“She’s Your Queeeeen to Beeeee”
Sunday, Oct. 30 was not like any other average day on “The Hill.” FAMU DRS, a local high school, was filled to capacity as the audience waited in anticipation. This would be the day that the 2011-2012 Miss Black and Gold would be crowned. There were 13 contestants, but only one could be chosen.
All the girls were packed into two dressing rooms, on either side of the stage. As a contestant, I was busy in the pack with the girls as we were all laughing, joking, and snacking on food provided by the “bruhs.” As Daniel Ware always eloquently says, “everybody eats, B.”
At around 8 p.m., the lights dimmed and the familiar tune from Coming to America rang into the ears of the audience, and participants alike. As the other contestants and I barrelled down the aisles in our African garb and took the stage, the excitement level was at an all time high.
The remainder of the pageant was nothing short of amazing. From the opening rhythmic dance, to the formal wear scene, jaws frequently dropped in amazement at the grace, poise, and talent displayed that evening. Throughout each segment of the pageant, competition grew stiff! Barry Archie, an audience member and fourth year Business Administration student from Pensacola, F.l., posted on Twitter, “the Miss B&G pageant had the best lineup of ladies I’ve ever seen. Congrats to them all.”
Contestants included Dia Blackmon, Ayana Bradford, Angelica Brasfield, Alyssa Crawford, Jaliya Dukes, Ashley Harris, Janette “Smilez” Kenerson, Paige Millender, Robyn Mowatt, Erica Patten, Brianna Rogers, Nikita Smith, and myself. There were many long nights on this journey to possibly becoming a member of the prestigious court. We went over the opening dance countless times, until it was done right. As each contestant stepped up on stage, time after time, I know we all had one thought in our minds: “I’m worthy of this title.” Each one of us worked tirelessly for weeks with members of the Beta Nu Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (namely Ameer Brown and Daniel Ware) and Chelsea Earby, 2010-2011 Miss Black & Gold, who oversaw the pageant. Ashley Harris, Miss Black, recalls all those long nights as she explains her pageant journey. “The pageant overall was an amazing journey! I got to meet beautiful young ladies that I otherwise may not have because we are all so different in our path of matriculation. I really think the pageant fostered camaraderie that will last for a long time and keep us all connected.”
As the contestants were judged on grace, poise, stage presence, talent, and public speaking ability, the scores were tallied up by the judges and all money raised was counted. The winners were revealed as follows: Ashley Harris, a fourth year Psychology student from Miami, F.l. is the 2011-2012 Miss Black; Ayana Bradford, a third year Elementary Education student from Orlando, F.l. by way of Atlanta, G.A. is the 2011-2012 Miss Gold; and Dia Blackmon, a second year Public Relations student from Detroit, Michigan, is the 2011-2012 Miss Black & Gold. Dia Blackmon, Miss Black & Gold, explains how she felt on hearing her name called, “When my name was called I was so happy and surprised. It honestly felt surreal.”
In my opinion, participating in the Miss Black & Gold Scholarship Pageant was not just about a title. I walked away with discipline, inside jokes to last for days, and 14 other pageant “sisters” I know that I can call if I ever need anything! As Ayana Bradford, Miss Gold, simply stated, “The pageant was the BEST event I have participated in so far out of my three years at FAMU. Even on pageant day, I never felt like it was a ‘competition.’ I made 14 new beautiful sisters and I love them all.”