Aliza Warner
The second-ever Miss Black University pageant at the University of Mississippi took place on the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 18, kicking off one of the first of many events slated for National Pan-Hellenic Council week. The pageant ended with the crowning of Makayla Fultz, senior allied health studies major, as Miss Black University.
The event began with the introduction of the five contestants: freshman public health and health sciences major Katelyn Thomas, sophomore criminal justice student Layla Scott, sophomore public health and health sciences major Aniya Howard, sophomore allied health studies student Amya Benson and soon-to-be queen Makayla Fultz as they engaged in a group dance.
Following that introduction came round one: health and fitness. This consisted of the contestants showing off their strength while styled in athleticwear.
Next up was the talent portion of the competition, in which contestants displayed unique talents to the audience, ranging from poetry reading to traditional table setting and dancing. Evening wear followed, with contestants donned in shimmering gowns of reds, pinks and greens. Immediately after came the questions and answers portion of the competition. Contestants picked their questions at random, providing answers to who their role model is or how they define success.
After a short intermission and remarks from UM’s NPHC President Jatoni Donaldson, came the most significant moment of the pageant — the crowning ceremony.
Before crowning the winner, the award for Miss Congeniality — elected by the contestants — was presented, with Howard and Fultz tying for the award. Fultz was also awarded Miss Photogenic.
Wrapping up the crowning ceremony, Thomas was crowned Miss Black Teen University. For the reigning moment, Fultz, wearing a green-sequined gown, was crowned Miss Black University 2024.
Following the competition, Fultz shared that getting out of her comfort zone and putting in the effort to succeed alongside her fellow contestants made the whole experience enjoyable and memorable.
“I think that taking the time out to participate with these young ladies was the best thing that I could have ever done,” Fultz said.
Pageant coordinator and senior public health and health studies major Jada Smith expressed a similar sentiment, explaining that one of her favorite aspects of putting together this year’s pageant was seeing the contestants prosper through their work.
“My favorite thing about putting together this event was watching the girls. From day one to now, they grew tremendously,” Smith said. “Their confidence grew, their personalities grew and I just love being able to see that today.”
