Laquita Russell
FounderMeet LaQuita Russell, a founding member of The Crown Bearer Project. A native of the Shoals area, LaQuita has devoted much of her life to encouraging and inspiring women through simple acts of kindness, genuine support, and the gift of listening.
LaQuita draws from her own personal experiences and the many roles she has held throughout her life to fulfill what she considers her purpose: walking alongside women through every season. Whether it is the woman who appears to have it all together but needs additional resources and support to get by, the woman who has been overlooked because of life’s challenges and simply needs a sense of hope, or the young woman struggling with confidence and social acceptance, LaQuita believes every woman deserves to feel supported.
Whatever the circumstance, LaQuita believes that no woman should have to endure life’s challenges in silence or alone.
This belief is at the heart of The Crown Bearer Project, which was created to help fill the gaps and bridge the needs within the community. To LaQuita, being a Crown Bearer means pouring into the lives of others until they are strong enough to begin pouring into others themselves.
Alexis Thompson
Alexis Thompson is the founder of Heal Thy Living Functional Wellness, a wellness company dedicated to helping individuals improve their health through nutrition, fitness, and sustainable lifestyle practices. With a passion for holistic health, Alexis takes a whole-person approach to wellness, emphasizing the connection between physical health, mental well-being, and everyday habits.
Alexis is currently pursuing a degree in Clinical Psychology while working in the home health field, where she provides compassionate care and support to individuals in need. As a personal trainer and nutrition professional, she combines her knowledge and experience to help others build healthier lifestyles, strengthen their confidence, and achieve their personal wellness goals.
Through her work, Alexis is passionate about educating and empowering others to take an active role in their health. She strives to help individuals create realistic and sustainable changes that promote long-term well-being and a healthier quality of life.
Alexa Bailey
Alexa Bailey is a Sergeant in the Alabama National Guard and a Master’s-level Social Worker with a passion for making a meaningful impact in the lives of others. She believes that even the smallest acts of kindness and support can make a lasting difference.
Alexa earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of North Alabama. Throughout her professional experience, she has worked with diverse populations, including children, women, individuals with disabilities, and older adults, providing compassionate, person-centered support tailored to their unique needs.
Through her experiences, Alexa has developed a deep appreciation for resilience, compassion, and the importance of human connection. She strives to walk alongside individuals through life’s challenges by offering encouragement, understanding, and a safe space for healing and growth.
Alexa is driven by a genuine desire to help others feel seen, heard, and valued while making a positive difference in the lives of those she serves.
Jada Smith
Jada Smith serves as the Web Manager for The Crown Bearer Project. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University in 2024.
Professionally, Jada works in Child Welfare Services, where she advocates for the safety, well-being, and permanency of children while supporting families through challenging circumstances. Her work has strengthened her passion for serving others, advocating for those in need, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families.
Jada plans to continue her education with the goal of becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Through this path, she hopes to expand her ability to support children, individuals, and families on a deeper level while continuing to make a positive difference in her community.
Tierra Jackson is a master’s-level social worker with experience in corrections, human services, and substance abuse recovery and prevention. Born and raised in Florence, Alabama, she is a devoted mother committed to giving back to her community. Tierra earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Alabama and her master’s from Walden University.
Professionally, she supports individuals and families navigating complex systems, focusing on advocacy, rehabilitation, counseling, and connecting people to resources that promote stability and long-term success. Her commitment to service extends beyond work: she and her son volunteer to provide meals for people experiencing homelessness.
After overcoming adversity as a young mother, Tierra pursued higher education and a career in social work. Her personal and professional experiences inform a compassionate, client-centered approach aimed at empowering others and making a lasting community impact.
Tierra Jackson
Krisna Jones
Krisna Jones has a heart for serving others, especially children and the elderly. Making a positive difference in someone’s life—whether through encouragement, compassion, or acts of service—is one of her greatest passions. She is also the proud mother of two amazing adult daughters who continue to inspire her every day.
Krisna believes that kindness, faith, and genuine relationships have the power to change lives. Whether she is helping a family, supporting her community, or encouraging others to pursue their goals, she strives to lead with love, integrity, and purpose.
Her mission is simple: to leave every person she meets feeling seen, valued, and encouraged.
Mali Parrish
Mali Parrish serves as the Area Director for a local home care agency and is a proud 2018 graduate of the University of North Alabama. As a single mother, Mali has learned the importance of resilience, balance, and showing up each day with purpose.
Mali has a passion for helping others in any way she can, especially when it comes to connecting women in need with the resources, guidance, and support they deserve. Her personal and professional experiences have strengthened her commitment to being a source of encouragement and assistance to those around her.
Whether through her career or her involvement in the community, Mali strives to fill the gaps, uplift others, and make a meaningful difference wherever she is planted.
Samantha Perry
Samantha Perry is a proud mother of three amazing children who inspire her every day to lead with compassion, kindness, and purpose. She has a deep love for animals and believes they deserve the same care and respect we give one another.
Professionally, Samantha works for a local home care agency, where she has the privilege of helping families find the support and compassion they need during some of life’s most challenging seasons.
Giving back has always been a passion of Samantha’s because she believes even the smallest act of kindness can change someone’s day—or even their life. Whether she is serving her community, spending time with her family, or caring for animals, Samantha’s goal is to leave every person and place a little better than she found it.
Nakeva Harrison Pulley
Nakeva Harrison Pulley is a communications strategist, entrepreneur, speaker, vocalist, and community advocate with a genuine passion for connecting with people and contributing to the well-being of her community. A two-time graduate of Alabama A&M University, she holds a Master of Science Communications Specialist degree with a specialization in Business.
Her professional background includes media, public affairs, news, promotions management, strategic communication, social media management, and community engagement. Throughout her career, Nakeva has used her experience to inform, encourage, and create meaningful conversations that leave people with greater clarity and confidence.
While communication is central to her professional life, service is equally important to who she is. Nakeva takes pride in supporting community-centered efforts, encouraging individuals through challenging circumstances, and lending her voice to causes that promote dignity, opportunity, and personal growth.
Nakeva served as the guest speaker for The Crown Bearer Project’s inaugural event, where she delivered a message centered on empowerment, self-worth, and purposeful advancement. Her continued involvement reflects her support of the organization’s mission and her commitment to meaningful advocacy and service.
Her personal motto captures the heart of her work: “I Speak. I Inspire. I Impact.”