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.