Royal Spotlight: U.S. United Queen of Queens 2018 Shamieka Sims

The Royal Spotlight is an interview series where I highlight queens from a variety of pageant systems. This month I have the pleasure of featuring U.S. United Queen of Queens 2018 Shamieka Sims.

Tell us about yourself.

I am Shamieka Bernice Johnson Sims, a 35 year-old native of Winnsboro, South Carolina, and a graduate of Allen University with a B.A. in English. Since graduation I have returned to my hometown of Winnsboro where I became a Reporter for the local paper The Herald Independent. I am also the Owner of S.B. Johnson Consulting LLC, a company which focuses on political and image consulting.

In 2014, to honor the memory of my oldest sister who passed away, the Grieving Needs Foundation (GNF) was created. GNF provides help to families who are experiencing grief in one form or another. Grief can come from a lack of clothing, food, money, shelter, or not having someone who cares. Since the foundation started in October 2014, it has provided food and clothing to families in Fairfield County and surrounding areas.

Currently, I am employed as a Regional Recruiter for Girl Scouts of South Carolina Mountains to Midlands. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband Michael P. Sims and our fur babies Annabelle, Max, and Rosie.

When did you start competing in pageants?

In 2015 I competed in my first pageant.

Why do you compete in pageants?

I compete in pageants because I love the sisterhood and friendships I have developed. It may be hard to believe, but pageantry has helped me with my self-confidence. I do not feel it is all about the competition but about meeting wonderful people from across the world who are making a difference.

How many titles have you won?

I have won 12 titles. They are the following:

Mrs. Fairfield County Plus America 2015

Mrs. South Carolina Plus America 2016

Mrs. Yellow Jessamine Plus America 2017

Mrs. South Carolina All American Classic 2017

Mrs. South Carolina State Fair 2017

World-Elite’s Royal Classic Mrs. SC 2017

National Ambassador Flip Flop to the World 2018

Mrs. All American Classic 2018

World-Elite’s Royal Classic Mrs. 2018

Ms. World-Elite’s Royal Champion 2018

Ms. Elegant Elite South Carolina 2018

U.S. United Queen of Queens 2018

Tell us about the U.S. United Pageant system.

The mission of the U.S. United Pageant is to promote health, fitness, and inner beauty among women and children of all ethnic groups while producing positive role models for the community; to develop women that will promote self-confidence, self-worth, moral, academic and social support for our youth; and to publicly recognize women who have obtained personal, professional and community achievements. The U.S. United Pageant was established in 2003 under the leadership of Marchia Phillips.

The U.S. United Pageant’s platform is Breast Cancer Awareness. After a scare with the possibility of having breast cancer, Marchia became consciously aware of how important it was for women over the age of 40 to get a yearly mammogram. While she was blessed with not having the disease, she has discovered that there are so many women who neglect getting a yearly mammogram. Some are afraid of the possibility that they may have breast cancer while others say they just haven’t taken the time to get checked. Yet still, there is a group of women who cannot afford to get a mammogram. She finds this very disheartening due to the fact that with early detection and treatment, a woman does not have to become a statistic. Research shows that many women in low-income areas do not have access to the test. Ms. Phillips uses her story as a means to encourage women to get a yearly mammogram.

What have you learned about yourself through your pageant experience?

During my pageant experience I have learned it is more important for me to stay true to myself and my values than to win. I have also learned I am a giver and love to support others.

What are your future plans for your pageant career?

I plan to continue to compete in systems that support great causes and allow me to continue to grow as a person. I hope to one day direct a pageant in my small community of Winnsboro, South Carolina, to show everyone that pageantry is not just for children but for everyone. I also plan to help share my platform the Grieving Needs Foundation which focus on supporting those in need.

What words of advice do you live by?

In everything that I do, I work to guide and inspire others. My motto is, “Life is worth living only if you are serving others.”

Please provide your contact information so that others can reach out to you. Email? Social media handles?

Email: sbjohnsonsims@aol.com

Facebook: Shamieka B. Johnson Sims

Instagram: Shamieka Sims