Many may think that beauty pageants are all about a pretty face; a thin, fit body; and a pretentious or tear-jerking solution to finding world peace.
The Miss Black USA Pageant and Scholarship Foundation Inc. defies those stereotypes and works to provide educational opportunities to young women of color who possess style and grace.
Among this year’s group of nation-wide pageant participants is Miss Black Indiana USA, Jasmine Lancaster, who will represent the state during the 2014 Miss Black USA national scholarship pageant August 11 in Washington, D.C.
Lancaster, a recent graduate of Butler University who is planning to attend law school, is currently preparing for the summer pageant. If crowned “Miss Black USA,” she will use her civic platform to promote awareness of various issues that affect the Black community during her reign.
The Recorder recently spoke to Lancaster to find out what pageantry is really like and how she’s preparing for her quest for the national crown.
Recorder: How did you become interested in pageants?
Jasmine Lancaster: I first became interested in pageants as a child. I would do pageants here and there, but nothing really serious. It was exhilarating, fun and I loved the tiaras. (laughs).
But as an adult I had sorority sisters who suggested I look into pageants and specifically the Miss Black USA pageant.
Tell me about your road to becoming Miss Black Indiana.
Due to various circumstances, the Indiana pageant went quickly. There wasn’t an official pageant, but I went through a series of interviews this year and then I displayed my talent. From that, they selected me to be Miss Black Indiana USA and represent the state in the Miss Black USA pageant.
What’s it like to meet and mingle with Black women from across the U.S.?
It’s so amazing! I’ve gotten to know the ladies pretty well. You learn so much from each of them. It’s not so much a competition. Since we’re all over, we participate in conference calls and are all in a group chat and that’s where we collaborate on ideas and discuss different issues going on in the world. It’s so fulfilling.
How are you preparing for the 2014 Miss Black USA pageant in Washington, D.C.?
Right now I’m preparing for interviews and staying healthy for the fitness portion of the program. There’s a part where we’ll have to showcase formal wear and our talent. I’m also raising money in order to get to the pageant and provide items like my clothing, hotel accommodations and flight.
What can a person learn from participating in a pageant?
You learn so many things, but most importantly you learn to love yourself from the inside out. You also get a good understanding of your opinions. There’s a variety of topics (pageant contestants) talk about up until the pageant and you learn how you feel about that subject.
Television pageant shows have changed the way we look at this type of competition. Do you want to clear up any myths?
I can’t speak for every type of pageant, but I can speak on the Miss Black USA organization. We want to show that it’s not all about the typical pretty face – we’re so much more than that. We are intelligent, we are career-minded individuals and we have goals for our lives.
To donate to Jasmine Lancaster for her trip to Washington, D.C., or for more information, email MissBlackIndianaUSA2014@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/MissBlackIndianaUSA2014; or gofundme.com/MissBlackIndianaUSA2014.
