MANSFIELD — The anticipation grows for the upcoming Miss Black Mansfield (ages 19 to 29) and Miss Black Teen Mansfield (ages 12 to 18) pageants on May 30 at 6 p.m. in Mansfield Senior High School’s Auditorium.
The significance of these events is the fabric of Mansfield’s cultural tapestry.
For host Nicole Brown Horston, who won the title of Miss Black Mansfield in 1990, the reminiscence of that crowning moment remains vivid even after 34 years.
“Every step of my journey, from the first application to the final crowning, is etched in my memory,” Horston said, her eyes filled with the same excitement she felt 34 years ago.
“Becoming Miss Black Mansfield 1990 was more than a personal triumph; it was a promise to inspire the young women of our community.”
This personal journey, filled with memories and emotions, makes reintroducing the pageants special.
Winners of the pageant will represent Mansfield at the Miss Black Ohio America Pageants in Columbus on June 15 at 6 p.m.
Under past directors, the Miss Black Mansfield Pageant has served as a platform for empowerment and celebration of black excellence, intelligence, and talent.
According to Horston, the pageant is not just a competition but a stage to showcase our young women’s multifaceted abilities and aspirations and to inspire others with their achievements.
For the women and teens of Mansfield, Horston’s mission is to make the pageant more than a glamorous event but a transformative journey of self-discovery, confidence-building, and community involvement.
“This pageant is not just about winning a title, but about discovering one’s potential, building confidence, and positively impacting the community. It’s a journey that can change lives as it did mine.”
Horston, now an esteemed figure in the community, views her role as the host of the upcoming pageants as a solemn duty to pass the torch of empowerment to the next generation of leaders.
“I want these young women and teens to understand the profound impact they can have on their surroundings with the talents and gifts they possess,” she asserts passionately.
“They are not just contestants; they are ambassadors of change and hope in the City of Mansfield and abroad.”
The Miss Black Mansfield and Miss Black Teen Mansfield Pageants aim to cultivate a nurturing environment where contestants are encouraged, mentored, and supported.
The pageants’ goal is to foster a strong camaraderie among participants, emphasizing sisterhood over rivalry and cooperation over competition, creating a feeling of unity and belonging.
“We are not just a pageant. We are a community that supports and uplifts each other,” Horston said.
With the pageants just around the corner, participants must attend an online information meeting on May 7 at 7 p.m. Please call Nicole directly at 614-831-1908 to receive the meeting’s details.