I cannot believe that in less than 48 hours, I and four others will embark on an unbelieveable journey of salvation, hope, freedom and spiritual growth to Nigeria and Kenya! Since I was little I’ve always wanted God to use me in an unsual way to someday travel and be a blessing to others. God is ever faithful because on Wednesday I will work with children in Nigeria.

I pray that each person realizes how, what and how God is trying to use them in their life. The fullfillment of being a saint is not about its rewards, but its reverence and service to the almighty. People have asked me, if I’m excited. Honestly, I’m feeling every emotion that any one person could feel especially since it involves the spiritual livelihood of others. Continue to pray my strength in the Lord. Allow God to chart your path, your life, your future and your needs. You WILL NEVER COME UP SHORT HANDED NOR BITTER. The joy of life and his power will spring forth in your life. God bless!

Tamira A. Cole

Miss Black Kentucky USA 2009

With a little more than half of my reign as Miss Black Kentucky USA 2009 completed, I’m charging full speed to the next phases in my life. It has truly been an amazing journey and the process of preparing for nationals has been incredible! I have traveled to D.C., Philadelphia, and across the states of Kentucky and Tennessee with appearances and promoting my platform. I am truly blessed for a wonderful experience. I’ve lobbied, ran for the Make A Wish Foundation with  Miss Kentucky International, Monica Lacovitch, built strong friendships with some of the most beautiful, talented and independent women that I have ever met, promoting my platform, read to children, established my own platform initative with children in Ghana called Reach Out and I’m constantly looking to spread my wings for a broader understanding of the issues that should be addressed in our communities. On the other hand, being Miss Black Kentucky USA has brought about limitless opportunities from meeting mayors, university presidents to speaking in front of distinguished guest and performing in front of talent people to having an opportunity to model for various companies. However, outside of the photoshoots, being noticed or googled, comes a huge responsibility of representing a state as the premier African American woman. The crown is simply a microphone that allows you to carry out your job from day to day. There are some difficulties of the job (which comes with any): missing my family ( I’m  on the road anywhere from 2-7 times a week plus I’m a full-time high school teacher and author), limited time with friends (most of my weekends are spent traveling due to my other responsibilities), and constant attention to YOU (sometimes you don’t want to dress up or can care less if someone compares you to Miss Such and Such. I wouldn’t trade this opportunity for nothing in the world. For any woman out there that is interested in competing in a scholarship pageant: I say go for it! What the Miss Black USA Organization and all scholarship pageant organizations stand for are finer womanhood, education, self-confidence, sisterhood and faith. While my time is dwindling down and there can only be one Miss Black USA, I believe I’ve already won ten times over. The growth is endless.

Changes! Changes! Changes! Well I received my first teaching job on October 20^th teaching junior English and ACT Prep. I love my students and my school. What makes it such a pleasure is being able to work with several wonderful people, including my college best friend, Jennifer! Go figure! Things have been extremely hectic. I went from unpacking and picking up running with my graduate program to now teaching, finishing my first book and being selected as the 2009 Miss Black Kentucky USA! Life has been an immediate world wind of teaching, edits, photo shoots, appointments, legal meetings, graduate classes and appearances! I am so humbled and grateful. I can’t believe ANY of it! I look forward to the holidays. Hugging and holding my family! IT’S BEEN FOREVER!

Canada was a blast! As a delegate representing the United States at the 4th World Youth Congress, I felt humbled, inspired and motivated to take on the challenges of the world. Over 500 beautiful, talented young people from over 120 countries took part in this wonderful even of social change, youth governance and globalization. The friendships made at this Congress changed my life, my perspective on poverty, women and gender issues. The highlight of the Congress was being able to participate in a youth march into Quebec City!

Ireland was an amazing experience. After spending 15 days with 27 fabulous students from across the U.S., it was hard to bring myself to come back home. Not only did we spend a week in Dublin, we spent time in Cork, Waterford, Shannon, Galway and Limerick. A few of us went to see the Riverdance which was mind blowing! We visited the Aran Islands, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College and The Cliffs of Moher among other places. My class, Legends and Leprechauns was very exciting and fast paced. We spent time at the William Butler Yeatts Exhibition and to the Guinness Brewery. Overall, it was a magical unforgettable place!

Whew! I have spent the first week of the month catching up, cleaning up and writing papers for my three summer classes. This week I will be busy helping with the first World Conference and Victory Celebration at God Sanctuary Church! I am so excited! In six days I leave for Quebec City, Canada! My total mileage around the world: 11, 7986.67 for this year alone!

This month was mad busy! First, the August Edition of SHAPE Magazine hit the newsstands on July 3rd. I spent the first week doing phone interviews with The Tennessean and fitness blogs online.

I finally finished my book manuscript. Whew! After an exciting week it was time to take a quick trip to the 2008 Chi Omega National Convention in St. Louis. I had to literally fly 36 hours in between flights to make it back home to Tennessee and to St. Louis and Ireland. Chi Omega Convention was awesome! Nearly 1200 sisters from across the nation attended and it was a huge honor just to be a part of them. The biggest and most humbling moment was being named the 2008 Joebelle Holcombe Outstanding Panhellenic Alumna Recipient! I was truly humbled to have been selected at only 24. My hostess Beth Chapman was awesome and kept me great company. It was also a privilege to meet Patty Disque, members of the Supreme Governing Council, the Malinda Jo Tolley Women of Achievement Winners; Cordia Harrington and Beth Moore (the highest honor in Chi Omega) and many other wonderful Chi Omegas from around the world. I also had the opportunity to reunite with members from my Nancy Walton Laurie Leadership Institute of fall 2007. I was so happy to see Amy, Renee, Nancy, Sarah, Braella, and members of my own chapter, Sigma Kappa including our advisor, Marsha Green whom I credit for pushing me to excel as a Chi Omega!

After flying back from Convention, I headed back to Tennessee to prepare to leave for Ireland. It was hard, but I was so excited!

This month I resigned from my job in the Registrar’s Office to pursue my travels, academic studies and to finish my book. It was rather bittersweet because I love my entire staff and truly helping the students. My travels took me again to yet another university, Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, for the 2008 Social Change Workshop. For an entire week 120 graduate and Phd bound students studied the economic and global markets of some of the world’s most developing countries. I made tons of new friends and found it so hard to leave! After returning from Brown, I immerged myself into completing my book.

This month kicked off with my photo shot with SHAPE Magazine for the August Edition. It was a blast! Tamara Reynolds is a great photographer! Vacation time! This month I spent Memorial Day weekend in Sacremento, California for some much needed R&R time and needed QT time with my friends, Tiffany, Mehwish and Brian. We traveled to the Golden Gate Bridge, shopped and slept in!

It’s my first none travel month and I’m really excited! However, my focus went strictly to studying for Praxis Exams, finals, and sleep! I also found out that my fitness and weight lost story will be featured in the SHAPE Magazine August Edition. I am very excited! We only have three weeks to plan a photo shoot though! Only three more months until Ireland!