MISS BLACK NM GOES TO FINALS
Pageant focuses on women’s strengths, contestant from Albuquerque says.
Alexandria Germain’s summer has been filled with plenty of excitement.
The 22-year-old University of New Mexico student was named Miss Black New Mexico in early July in Hobbs.
With the win, Germain will travel to Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday for the Miss Black America Pageant to begin the full week of competition and represent New Mexico. The event takes place on Saturday, Aug. 18.
“This is something I wanted to do, and represent New Mexico and help younger girls realize they can achieve their dreams,” Germain said.
The Miss Black America Pageant is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
It was founded by J. Morris Anderson and is the oldest pageant for women of color.
Anderson developed the pageant to reverse the negative propaganda of the black woman and her role in America.
“Today, the nation embraces black beauty, we remain ever committed to the empowerment of women of color throughout America, representing all of our sisters of the African Diaspora,” according to the Miss Black American pageant site.
The Albuquerque native is no stranger to the pageant circuit.
She competed in the Miss
America organization until 2015, when she took a break to concentrate on school.
Germain is set to graduate in May 2019 and is majoring in psychology with a minor in child development.
“I want to have my very own practice and work with kids who have been abused,” she said. “Those kids are our future and we have to protect them. It’s something I’m very passionate about.”
Germain also realizes how tough the field is to get into.
“I did shadow someone and I was nervous going into it,” she said. “It’s such a hard job and you have to not get emotionally attached to your work. In this field, you realize how ugly the world can be. You are just trying to make the best outcome.”
Germain’s mother told her about the Miss Black America Pageant.
In Hobbs, she competed against 10 other women.
“What I like about this pageant is that it’s made to empower women,” she said. “Its focus is to put a spotlight on how women, especially black women, can be successful and strong.”
In preparation for the pageant, Germain has been busy getting every aspect covered before her trip.
This includes, packing, practicing for the talent portion and going to the gym.
“It’s about perfecting my craft,” she said. “I realize more than anything that I’m not nervous. I’m anxious and excited.”
Being able to represent her home state is the icing on the cake.
And her platform is in support of Black Lives Matter.
“This movement has captivated the nation,” she said. “It’s a broad platform and I want to help people understand it. It touched on gun reform and police brutality. This project isn’t just about black lives, it’s about life in general. We all do matter and we have to get involved in order to make change.”