The Royal Spotlight is an interview series where I highlight queens from a variety of pageant systems. This month I had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. African-American United 2016 Kelsey Nelson.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Kelsey Nicole Nelson and I am currently the reigning Ms. African-American United 2016. Before winning that title I was Ms. Maryland African-American United 2015. I was born and raised in Montgomery County, MD, where I graduated from Clarksburg High School.
Currently, I work as a broadcast journalist, public relations/marketing specialist and event host. Most recently, I’ve been working as a freelance sports reporter in the Greater Washington Area, where I cover the Washington Redskins, Washington Wizards, Baltimore Orioles, Maryland Terrapins, Georgetown Hoyas and many other local colleges/universities and high schools. As a reporter I contribute work to Fox Sports Radio 1340AM, Black Sports Online (BSO), “The Roundball Report” and “The Sideline Report” on Prince Georges County Community Television, just to name a few. I have been able to cover sporting events around the country such as the 2016 NBA Finals, the Quicken Loans National Golf Tournament and events at the White House. Last month I also received my MPS degree in Sports Industry Management (SIM), with a concentration in Strategic Marketing, Communications & Digital Media from Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C. I also am a 2014 graduate of the Philip H. Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland-College Park. During my undergraduate career, I received a Certificate in African-American Studies and my Bachelors of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism.
When did you start competing in pageants?
I started competing in pageants actually pretty late in life. My first pageant I did was my sophomore year in high school when I was Miss Teen Maryland African-American United. Up until then I had been in modeling competitions though which helped me tremendously with pageants.
Why do you compete in pageants?
I compete in pageants because I believe they challenge me each and every day, and I always find out that I learn more about myself when competing. Pageants are not easy, and a lot goes on behind the scenes to prepare you for the pageant. Pageants have pushed me to become a stronger person ready to take on my fears. To me competing in a pageant shows that you have confidence and that you want to showcase a platform you are passionate about to create a positive change. A pageant gives you a greater platform to be a champion for a specific cause and helps you to reach more people with your message. For me, I have always been interested in closing the achievement gap between children of color and their Caucasian counterparts in math and reading, which is why I co-founded “Books Breaking Borders: Books to End Educational Bankruptcy.”Another reason I enjoy competing in pageants is because of the great people you meet from all walks of life and backgrounds which helps to build cultural competence and helps to expand my knowledge and open up my mind to new views.
How many titles have you won?
To date I’ve won three titles. I’ve been blessed that in each of the pageants I was in I was able to win a title.
Tell us about the Miss African-American United Pageant.
Created in 2002 and crowing our first queen in 2003, African-American United’s main mission is to celebrate the achievements of African-American/Black women while providing them an opportunity to be a positive voice within their communities and redefine the image of African-American/Black women. African-American United is not a traditional pageant because delegates are never judged on appearance or size. Instead state titleholders compete in five areas: (Community Service, Wellness, Social Cause (AKA as platform), Cultural Beauty and Achievement.
Why do you feel black pageantry is relevant?
I feel black pageantry is important because many were started because of the lack of diversity in some pageants and some of the high costs associated with being in other pageants. If you want a history context, it was a time in America’s history that African-Americans couldn’t compete in nationally recognized pageants. Black pageantry is important in my opinion because so often in media and by others definitions of black beauty and black success have been misconstrued. Black pageants open up another venue for African-Americans to enter the pageant world and truly celebrate #BlackGirlMagic. I believe that black pageants hold the same significance in the college world that HBCUs do in the college world. I give that parallel to say black pageants are a crucial need, and ones that we will need for years to come to continue to celebrate all the great things that African-Americans are doing. Black pageantry allows us to celebrate all women, and it celebrates the diversity that makes us unique.
What have you learned about yourself through your pageant experience?
As the reigning Ms. African-American United 2016, each day I find myself learning something new from all the different types of people I get a chance to interact with. I’ve learned more about my personal growth. Whether it has been speaking to young children or troops returning home, I have learned how to challenge myself and open up more to share my personal experiences in hopes it can help others. I also have learned more about people, different cultures, languages, religions and backgrounds, keeping an open in mind because I believe better understanding each other is the key to solving some of the issues we currently face in America.
What are your future plans for your pageant career?
As far as my pageant career goes, I plan to stay in the pageant world as both a mentor and coach to young girls as I always want to be a resource. As far as my personal future in pageants, stay tuned, I have been asked to be in some international pageants as well as to judge some domestic ones so I will just follow the path I think is best for me, depending on where God leads me.
What words of advice do you live by?
I live by leading by example. I’ve followed Caron Butler’s 3D’s To Succeed of dedication, determination, and discipline to get through life. Also, one of my favorite quotes to live by is from the late, great Maya Angelou, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
Please provide your contact information so that others can reach out to you. Email? Social media handles?
Website: http://kelseynicolenelson.com/
Social Media Handles:
Twitter: @therealknelson
Snapchat: @therealknelson
Instagram: @therealknelson
Facebook Pageant Page: https://www.facebook.com/msafricanamericanunited2016
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/KelseyNNelson
Email: Kelsey.nelson17@gmail.com
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