Five Black Queens

For the first time, EVER, the title holders for the world’s top five beauty pageants are all black women! With our time of having 5 black queens potentially coming to an end, when the new Miss America will be crowned on December 19th, I decided to highlight and celebrate these beautiful black women that represent so much for little black girls and the whole black community.

The first to be crowned was 26 year old Nia Imani Franklin. She won the title of Miss America 2019 in September of 2018. She previously held the title of Miss New York. Franklin is originally from North Carolina and attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where she received her degree in 2017.

The next to be crowned was 19 year old Kaleigh Garris. Garris is Miss Teen USA, she previously held the title of Miss Teen Connecticut. She recently graduated high school in 2019 and now is a freshman at Southern Connecticut State University.

Cheslie Kryst was crowned shortly after Miss Teen USA Kayleigh Garris. Kryst is 28 years old and is Miss USA 2019. Before being crowned Miss USA she held the title of Miss North Carolina USA. She ran track in undergrad at the University of South Carolina where she graduated with a business degree in 2013. She then went on to graduate with a law degree in North Carolina and now works as an entertainment host.

Fourth on the list is Zozibini Tunzi. This 26 year old formerly held the title of Miss South Africa until being crowned Miss Universe in early December 2019. During the final round of the pageant when asked “What is the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today?”, she responded, “I think the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today is leadership. It is something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time - not because we don’t want to, but because of what society has labeled women to be. I think we are the most powerful beings in the world and that we should be given every opportunity. That is what we should be teaching these young girls… to take up space.”

And finally we have Toni-Ann Singh, Miss World 2019. Sigh previously held the title of Miss Jamaica 2019. After being crowned in mid December 2019 Sigh said “All the girls around the world - please believe in yourself. Please know that you are worthy and capable of achieving your dreams. This crown is not mine but yours.”

This is truly a historic time for black women and girls. Representation is so important in every field and it is amazing that young black girls growing up today get to witness having five black queens simultaneously. A new Miss America will be crowned tomorrow, December 19, 2019. I have my fingers crossed for the beautiful black women representing my two home states, Miss Texas Chandler Foreman and Miss Tennessee Brianna Mason. Having five beautiful, talented, intelligent black queens won’t last forever, but it is important that we cherish it, celebrate it, and show our little black girls that anything is possible!