7 Black Beauty Queens You Should Know !

Kara McCullough, Miss USA 2017 and Deshauna Barber Miss USA 2016

When it comes to the world of pageantry, black women were not always allowed to compete in mainstream pageant systems and faced significant discrimination. While there are still strides to make when it comes to diversity in pageants, there are many black women who have made significant achievements. Becoming the firsts, winning national and international titles, and becoming household names in Hollywood.

Whether you are obsessed with pageants or not, here are 7 black beauty queens that you should know!

Carole Ann Gist- At 21 Carole became the first Black woman to win Miss USA in 1990

Vanessa Williams- Became the first Black woman to win Black woman to win Miss America in
1983.

Deshauna Barber- Won Miss USA in 2016 and she was also the first winner to be actively serving in the Army!

Kara McCulllough- Is the current Miss USA 2017 from D.C, making a back to back winning streak for the District of Colombia! Kara is also a Scientist, changing the stigma for what a pageant girl is.

Halle Berry- Before she was a huge movie star, Halle Berry got her start in pageants. She won
the title of Miss Ohio USA in 1986 and was a contestant at the Miss World pageant in 1986.

Kenya Moore- Won Miss USA in 1993, becoming the second black woman to win the title.
Kenya is currently starring on the popular reality show “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” which
airs on Bravo!