2024 Cincinnati Pageants celebrate African American excellence

All photos provided by Pete Coleman

As anticipation builds for the 44th year of the Miss Black Cincinnati Pageant and the 34th year of Miss Black Teen Cincinnati, the Tri-state is abuzz with excitement for an event that not only celebrates the beauty and grace of African American female teens ages 13-17 and young adults 17-24 but also emphasizes the importance of community service and positive platforms.

The pageant will be held on Saturday, April 6, at 2 p.m. (doors open at 1:30 p.m.) at Corinthian Baptist Church in Bond Hill. This year’s theme is “One Love.” The pageant promises to showcase each contestants exceptional talents and charisma.

Get ready to celebrate African American female excellence at the upcoming annual pageant! It’s a beautiful opportunity to witness the power of teen and young adult women in their achievements.

RLH Pageants Unlimited, Cincinnati Black Theatre Company, and the RLH Pageant Alumni are organizing the event, which Executive Producer and Director Donald Sherman is directing. The organization stands out for its rich history, established by founder and Executive Producer Emeritus Robert L. Humphries and his wife Jackie Humphries. Professional talent instructors and a fantastic support staff assist the event.

Donald Sherman, when asked why a pageant, said, “The pageant is not just about crowning a winner; it’s about showcasing the strength, intelligence, and compassion of these remarkable young women who represent the future leaders of the Tri-state and the global community.”

Both Miss Black Cincinnati and Miss Black Teen Cincinnati have a longstanding tradition of recognizing the achievements of African American women and providing a platform for personal growth. Contestants compete in the following categories: talent, personal interview with judges, evening gown, and impromptu projection questions.

In the spirit of unity and celebration, the event will feature performances of inspirational spoken word, dance, and more. The pageant serves as a beacon of hope and encouragement for young African American women, reminding them that their aspirations and dreams are valid and achievable.

The pageant Journey in the words of 2023 crown and title holders:

Samya Rogers Miss Black Cincinnati: The Journey: “My Journey took two attempts before I won Miss Black Cincinnati. I decided to compete multiple times because the process helped me build my confidence, even though I didn’t win the first time.

“Before the pageant, I was mainly interested in working on cars and playing sports, but I loved and embraced the significant change in me during the pageant. I was spreading my wings, wearing heels and dresses, and being introduced during the Center for Closing the Health Gap Expo, the most significant healthcare event for our community. My confidence and determination continued to grow. I also met young women I competed against, and they encouraged me throughout the process, and I gained friendships that I have today.

“Despite not attending college, I knew I had a story that I could share. I work in the male-dominated automotive industry and plan to own a dealership. ‘Be you!’”

Platform: “Through my platform on mental illness, I have been able to shed light on the dangers of not acknowledging the devastation of mental illness in the African American community, specifically to youth and young adults, which is near and dear to my heart. It is okay to cry and be upset but not to sit in your pain. Mental illness is akin to physical illness – get help!”

Highlight: “I was in my first stage play. I met leadership across sectors who inspired me to live my goals, specifically the women who look like me. The best part of any event is getting a chance to talk to the children and bring a smile to their faces. The Daddy-Daughter Dinner Dance is undoubtedly my favorite. Unfortunately, my father passed away when I was young, and I never got the opportunity to attend the event with him. Watching these young girls feel like princesses fills my heart with so much joy.”

Pearls of Wisdom: “Consistency is vital to achieving your goals, and positivity attracts positivity.”

Words: “I feel incredibly honored to hold the Miss Black Cincinnati 2023 title. I want to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Sherman, Mr. Humphries, and everyone who made this possible. I am thankful to my mom, family, friends, and supporters. My experience has been a fantastic growth journey, and I hope the next person who holds this title will enjoy it as much as I did. I am grateful for this opportunity and can’t thank you enough!’’

Nya Williams Miss Black Teen Cincinnati 2023

The Journey: “It was definitely worth the journey, not only because of the achievement of winning, but also because it symbolized the perseverance and determination invested in pursuing my goals.

“The challenges that I faced, as well as the skills and resilience I developed, contributed to my personal and professional development. Remember to embrace your unique voice, build a supportive network, and seek mentors.

Platform: “Prioritizing my Stop Gun Violence campaign in the pageant journey demonstrated my commitment to making a positive impact and reflected a strong sense of responsibility toward the issues I care about. I raised awareness through events and partnered with organizations, leading to positive outcomes.

Pearls of Wisdom: “I now share with others, especially youth and young adults, that you have the right to belong and are not obliged to believe the negativity in the world that tells you you’re not good enough. You deserve to be in any room you walk into, just as much as anyone else!”

Highlights: “Two of my most memorable highlights during my reign were participating in the Daddy-Daughter Dinner Dance and having a day named after me by the Hamilton County Commissions’ Office. I found highlights through my experiences at speaking engagements. Knowing that I had people looking up to me helped me grow.’’

Words: ‘’I thank God for helping me understand His vision for me. I am grateful to Mr. Humphries, Mr. Sherman, and the entire pageant team for guiding me. Thanks to their support, I had a successful reign. I also want to thank my mother and family, as I could not have achieved this without them.’’

As the city awaits this spectacular event, both the Miss Black Cincinnati and Miss Black Teen Cincinnati Pageant continue to stand as a testament to the strength and resilience of Cincinnati’s African American community. Thanks to community and faith leaders, businesses, long-time supporters, family, and friends, all coming together to encourage our youth and young adults to embrace their self-discovery, empowerment, and service under the umbrella of “One Love,” while having fun.

Hosts for the event are Courtis Fuller, City Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, Dr. Shelly J. Hamler and P Ann Everson-Price.

To attend or support these talented young women, tickets, donations and sponsorship information are available at the Cincinnati Black Theatre Company website or by calling 513 241-6060 or 513 236-5942. CBTC is a registered non-profit.