A black woman and a biracial woman have both recently won HUGE titles in the world of pageantry and I haven’t seen much press for them. Today is all about Nia Imani Franklin, Miss America 2019, and Kaleigh Harris who won Miss Teen America this past week. I am in awe when looking at these beautiful women!
Nia Imani Harris, according to Wikipedia is an American composer, singer and Miss America 2019. She won the title of Miss New York 2018 just three months before her amazing feat for the country’s crown. Nia is an unambiguous black woman and from the likes of Instagram, a force to be reckoned with. At 25 years-old she is a classically trained opera singer, a feat that I have never known a black woman to hold the title for. Her aspirations are to win a Grammy and she is an open advocate for supporting arts, which are the cusp of budget cuts from a number of school systems. If you follow her socials’ you can find her broadcasting her music or attending an event for one cause or another. Her beauty is undeniable, and somehow she manages to radiate a good spirit through social media.
Kaleigh Garris, 18, is a bi-racial competitive dancer and model from Milford, Connecticut. On April 28th, she defeated 51 other young ladies to gain the title of Miss Teen USA 2019. All while wearing her natural afro. I was unaware of her before seeing her win, through Nia’s instagram story.
Garris studies theater at ACES ECA and founded an organization called We Are People 1st to assist people with disabilities, based on what she has witnessed from her older sister, who has disabilities. She has been trained in contemporary, jazz, pointe, hip hop and tap dance and has been a hiking tour guide in the New Haven Parks and Recreation Department’s Eco Camps, the release said.
Milford teenager Kaliegh Garris named Miss Teen USA 2019. (2019, April 29). Retrieved from https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Milford-teenager-Kaliegh-Garris-named-Miss-Teen-13803848.php
“During the contest you know you have self-doubt because there are so many great people,” Garris said in the release. “I am just happy, proud, and grateful for the support system I have.”
After graduating high school, Garris plans to attend Southern Connecticut State University’s nursing program to one day work as a trauma nurse. She currently volunteers at Yale New Haven Hospital.
It’s crucial that we support these women in future endeavors and congratulate them for their perseverance and achievement thus far! We have to promote the representation we want to go mainstream. More than likes and retweets, word of mouth and constant support will cause individual success and elevation of the better black woman image.
Edit 05/02: It has been brought to my attention that Ms. Garris is a bi-racial woman and I have edited the above article to fit that information. I still congratulate both women and will continue to support; however, let it be clear there is a difference. I am not a one-drop ruler, I recognize the separation between bi-racial and black.