Miss Black and Gold Winners react to their win

Colleges and universities across the state embrace black history with Miss Black and Gold pageants

March 8, 2023

By Avery Jones | Editor

Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO, Ark – February is Black History Month. A celebration of black history was first established by African-American historian Carter G. Woodson, who started a black history week in February 1920 to celebrate African-American achievements, culture, and history. 

February became the official Black History Month in 1986, when Congress passed the law designating it. However, African-American culture is celebrated in many ways throughout the year, and the Miss Black and Gold Pageant is one such way.

The Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant is an event meant to celebrate the achievements and beauty of college-age black women. It is sponsored by the national Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, the first intercollegiate fraternity established by African-American men. 

The competition tests the young women’s beauty, poise, confidence, communication skills, and intelligence. The winners receive varying amounts in scholarship prizes, up to $1,000.

The Miss Black and Gold orientation guide dictates that each participant must pass an interview, a swimwear presentation, a creative talent presentation, and a public speaking presentation, as well as provide evidence of academic and professional achievements and goals.

According to the Alpha Phi Alpha Nu Beta chapter website, the first Miss Black and Gold Pageant was hosted in New York City in 1976 by the National Alpha Phi Alpha Convention. The pageant then became a national program in 1982. 

It has been 41 years since then, and the tradition still lives on. Several Arkansan universities and colleges have Alpha Phi Alpha chapters that host the Miss Black and Gold Pageant once a year. 

The Nu Alpha chapter at Arkansas Technological University in Russellville, Ar., was unfortunately unable to have a physical pageant, but they still selected a winner from their applications.

Zion Brassfield is the 2022-2023 Miss Black and Gold at ATU. She’s an 18-year-old sophomore majoring in nursing with a minor in leadership. She’s originally from Dumas, Ar. For her, winning means being given the opportunity to grow and learn.

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The Kappa Iota chapter at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Ar., hosted their pageant on Nov. 12, 2022. 

Kiya Luster is the 2022-2023 Miss Black and Gold at SAU. She’s a 20-year-old sophomore majoring in business management. She’s originally from Stuttgart, Ar. 

According to Luster, this was her first pageant. It meant the “absolute world” to her because it showed her that others see her beauty even when she doesn’t. She said, “On that stage I introduced myself to a new side of me that I always used to shy away from. Winning this pageant has taught me to embrace every part of myself, to never stop working towards what you want, and a few tears, silent prayers, and a smile can get you a long way.”

“On that stage I introduced myself to a new side of me that I always used to shy away from. Winning this pageant has taught me to embrace every part of myself, to never stop working towards what you want, and a few tears, silent prayers, and a smile can get you a long way.”

— Kiya Luster, Miss Black and Gold Southern Arkansas University

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The Theta Upsilon chapter at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ar., hosted their pageant on Dec. 3, 2022. 

Deanna Jones is the 2022-2023 Miss Black and Gold at ASU Jonesboro. She’s a 20-year-old sophomore majoring in communication disorders. Her hometown is Jonesboro. According to her, winning was a way to break out of her shell. She’s passionate about community projects and inspiring young girls to follow their dreams. She recently started a program called Empower in which she mentors young girls.

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The Theta Kappa chapter at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ar., hosted their pageant on Nov. 17, 2022.

McKenzie Sanders is the 2022-2023 Miss Black and Gold at HSU. She’s a 19-year-old freshman majoring in biology. Her hometown is Little Rock, Ar. She said that she had always wanted to participate in pageants as a child, but was bullied into believing that she wasn’t pretty enough.

“Winning my first pageant…was a very emotional moment for me and my family…but to be crowned after all of those negative denotations and misfortune that felt like baggage just ceased to exist anymore,” Sanders said.

“Winning my first pageant…was a very emotional moment for me and my family…but to be crowned after all of those negative denotations and misfortune that felt like baggage just ceased to exist anymore.”

— McKenzie Sanders, Miss Black and Gold Henderson State University

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The Kappa Kappa chapter at University of Arkansas Fayetteville held their pageant on Dec. 3, 2022.

India Young is the 2022-2023 Miss Black and Gold at UA Fayetteville. She’s a 20-year-old sophomore majoring in political science and journalism with a minor in African-American Studies. She’s originally from Warren, Ar. She said it’s an honor to represent the Arkansas District.

“Since winning I feel even more connected on campus and look forward to hosting events that bring us all even closer,” Young said. “Winning the pageant has also brought me a new level of self-confidence and poise.”

“Since winning I feel even more connected on campus and look forward to hosting events that bring us all even closer,” Young said. “Winning the pageant has also brought me a new level of self-confidence and poise.”

— India Young, Miss Black and Gold University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

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The Beta Chi chapter at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ar., hosted their pageant on Jan. 22, 2023. 

Ciara Jenkins is the 2022-2023 Miss Black and Gold at Philander Smith College. She’s a 20-year-old graduating senior majoring in biology and psychology. She’s originally from North Little Rock, Ar. 

“To me, winning the pageant means I have the opportunity to display leadership on my campus and promote important values on our campus and reinforce the family culture on Philander Smith’s campus,” Jenkins said.

“To me, winning the pageant means I have the opportunity to display leadership on my campus and promote important values on our campus and reinforce the family culture on Philander Smith’s campus,”

— Ciara Jenkins, Miss Black and Gold Philander Smith College

The Pi Psi chapter at University of Arkansas Monticello hosted their pageant on Nov. 30, 2022, but the winner was unable to be reached for comment.

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The Theta Psi chapter at University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Ar., hosted their pageant on Dec. 3, 2022. The winner was Jaidyn Simington, a junior radiography major, but she was unable to be reached for comment.

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