Pageant seeks to empower black women in North East
EVENT GIVES ENTRANTS ‘A CHANCE TO SHINE’
A BEAUTY pageant aimed at celebrating and empowering young black women has begun accepting applications for this year.
The Miss Black History North East pageant, initiated by the charity Taste of Africa North East in 2022, is themed ‘More than the face.’ It judges contestants on their understanding of black history, community involvement and potential positive impact they could bring to the role.
The reigning queen is Oluwaseun Akinola Esther, a Middlesbrough-based make-up artist and digital content creator. Since her crowning, Oluwaseun has been an invaluable ambassador for Taste of Africa North East.
Vaina Lumbiwa, chief executive of Miss Black History North East, said: “Miss Black History North East gives young black women a platform to mould them to be whoever they want to be. It’s been fantastic working with the queens and watching them grow in confidence.
“Our first queen, Chikomborero Manoah, is a spoken word performer and watching how confident she has become performing has been amazing to watch. Our reigning queen, Oluwaseun, has always been confident but the experience has opened doors for new things for her. She is a content creator and her personal brand has grown; she now has 10,000 followers on Instagram (@thatflawlesschic).
“She has worked with us as a coordinator and admin for the charity’s Black Creatives and Arts Network (BCAN), attends all Taste of Africa events and has been very proactive in her role.”
Vaina, originally from Zimbabwe, has been actively involved in Taste of Africa events and is making significant strides with the Miss Black History North East pageant.
From a young age, Vaina participated in beauty pageants in her home country. After moving to the UK a decade ago to study tourism and hospitality management at Newcastle University, she sought to continue her passion for pageantry.
“I lived in Newcastle and I looked for a pageant where I could fit as a young black woman but the only ones I could find were in the south,” says Vaina, 31. The constant travel for pageants didn’t make sense to her, given her university commitments and work.
Eventually, she had to let go of her dream. However, she was determined to create a platform for women like herself.
“Miss Black History North East means so much to me. We’re celebrating young black women which is very close to my heart as we’re giving these young women a platform to shine. We want them to shine and grow. We want them to know that they are ‘more than a face’; entrants don’t have to have a certain look or be a certain size. We want to see their authentic selves.
“It’s an opportunity to showcase your talent, too - we’ve had poets, filmmakers, cooks lots of different creative talents,” she added.
Vaina cherishes her role and has taken all the queens, winners and finalists, under her wing.
“The girls call me Queen Mother,” she says. “I always look out for them and I’m very protective of them.”
The grand finale of Miss Black History North East is set to take place on Saturday, 28th September at the Leonardo Hotel in Middlesbrough.
The black-tie event will feature a fashion show, a talent showcase and a Q&A session with the judging panel.
The winner will be awarded a work placement at Mercedes Benz Teesside. The competition is open to young black women aged between 18 and 30 living in the North East.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, email: missblackhistory@tasteofafricanortheast.co.uk.
It’s been fantastic working with queens and watching them grow in confidence. Vaina Lumbiwan