Krystle Clear Pageant Review: 2018 Miss Black US Ambassador Pageant

Is black girl magic real? Is black pageantry still relevant? In case you did not know the answer to those questions, the Miss Black US Ambassador Pageant answered them with a resounding YES this past weekend. On Saturday, July 28, 2018, I attended the Miss Black US Ambassador final competition in Atlanta, Georgia. The event took place at 5:00 p.m. (EST) at the Impact Event Center.  The pageant commenced with an energetic opening number and introductions of the Teen and Miss Contestants. The hosts were Tecoya Harris, Founder of Black Girls Reign and Vince Bailey, Media Producer and Announcer.

Related content: The Royal Movement Known as Black Girls Reign

 

 

The hosts provided the audience with insight on what occurred pageant weekend. The contestants experienced a Wakanda-themed Media Night, Women in Business Networking Event at Top Golf, The Center for Civil and Human Rights visit, Call Me Ambassador Conference and Luncheon, and Black Girl Healing Event with Girl Trek. The hosts then proceeded to announce special awards along with the top 7 and top 12 in Teen and Miss Divisions, respectively. The following accolades were awarded:

 

Community Build Award

Teen: Brooklyn Douglass (Oklahoma)

Miss: Ashleigh Montford (Georgia)

 

Photogenic

Teen: Imani Johnson (North Carolina)

Miss: Jaelah Wright (Mississippi)

 

Teen Top 7

Janyah Oliver (Georgia)

Maya Gregoire (Illinois)

Emoni Clark (Nevada)

Trinity Bryant (New York)

Imani Johnson (North Carolina)

Brooklyn Douglass (Oklahoma)

Kortni Roberts (South Carolina)

 

Miss Top 12

KaShunti Farmer (Alabama)

Tai Teamer (Louisiana)

Kayla Walter (Maryland)

Kendrea Crite (Midwest)

Jaelah Wright (Mississippi)

Shakira Abney (New Jersey)

Ciara Weaver (North Central)

Oluwakemi Olurotimi (Oklahoma)

Medelina Charles (South Atlantic)

Erin Pitts (South Carolina)

Shayla Washington (South Pacific)

Arielle Hudson (Tennessee)

 

The Teen Top 7 and Miss Top 12 then competed in the following areas:

• Fitness (Sponsored by Fair Shade)
• Evening Gown
• On-Stage Question

 

The panel that had the important task of judging these contestants were Erica Bartley, Lori Flowers, Jamahl King, Taiesa Lashley, and Yvette Caslin.

After the contestants competed in fitness, evening gown, and on-stage question, the judges narrowed the finalists to a Top 3 and Top 5 in the Teen and Miss, respectively.

 

Teen Top 3

Trinity Bryant (New York)

Imani Johnson (North Carolina)

Brooklyn Douglass (Oklahoma)

 

Miss Top 5

Erin Pitts (South Carolina)

Oluwakemi Olurotimi (Oklahoma)

Jaelah Wright (Mississippi)

Arielle Hudson (Tennessee)

Shayla Washington (South Pacific)

 

The finalists competed in one last on stage question before the winners were announced. Before the queens and runner ups were announced, there was a special performance by the Boykin Girls. The Boykin Girls are a quartet based in Atlanta with a diverse background in musical theater and multi-media entertainment. After the performance and the final walk of the outgoing queens, Miss Black Teen US Ambassador, Miss Black US Ambassador, and their courts were announced.

 

Teen

2^nd Runner Up: Trinity Bryant

1^st Runner Up: Imani Johnson

2018 Miss Black Teen US Ambassador: Brooklyn Douglas

 

Miss

4^th Runner Up: Erin Pitts

3^rd Runner Up: Shayla Washington

2^nd Runner Up: Arielle Hudson

1^st Runner Up: Jaelah Wright

2018 Miss Black US Ambassador: Oluwakemi Olurotimi

 

Now it is time for my favorite part. Did this pageant meet the Krystle Clear expectations?

Yes, it did! I was so impressed with the promptness and elegance of this pageant. I loved the fact they utilized technology to show video clips of pageant weekend throughout the evening as well as the use of a teleprompter for the hosts.

Let’s be honest: Who wants to hold a script in their hand for several hours? I wouldn’t.

I was also impressed they were able to have the production televised for the at home audience to experience. The caliber of contestants was impressive, and I know they will go on to do great things. This pageant is only five years old, and yet it is making great strides in the pageant industry. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for this system.