Miss Black USA

When I said that I would post everyday in nationals, I definitely underestimated how exhausted I was going to be everyday! Miss Black USA Pageant week was such an awesome experience. Being able to meet 27 other beautiful, intelligent, and accomplished young women from across the United States was an experience I will never forget. I have returned from Washington, D.C. more energized to continue to help young women uncover their potential, while discovering more and more of mine.

Preliminary Talent at THEARC Theater

Heart and Soul Prayer Breakfast

Of course my hope was to win the title of Miss Black USA, but I knew that if it was not meant for me - then God had better things in store. I was blessed to be named a semi-finalist in the Top15 in order to re-compete for the title of Miss Black USA; which was so great because my family was able to see me perform on the stage of the Lincoln Theater.

Opening Number! Can you spot me to the left? :)

The new Miss Black USA 2011 is Ocielia Gibson from Texas! She is very much deserving of the title and will do a phenomenal job representing us as black women and representing the Miss Black USA organization. Congratulations, Ocielia! So happy for you!

Day 1 - Wednesday

Blog Post - Thursday

Wednesday was a long, busy, fun day for us! We had breakfast at the Cinnebar restaurant in the hotel. Next was a fabulous orientation coordinated by Kimberly Brown, a former Miss Black Alabama. It had a great theme of water as a nourishment and a very special tribute that we did for "she-roes" from or related to our states. The keynote address by Clarissa Leater-Kenty was like a sermon and it was great to hear the word from a woman of God. Mrs. Kenty was Miss Black South Carolina USA when she won the title of Miss Black USA 1990, so it was very special for me to be able to meet her. After orientation we were able to have a lunch break before rehearsal. Rehearsal was hard work as I expected, but definitely fun! I am so excited for the opening number. We're learning the fitness routine today. Following rehearsal, we had the Red Dress VIP Reception. Representatives from The Heart Truth Campaign (one of our partners) as well as Calgon (our presenting sponsor). Each of us was also able to share what heart disease means to us - all of us were put on the spot for this, but you wouldn't have known from how prepared everyone appeared to be. Next was dinner and debriefing and then a good night's rest! 

I woke up this morning to not one, but TWO articles covering my journey to become Miss Black USA 2011! Here are the links: 

The State- 
http://www.thestate.com/2011/08/04/1921078/miss-black-sc-ready-to-take-the.html

Post and Courier - 
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/aug/04/stratford-grad-sets-sights-on-crown/

Please keep me in your prayers as this week progresses and especially today for personal interviews.

xoxoJordan Addison, Miss Black South Carolina USA 2011

Arriving in D.C.

My one word if advice for plane travel after yesterday - check your bags, don't ever carry-on! Carrying bags and wearing heels up an escalator is no fun - definitely a memory, but no fun! Yesterday I arrived in D.C. and the adventure began. I met some of the delegates and we travelled via the Metro to the Pentagon City Mall. We later went to see the White House! We arrived at the White House 20 minutes after the man who jumped the fence - so crazy! I know it doesn't sound like I did much, but my body sure felt like it did. I'm loving meeting everyone!

I wish I could upload pictures on here, but unfortunately I can't so check my twitter page (@MissBlackSC2011) for Twitpics and my Facebook (Miss Black South Carolina USA 2011) for updates!

xoxoJordan Addison, Miss Black South Carolina USA 2011

I'm Leaving On a Jet Plane

Maybe I'm not really leaving on a jet, but it is a plane! Today I am heading to the DMV area for Miss Black USA 2011 Pageant Week! I am flying from Charleston to Reagan National Airport, then I will board a shuttle to our sponsoring hotel, The Hyatt Regency Crystal City, in Arlington, Virginia. Today is a "travel day" for all of the delegates to be able to arrive at a time that is best for them between 12pm and 6pm. It's going to be a relaxing day - exploring the hotel, unpacking, getting to know my roomie (Miss Black Iowa USA 2011), enjoying the Miss Black USA Lounge, and meeting all of my #sisterqueens (Teens and Princesses, too!). I'm glad to have a day to get myself orientated, but I am very excited to get to work starting Wednesday. Here is a rough outline of Pageant Week starting with Wednesday!

Wednesday
Breakfast
Orientation - This is being oordinated by former Miss Black Alabama 2008, Kimberly Brown and I'm really excited about it! The Keynote speaker will be Miss Black USA 1990, Clarissa Lester-Kenty, who was Miss Black South Carolina - how cool!
Lunch
Rehearsal - So excited about everything I've heard about the choreographers that we have!
VIP Red Dress Reception with members from the Congressional Black Caucus

Thursday
Breakfast
Rehearsal
Lunch
Interviews (15%)
Dinner
Delegate De-Briefing

Friday
Breakfast
Rehearsal
Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise Tour
Reception with the Urban League of Virginia

Saturday
Breakfast
Preliminary Competition 1 - Fitness (15%) and Evening Gown (15%)
Dinner
Preliminary Competition 2 - Question & Answer (20%) and Talent (35%)

Sunday
Heart & Soul Prayer Breakfast
Rehearsal
VIP Smiles Workshop
Talented Teen Competition
Dinner

Monday
Visit and tour of the national office for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children with Breakfast
Lunch
Rehearsal at the Lincoln Theater
FINALS AND CROWNING at the Lincoln Theater!! (Top 15 are announced at the beginning of the show)
VIP Reception 

Tuesday
Departure Day for everyone except Miss Black USA 2011 and Miss Black USA Talented Teen 2011

This is definitely going to be a busy week, but so much fun! I promise to keep you in the loop of how things are going each day.

Don't forget that you have until Sunday to vote for me for the People's Choice Award! $1 = 1 vote, you can vote as many times as you want or in a lump sum.
 
Right now, I am hopefully landing at Reagan National Airport and getting ready to start one of the most exciting experiences of my life!


xoxoJordan Addison, Miss Black South Carolina USA 2011

Black Girls ARE Beautiful!

Last night while doing what else but packing, I was watching SCETV and was able to view the second part of a two part series on the show "Connections". The two part series was discussing the beauty of black girls and women. I don't want to tell you everything about it because I really think you should watch it, but I do want to share my thoughts. It was great timing that I was able to catch this last night! It is so closely related to Miss Black USA and why I wanted to be part of this organization. For those that might question the relevance of Miss Black USA or who are "nervous" to say "Miss Black South Carolina USA 2011" - this is solid proof why this organization is in existence. Young black girls, and even black women,have issues with defining and accepting our beauty. It is so easy to say that all women have the same standards of beauty to live up to. If this was true, then people would not say "You're so pretty for a black girl". Think about it ladies and gentlemen!

Here's the link to the video for part 1: http://t.co/9h5JDrq
Part 2: http://t.co/ii63k6m

Hopefully this will be a small step to help the understanding of the plight of standards of beauty for black women - within our own race and among others.

It is important to show young black girls that they are beautiful inside and out! They have talents, achievements, personalities, and morals that make them beautiful. We need to teach that this is where our beauty as black women begins. Once our young girls understand this and feel confident in their abilities, they will undoubtedly have more confidence to find the beauty in being a young woman of color.

xoxoJordan Addison, Miss Black South Carolina USA 2011