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The current conversation surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has made a disturbing shift, with important headway being reversed or erased. Now more than ever, it’s crucial for us to immerse ourselves in the legacies that celebrate our Black identity – including the legacy of Black beauty pageants. These pageants not only served as a platform for Black women to showcase their beauty, intelligence, and talents but also became a cornerstone of Black empowerment and cultural celebration.

The Miss America pageant of 1921 inaugurated what would be a long journey toward inclusivity in the world of beauty. It took nearly five decades before Black women were even allowed to participate. This was not an oversight; it was an explicit institutional stand. The pageant rules in 1937 blatantly stated contestants must be “in good health and of the white race.” Such a rule spoke volumes of a society that centered whiteness, as well as the biases and segregation.

It would be nearly 50 years before Vanessa Williams would be crowned the first Black woman to win the Miss America title in 1984. In 2019, Black Women held crowns in five major beauty pageants.

The history of Black beauty pageants is united in the broader context of Black empowerment in America, particularly during times when mainstream society marginalized or excluded Black people. Black beauty pageants provided a space where Black women could express their individuality, challenge harmful racial stereotypes, and redefine beauty on their own terms — far from the Eurocentric beauty ideals that dominated American culture.

The inception of Black beauty pageants can be traced back to the early 20th century, but the most notable and defining moment occurred in 1968 with the creation of the Miss Black America Pageant. This event was a direct response to the exclusion of Black contestants from mainstream beauty pageants such as the Miss America Pageant, which, at the time, upheld a narrow and racially exclusive standard of beauty. In a country where Black women were systematically denied opportunities to participate in mainstream beauty contests, the Miss Black America Pageant offered a revolutionary alternative.

Founded by J. Morris Anderson, a journalist and activist, the Miss Black America Pageant was a clear and powerful statement against the racial and beauty norms of the era. The pageant created a platform for Black women to be recognized and celebrated for their beauty, grace, and intellect, regardless of societal prejudice. Miss Black America was not just about physical beauty; it was about strength, intelligence, social awareness, and the embodiment of Black pride. The pageant highlighted the diversity of Black beauty, showcasing women with various skin tones, hair textures, and body types, dismantling the notion that there was only one acceptable standard of beauty. They also showed that Black women could be intelligent, articulate, ambitious, and multifaceted, qualities that were overlooked in the mainstream.

The first Miss Black America, Saundra Williams, won with her Afro and curvy figure, which was a distinct contrast from “the white stereotype” of typical pageant winners. Williams wore a bright yellow jumpsuit and performed an African-inspired dance. Williams held her title with pride as she stated, “This is better than Miss America.”

The significance of Black beauty pageants cannot be overstated when considering how they served to challenge the deeply ingrained racial stereotypes of the time. For centuries, Black women were often portrayed in negative and one-dimensional ways in pop culture. They were either stereotyped as the “mammy” figure, subservient and maternal, or as hypersexualized.

As the years passed, Black beauty pageants continued to evolve, with many of them growing into important cultural events. These pageants provided Black women with a unique space to embrace and celebrate their heritage, reinforcing the message that Black beauty is not just an aesthetic but a cultural force to be reckoned with. For example, the Miss Black USA Pageant, founded in 1986 by Karen Arrington, continues to play a significant role in promoting the empowerment of Black women by focusing on academic achievement, community service, and personal growth.

In today’s climate, where the gains made in DEI efforts are under severe threat, we have to remember the legacy of Black beauty pageants and their role in how they have reshaped societal norms. The lessons they impart — of empowerment, resilience, and cultural pride — remain deeply relevant, especially as many institutions attempt to erase or downplay the importance of diversity and inclusion. The celebration of Black beauty and talent in all its forms is not just an aesthetic celebration but an act of resistance, a reminder that Black women have always been at the forefront of change and culture.

Just when we think things are getting better, we get reminded how society still grapples with race and identity. Black beauty pageants were never just about a crown or a title. They were about empowerment, about creating space for Black women to define themselves and their worth. They were about showcasing the excellence that Black women, even when the world chose not to see it. These are the things we must keep alive, despite the current circumstances. Black is beautiful and always will be.

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