteer for the Family Readiness Program for the Marine Corps.

Nicole is currently a student at the University of Maryland, pursuing her degree in Human Resources Management.

Shantrell Calvy- Hamilton, MHS
​Board Vice President & Executive Director, Maryland
​Shantrell began with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in Biology, from Florida A&M University. She was then awarded a Master’s degree in Health Sciences, with a concentration in Healthcare Administration, at Nova Southeastern University. Shantrell has been a professional in the health care industry for over 14 years. The many roles she has served has included providing direct patient care, and facilitating both social change and development.

Shantrell currently serves as the Resiliency and Psychological Health Service Behavioral Health Consultant at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). She is a passionate supporter of military personnel. Her personal life experience of having been raised in a military family, adds richness and realism to her role there.

Shantrell is both a Nursing and Clinical Masters of Social Work student. She is also a part of many service organizations, including Stella's Girls, because of her passion of empowering and educating young people. Her personal interests include spending time with her son and providing mentoring and community service. 

​Mariama H. Konneh
Executive Director, Liberia
Mariama became a leader and child advocate while her country was in a most gruesome and bloody civil war. During that war children were forced into labor practices. Worse, raping and killing children became a weapon. Mariama witnessed the continuous violence perpetrated against women and girls for years. She decided that she will stand up to use her voice to advocate and educate others to be advocates for females. Mariama is a contributor to many diverse youth-led organizations. Her passions are for community service in gender equity, including anti-SGBV movements and environmental protection. 

Mariama is Muslim Liberian and a Senior at Blue Crest University, where she studies Network Engineering.