Black American

 BLACK AMERICAN

The black community in the United States are the descendants of enslaved Africans during the Atlantic slave trade that happened in the 16th century. Because of their history, many black people in the United States are unable to trace their African origins but historical records show that their ancestors originated from ethnic groups in the Western and Central regions of Africa. The black community of the United States developed their own distinct identity which combines European settler culture and languages with surviving elements of their African origins. Some are also of mixed ancestry, reflecting the colonial history of the United States. They are also known by the terms "Afro American" and "African American". The black American community also extends to the descendants of black immigrant groups from neighboring regions who have assimilated to the local black American culture and society. Let us meet my favorite black American beauties who competed in the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. While majority competed as Miss USA in Miss Universe, there are some mixed-race descendants who represented the countries they were raised in.

Corrine Annette Huff finished as the runner up of the Miss Ohio preliminaries for the Miss USA 1960 pageant. Born to a white mother and a black father, Corrine grew up in New Castle, Pennsylvania and was raised in the family of her paternal uncle. At the time she competed in the state pageant, Corrine was based in Youngstown, Ohio, working as a telephone operator while pursuing a degree to become a teacher. Corrine was soon sent to compete as Miss Ohio in the Miss USA 1960 pageant after the original winner was disqualified for not meeting the minimum age requirement. During the pageant, Corrine became notable among the press for being the first black woman to compete in the Miss USA pageant. The olive-skinned beauty with a pixie hairstyle finished among the Top 15 semi-finalists.

Dorthy Loretta Johnson won the Miss Idaho preliminaries for the Miss USA 1964 pageant. Born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho, Dorthy's parents are originally from Athens, Georgia. At the time she won the state pageant, Dorthy was working as a telephone operator while pursuing a degree in elementary education. The statuesque black beauty soon represented Idaho in the Miss USA 1964 pageant. Her participation in the pageant sparked massive attention from the press as during that time, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin, has just been passed. A favorite during the pageant, Dorthy scored Idaho's first placement in the pageant by finishing among the Top 15 semi-finalists.

Gloria Jon won the title of Miss New York State 1965. Born in Mississippi, Gloria and her  family soon moved to Chicago, Illinois and eventually settled in New York City, New York. At the time she won the state title, she has been doing modeling jobs and has previously worked as a Playboy Bunny. Gloria, who enjoys playing chess and tennis, soon became New York's delegate in the Miss USA 1965 pageant and finished among the Top 15 semi-finalists.

Months later after the pageant, Gloria revealed to the press that she had been stripped of her Miss New York State title; she alleged that her dismissal was because the pageant organizers did not want a black titleholder. However, the pageant organizers insisted that Gloria was stripped of her title due to unwillingness to fulfill the obligations of the title.

Alberta Phillips won the title of Miss New York State - Universe 1972. Hailing from Westbury, Alberta was pursuing a college degree at the time she won the title. Alberta soon represented the state of New York in the Miss USA 1972 pageant. Noted for her exotic looks and charming personality, the voluptuous black beauty became a favorite during the pageant. After being announced as among the Top 12 semi-finalists, Alberta eventually finished as 1st runner up.

Halle Berry won the title of Miss Ohio USA 1986. Born and raised in Cleveland, Halle comes from a mixed background; her American father is black while her mother is English, originally from Liverpool, United Kingdom. At the time she won the state title, Halle has won several beauty titles and was pursuing a fine arts degree majoring in voice and theater. She soon became Ohio's delegate in the Miss USA 1986 pageant. Halle became a favorite to win the title, being noted for stunning looks and charisma. During the pageant finals, the biracial beauty topped the interview portion and eventually finished as 1st runner-up.

As the 1st runner up of the Miss USA 1986 pageant, Halle was appointed the title Miss World USA 1986 to become the United States' delegate in the Miss World 1986 pageant, held in London, United Kingdom. She was a huge favorite among the press and eventually finished among the Top 7 finalists.

Years after the pageant, Halle pursued an acting career, relocating to New York and eventually in Los Angeles. Initially appearing in TV sitcoms, she soon started appearing in mainstream films and eventually took on lead roles in blockbuster Hollywood films. She would become a celebrated actress in the United States and abroad, having won many acting awards and international recognitions.

BLACK AMERICAN

Canada 1989

Juliette Powell won the Miss Canada 1989 pageant. Born in Manhattan, New York, she comes from a multiracial background; her American father is black while her Canadian mother is of French descent. She and her mother then moved to Canada, eventually residing in Montreal. At the time she won the national pageant, Juliette was working as a part-time model while pursuing a business degree. She has previously worked as a government survey assistant and a college administrative assistant. Celebrated as the first black woman to win the Miss Canada title, the statuesque beauty soon became Canada's representative in the Miss Universe 1989 pageant held in Cancun, Mexico.

After her reign as Miss Canada, Juliette became a video jockey and a host for a dance music show based in Toronto. Juliette soon became a correspondent in the business reporting industry and eventually opened her own media and consulting company.

USA 1990

Carole Anne-Marie Gist won the title of Miss Michigan USA 1990. Carole hails from Detroit and at the time she won the state title, was pursuing a degree in management and marketing and has also done modeling jobs. 

Carole soon represented the state of Michigan in the Miss USA 1990 pageant. With her elegance and eloquence, the towering black beauty became a huge favorite during the pageant finals, topping both the swimsuit and evening gown rounds, eventually winning the title of Miss USA 1990. Her victory was notable as she is celebrated as the first black woman to win the Miss USA title and it was also the first victory for the state of Michigan in the Miss USA pageant.

Weeks later, Carole competed as Miss USA in the Miss Universe 1990 pageant held in Los Angeles, California. Noted for her toned figure and excellent stage presence, Carole finished as 1st runner-up.

USA 1993

Kenya Summer Moore won the title of Miss Michigan USA 1993. Born and raised in Detroit, Kenya has competed in a number in local beauty titles. At the time she won the state title, Kenya was pursuing a degree in psychology and was also working as a part-time model. Kenya soon became Michigan's delegate in the Miss USA 1993 pageant. Noted for her excellent modeling skills and ebony complexion, Kenya obtained the highest score during the preliminary competition. After a strong performance during the pageant finals, she was crowned as Miss USA 1993; a second victory for the state of Michigan.

Kenya soon competed as Miss USA in the Miss  Universe 1993 pageant held in Mexico City, Mexico. A favorite during the pageant, the statuesque black beauty was announced as among the Top 10 semi-finalists and eventually finished among the Top 6 finalists.

After her reign as Miss USA, Kenya embarked on an acting career. She has since appeared in many American TV shows, films, advertisements and music videos.

Japan 2015

Ariana Miyamoto (宮本 エリアナ) won the title of Miss Universe Japan 2015. Born as Ariana Stanfield, she comes from a mixed background; her mother is Japanese while her black American father is originally from Jacksonville, Arkansas. Born and raised in Sasebo, Ariana has briefly lived in Arkansas spending time with her father's side of the family. At the time she won the national title, Ariana was pursuing a modeling career and has previously worked as a bartender. Her victory also attracted global attention, with her being celebrated as the first black woman to win the Miss Universe Japan title. Ariana soon represented Japan in the Miss Universe 2015 pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Admired for her exotic looks and inspiring life story, Ariana became a favorite during the pageant and eventually finished among the Top 10 semi-finalists.

USA 2016

Deshauna Barber won the title of Miss District of Columbia USA 2016. Born in Columbus, Georgia, Deshauna comes from a family who are US Army veterans. Because of her parents' military career, Deshauna grew up living in various states across the country. She won the title after several attempts in both the District of Columbia and Virgina state pageants. Deshauna holds a bachelor's degree in business management and is also a master's graduate of computer information systems. She is a member of US military, having served in the US Army Reserve since her teenage years, becoming a logistics commander. At the time she won the state title, she was based in Washington, D.C. and was working as an IT analyst. Deshauna soon represented the District of Columbia in the Miss USA 2016 pageant. Noted for her charm and strong interview skills, the slender, ebony-skinned beauty emerged to win the title of Miss USA 2016.

Deshauna soon competed as Miss USA in the Miss Universe 2016 pageant held in Manila, Philippines. A favorite during the pageant, she was among the delegates selected to model in the Philippine Terno and Mindanao Tapestry fashion shows. During the pageant finals, she finished among the Top 9 semi-finalists.

USA 2017

Kára Deidra McCullough won the title of Miss District of Columbia USA 2017. She won the title on her third attempt, finishing as 1st runner-up in 2015 and 2016. Kára is a chemistry graduate and at that time she won the title, was was based in Washington, D.C. working as an emergency preparedness specialist in the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. She soon represented the District of Columbia in the Miss USA 2017 pageant. Noted for eloquence and competing with her natural curly hair, the towering black beauty became the top contender during the pageant. Kára soon won the title of Miss USA 2017, the first back-to-back victory for the District of Columbia in the pageant.

Kára soon competed as Miss USA in the Miss Universe 2017 pageant, held in Las Vegas, Nevada. A favorite during the pageant, Kára eventually finished among the Top 10 semi-finalists.

USA 2019

Cheslie Corrinne Kryst won the title of Miss North Carolina USA 2019. She won the title on her third attempt having been 4th runner-up in 2017 and placing in the Top 10 in 2018. Cheslie was born in Jackson, Michigan and comes from a mixed background; her mother is black while her father is of Polish descent. She and her family members then moved to various cities in North and South Carolina, where Cheslie completed a marketing degree, graduating with honors. She soon completed a master's degree in business administration and a juris doctor law degree. At the time she won the state title, she was working as a civil litigation attorney. Cheslie has competed in several beauty titles and was also a track and field athlete while in school. The stunning biracial beauty soon represented the state of North Carolina in the Miss USA 2019 pageant. Noted for her voluminous curly hair and toned physique, the eloquent beauty emerged to win the title of Miss USA 2019, the third victory for the state of North Carolina in the Miss USA pageant.

Cheslie soon competed as Miss USA in the Miss Universe 2019 pageant held in Atlanta, Georgia. With an exuberant personality and an excellent stage presence, Cheslie became a favorite during the pageant and eventually finished among the Top 10 semi-finalists.

After her reign as Miss USA, Cheslie became a correspondent for an entertainment news program and also did hosting jobs for the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Miss Universe pageant.