Alabama teen crowned National Miss Juneteenth 2024

By Trinity Johnson
Contributing Writer

New Orleans hosted the 4th annual National Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant on Oct. 23, at the La Meridien Hotel.

The pageant, founded in 2020, was created to recognize and support Black girls all over the country who are doing the work it takes to be active in their communities, and promote Juneteenth awareness. Eighteen-year-old Alabama native, DeMia (Mia) Taylor was crowned National Miss Juneteenth 2024, an esteemed title established by the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation.

Prior to becoming National Miss Juneteenth 2024, Taylor, a senior at Gadsden City High School, served as Miss Juneteenth Alabama, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. The beauty queen has dreams in addition to pageantry, and aims to attend an HBCU (Historically Black College/University) – either Spelman College, Tuskegee University, or the University of Alabama, where she plans to study contract law.

“Directly affected by the 13th Amendment and understanding how the ratification of the 14th Amendment provides us ‘equal protection under the laws,’ of course my desire is to represent so called ‘at risk’ and underserved,” Taylor said.

“Two of the most discussed cases in regard to contract law is Brown vs. Board of Education and a most recent one is Roe vs. Wade. Based on those cases and how they changed modern America, defining what exactly ‘equal protection’ and which ‘laws’ we’re referring to is probably what excites me the most about being an attorney,” she added about how she plans to use her career in law to make an impact.

The beauty of the National Miss Juneteenth pageant is not just the platforming of amazing young women who are already working to shape a better future, but the values that the organization aims to hold, said Starr Fisher, the director of the National Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Program. Fisher shared that she grew up with Clara Luper, the first African American to enroll in the University of Oklahoma’s history department, and the mother of the Sit-In Movement. Fisher’s passion for Miss Juneteenth comes from being a mother to her daughter, Honour Fisher, who was crowned Little Miss Black Wall Street 2023.

“When organizing events, I plan events as if my daughter is attending and consider all of the jewels, I would want her to have as a take away,” Starr Fisher said.

“The generations before me made it a point to share the importance of knowing who I am and where I came from and why I have a right to the freedoms and liberty this great country affords me. I’m just trying to ignite a flame that burns a fire within a willing soul,” she added of the value of the pageant for this generation of young Black women.

Miss Juneteenth pageants have been occurring for more than 30 years, but the NJOF established the first national pageant. Miss Juneteenths from all over the nation were honored for their commitment to service, education, and keeping the legacy of Juneteenth alive.

In order to be considered for the pageant, contestants must be familiar with each of the freedom documents and be able to interpret them as well as demonstrate a commitment to leadership and community service. Following acceptance to the pageant, the queens attend a boot camp, where they are given coaching sessions, history lessons, and makeup classes. The boot camp process is completed just a few days before nationals, where they are crowned as the National Miss, or selected to be in the Queens court, serving as ambassadors for Juneteenth in their home states. The next National Miss Juneteenth Pageant will be held in Atlanta, Ga., in October 2024.

“Knowing that I can be a positive outlet, role model for the youth is definitely another push for me. There isn’t enough positivity and educational things being spread on social platforms,” Taylor said.

“Our generation needs more education, empowerment and encouragement more than ever. The youth and generation to come is our future so I do feel it’s important that we plant important seeds in them. That is what I plan to do during my reign,” she added.

This article originally published in the December 4, 2023 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.