Black Excellence Exudes from NAACP’s Pageant and First Youth Empowerment Awards at SU

During Southern University’s NAACP Week of Action, all eyes were on the Mister and Miss NAACP pageant at the University Event Center on March 22, 2024. This pageant was all about showcasing diverse leadership and representation within the organization. By having both a male and female representative, the NAACP can address the unique challenges and perspectives faced by both genders.
On that Friday evening, the event center buzzed with excitement as friends and family proudly waved their signs to cheer on the pageant contestants. As the competition kicked off, the contestants immediately raised the bar high. Their determination for the crown was evident in their passionate gazes, delivering a powerful dance number before they stepped up to present themselves to the judges and audience.
The event kicked off with a powerful performance of the Black National Anthem. After that, the hosts made their entrance to their signature theme song and went on to present each judge, sharing their backgrounds. During intermission, there was a countdown on the screen, building up excitement before the contestants’ dance performance and their introductions; Savannah Williams, a senior pursuing a degree in Mass Communications, Mar’Quan Culbert, a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology, Faith Alexander a Sophomore pursuing a degree in Political Science, and Da’Jon Greaves, a freshman majoring in Pre-veterinary Medicine.
Miss NAACP 2023-2024, Keyondra Carter, delivered a powerful speech on behalf of the chapter and then proceeded to announce the first set of the Youth Empowerment Awards beginning with campus superlatives such as Creative Catalyst (Peyton Weatherspoon), Social Star (Karah Rainwater), Campus Comedia (Nico Hardin), Master Multitasker (Kennedy Orr), Southern Spirit (Jordan Williams), and What’s Tea Award (Isaiah Clay)–which the audience got to vote on during the show using Instagram polls.
The contestants then moved into the first round showcasing their Southern Spirit with their outfits and cheers. Each contestant stated a variation of “I go to Southern, of course…,” a trend popularized by TikTok. This addition gave the audience more insight into their personalities.
A crowd-pleasing poetry intermission was given by Shemiah Allen about the brokenness of The American Dream and the work that still needs to be done in the black community. Her words resonated deeply with the audience, using her platform to shed light on important social issues plaguing society.
The pageant swiftly moved into the talent portion with a rendition of “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou performed by Williams with the loud intonation and theatrics behind the tune of “Rise Up” by Andra Day. “A Rose That Grew from Concrete” by Tupac Shakur was then performed by Culbert with an emphasis on the personal hardships and mental battles he faced in his own life. Then a performance of “Opportunity” from 2014’s Annie was given by Alexander, which she charged through despite the mic troubles. And lastly, honoring the civil rights movement, was Greaves with a rendition of “Glory” accompanied by dancers and picket signs in the foreground.
After the talent portion, the hosts moved into the Youth Empowerment Awards, which highlighted the work of NAACP members at SU. Amongst the titles included Rising Star (Kharis Taylor), Unsung Hero (Jodeci Ashford), Bridge Builder (Amina Mitchell), Behind-the-Scenes MVP (Makayla Crutchfield), Endurance Excellence (Keyondra Carter), and Future Trailblazer (Adekunele Ajyi) awards.
Once the awards concluded, Amber Lastie delivered a jazz routine set to “This Is A Man’s World,” infusing the performance with significant emotion and energy. Her dance articulated the message of the song with impactful movements, demonstrating dance as a potent medium of expression. The performance captivated the audience with its intensity and artistry.
A round of questions proceeded and finally, the future of SU’s NAACP lingered in the distance. Taking home superlatives, Savannah was recognized for her outstanding personality, earning the title of “Best Pageant Personality,” a testament to her engaging character. Culbert was honored as a “Charity Champion,” highlighting his commitment to philanthropic efforts. The event also celebrated the achievements of Da’Jon Greaves and Faith Alexander, who were awarded the titles of Mister NAACP and Miss NAACP, respectively. Their hard work and display of talent throughout the competition underscored the importance of recognizing individual achievements and contributions within the community.
Makayla Crutchfield, an Elementary Education major and sophomore from Shreveport, Louisiana, serving on the Membership Committee for NAACP had this to say about the event: “We hope that students learn more about what NAACP is all about. We know everyone knows about voting, but we wanted to reach and on a deeper level… I’m hoping that they’re Bridging the gaps that we have on campus. And feel wanted and educate our students because that’s what NAACP is all about.”
When asked how it feels to take home the crown of Miss NAACP, Alexander had this to say: “It’s amazing, like wow. It’s literally a surreal moment for me… All the hard work and I’ve been praying and like it literally paid off… You may think you’re ready for something and you might not be ready for it. So I just say, you know, sit back and just trust God.”
With similar sentiments, Greaves states,” It is an honor to be able to hold this title. A change I hope to make is to push for a better inclusive society to give everyone a fair chance at an equal life and make equal decisions”
The inclusion of both Mister and Miss NAACP titles serves as a testament to the organization’s commitment to inclusivity and representation, ensuring a diversity of perspectives is highlighted and celebrated. Faith Alexander and Da’Jon Greaves, in their positions for the 2024-2025 period, are set to play pivotal roles in inspiring and advocating within the community.