This year the Miss Black USA Pageant celebrates 25 years of scholarship, leadership, and empowerment.”  Founded in 1986 by Karen Arrington, the mission of Miss Black USA Pageant, Miss Black USA, Inc. is to redefine what it means to be a courageous, compassionate, and confident African American woman. 

Chattanoogan Lorean C. Mays, former Miss Black Tennessee USA 2005-2006 and new executive director, made the announcement that the Scenic City would be the host for the 2013 competition and has delivered. “It is a blessing to see this dream realized and for my Hometown to host this outstanding event.” Ms. Mays said. “Over the past year the myself and the reigning Miss Black Tennessee USA 2012 Natalie Newbill have received nothing but love and support from the community and that is the true heart and spirit of Chattanoogans.”

“Honoring Our Past, Honoring Our Legacy” the 2013 Miss Black Tennessee USA Pageant will take place on Dec. 1 on the UTC campus in the University Center Auditorium at 5 p.m. LaTrice Currie-Tucker (WRCB) and Sam Terry (WNOO) will host this event. Special guest judge will be R&B artist and radio host Winston Warrior.

Governor Bill Haslam declared the week of Nov. 25-Dec. 1, Miss Black Tennessee USA Week across the state of Tennessee. There have been other proclamations from the House of Representatives and mayors of Chattanooga, Knoxville, Jackson that have followed to observe Dec. 1 as Miss Black Tennessee USA Day.  

“Receiving a Day of Recognition was an honor but for the governor to acknowledge us and then declare we have a full week was a blessing. All of the hard work that has been done has paved the way for this to be our reality,” said Ms. Mays.

Seven queens from across the state will compete for the crown and title.  They are:

Megan Piphus “Miss Black Capital City USA 2013” 
Kayla Moore “Miss Black Davidson County USA 2013”
Gabrielle Lewis “Miss Black Memphis USA 2013”
Porshal Reid “Miss Black Metropolitan USA 2013”
Katara Grissom “Miss Black Music City USA 2013”
Ariel Smith “Miss Black Nashville USA 2013”

Montrice Hampton “Miss Black Shelby County USA 2013” 

The seven contestants represent cities, counties, and areas of Tennessee. Versed in the realm of pageantry each of them have a platform that will help aid local communities.

Also on this evening five women and one young lady will be honored. They were selected based on their work in their respective career fields as well as being committed to their communities. “Giving back is the cornerstone of Miss Black USA, Inc.," said Ms. Mays.  "Each of these recipients has done nothing short of that. Being successful yet giving selflessly to others who may need a helping hand or just providing encouragement verbally.  A lot of women have gone above and beyond for others and their communities, yet never receive the recognition they truly deserve. I just wanted to make sure these honorees received just recognition and for them to know how much they are truly appreciated”.

The 2013 Honorees are:

Iyonia Boyce (Miss Tennessee Jr. High School 2013, Little Diva’s Incorporated)
Nicole Brown (Associate Director of the Office of Equity and Diversity and Adjunct Professor Communications Department at UTC) 
Faith Edwards (Co-Owner Chattanooga News Chronicle, President National Coalition 100 Black Women Chattanooga Chapter) 
Carolyn Jones (Owner C. J. Enterprises, Inc.) 
Angel Ulmer (Upward Bound Center for Community Career Education UTC, Immediate Past President of Delta Sigma Theta, Chattanooga Alumnae Chapter)

Dr. Elenora Woods (Family Dentistry, Dental Angel Fund Foundation, and Alton Park Development Corporation)

This event will serve as the official farewell to Miss Black Tennessee USA 201” Natalie Newbill and come to a close with the crowning of  Miss Black Tennessee USA 2013.

Miss Black Tennessee US 2013 will receive a prize package, be an ambassador for both the Heart Truth Campaign and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and reign for one year as the official state representative for Miss Black USA Pageant, Miss Black USA Inc.

Tickets are on sale now for $10 until Nov. 30 online http://missblacktnusa.eventbrite.com/ (Day of event tickets will be $20.)

For more information visit http://www.missblacktennesseeusa.org or email Lorean.Mays@missblackusa.org.  Follow on Twitter @MissBlackTN or on Facebook Miss Black Tennessee USA/Miss Black Tennessee Talented Teen USA.