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Don’t we all root for the black, tight bodied participants parading around in the most glamorous of swimsuits in the Miss America or Miss USA pageants? It’s like if they win, we win in that moment of recognition that black is indeed beautiful, intelligent, and talented.

These ladies have been prepped for pageantry life since wee little tots, having mastered the stiff gait in high heels and signature back and forth wave of the hand while cheesing, white teeth-y grins. Hair is grand and styled to perfection and designer costumes cling to them like glove to hand. Lets look at 15 of these lovely black ladies who’ve held the title of Miss America or Miss USA.

“WENN”

Debbye Turner – Miss America

Debbye Turner-Bell is an American veterinarian, talk show host, former beauty queen, and winner of the 1990 Miss America pageant, which she won three days before her 24th birthday. Turner, raised in Jonesboro, Arkansas, was first runner-up at the Miss Arkansas Pageant, a state preliminary competition for the Miss America program in 1988. In the summer of 1989, she won the Miss Missouri title and went on to win the 1990 Miss America crown

 

WENN

Kenya Moore – Miss USA

The second Black Miss USA winner is currently the most well known and a favorite for many – Kenya Moore. She was crowned Miss USA in 1993 and has excelled in media since then, producing and starring in many films. She is also a reality celebrity as cast member on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and has a top-selling workout video

 

 

Nana Merriwether – Miss USA

Nana Merriweather is the eighth Black Miss USA winner. She was initially the second runner up, but picked up the Miss USA duties when Olivia Culpo, the original winner, went on to become Miss Universe. Born in South Africa, Merriwether  is a Duke University and UCLA Alum and won the title of Miss Maryland USA. She is the oldest Miss USA ever crowned, at the age of 27 years old.