“I’m so grateful for vision,” Miss Liberia USA 2009 Mattie James explains. “It’s what separates SOMEBODY from anybody.”

After last year, Mattie knows a thing or two about vision. The 25 year old entrepreneur and the reigning Miss Liberia USA, who attended Penn State University with a major in communications, recently completed internships at the prestigious spirits company, Brown-Forman and Atlanta’s top sports radio station, 790 The Zone. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA she has traveled all over the world from London, Saudi Arabia and of course Liberia. As first American generation in her family, it’s important to her to stay in touch with her heritage and culture which is why she chose the platform “Getting Back to Our Roots” which helped her win the Miss Liberia Georgia title. She passionately states, “You’ve got to know where you come from to know where you’re going. And I’m interested in both.”

In July 2009, she became Miss Liberia USA and plans to travel to Liberia in March 2010 where she will take school supplies and up to date materials to the children there. Mattieologie, which she launched 2 years ago, speaks on fashion, beauty and chronicles her day to day life. “The crown is only the beginning. It’s much bigger than me and the crown,” she says.  And after winning two pageants, getting married and buying her first home all in 2009, she’s very excited for what’s next to come this year.

With her passion for writing, Mattie hopes to reach out to her peers and community through new media where she feels she can make a vast difference. In 2010, she plans to launch two websites including LiberianGirlOnline.com targeting young African women. “New media has no limits because the web is global. It’s a resource I can use to reach Africans all throughout the Diaspora which is what I plan to do with Liberian Girl Online.” Aside from her business ventures, Mattie plans on giving back by mentoring at risk teen girls in the Atlanta area.

In Spring 2010, Mattie will bring another new media idea to life with Sportstinista. After searching the creases and crevices of the web for a quality sports blog from a female’s perspective she noticed a void. So she hopes to fill it with Sportstinista, because after all, a girl’s gotta have her sports.

In  2010, she will be attending NY Fashion Week, going to Liberia and making numerous appearances throughout the year. With the re-launch of Mattieologie and launching two other websites, Mattie definitely plans on making her mark in new media and taking her brand to the next level.