FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 16, 2008 -- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, - Miss Black United States Program announces the search for the Miss Black United States 2010. Seeking extraordinary, African American women who are accomplished, innovative, and talented to represent Washington D.C. and all 50 states during the 2009 year; state queens will compete for the 2010 national title during winter 2009. Areas of Competition include: Personal Interview, Talent, Evening Wear, Swimwear, On-stage Presentation, and High Fashion. Contestants can apply online at www.missblackunitedstates.com. Open to African American women ages 21-32. Deadline to apply is December 31st.

Every state queen will receive career coaching along with assistance in organizing her year of service action plan. Queens will gain opportunities that will

1

Summoning Accomplished and Extraordinary Women for Miss Black United States Program

lead to successful achievement of goals and aspirations. The more the queens put into this plan, the more they will gain from this experience. “We are looking for power players and visionaries! Every queen maximizes her reign by making a minimum of 150 appearances throughout her year. Being involved in the community is what enables our queens to acquire essential business and networking confidence. Appearances, involvement, and commitment, are the qualities that distinguish our queens from other systems,” states Sonja McCord, the founder of Miss Black United States.

Each individual queen must be committed to following the model set forth by the Miss Black United States Program. As a result, the program produces exponential results with a measurable impact across the

nation. The concept is simple. Empowering others while empowering ourselves!

Safiya Songhai is the first to be crowned Miss Black United States. Miss Songhai is an accomplished Emmy-award winning journalist and film director raised in Roxbury, MA. Currently a graduate student at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts at the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, Songhai holds a Bachelors of Science in Communications - Film Production from Howard University, and has attended Dartmouth College and Harvard University. Her civic platform is Improving the Lives of Children living in the Foster Care System. Songhai will crisscross the country, drumming up support for the Miss Black United States Program, encouraging entrepreneurship, fellowship and a new vision for the Black women of America.

Embark on an extraordinary journey throughout this country by traveling to Washington D.C. as program launched the official platform of Miss Black United States - The Bleeding Truth: HIV/AIDS, Heart Disease, and Diabetes Prevention. Becoming a queen of this system will open many doors, enabling the women to reach career goals, embrace the community, and build a professional network to last a lifetime. Immediately upon her crowning, Miss Black United States will write her year of service business plan, form alliances, and use her voice as a forum to promote her platform and the pageant system, along with the accomplishments of both.

The mission of Miss Black United States is to provide a means for African American women to celebrate their accomplishments, build sisterhood, showcase their talents, and empower the community. The Miss Black United States Program was developed to promote African American enterprises and innovation for young aspiring, entrepreneurial women—women who have a clear design of the impact that they want to make in the community and who desire to distinguish themselves as a leader and visionary. We are looking for innovative trail blazers committed servicing the citizens of the United States of America.

Miss Black United States was founded by Sonja McCord, Miss Pennsylvania United States 2008. Miss McCord is an accomplished dancer and choreographer who has studied and gained opportunities to perform with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Nashville Ballet. Most recently, she was honored as Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest Singles and finished 2nd Runner-Up at the 2008 Miss Black USA National Pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Apply online via www.missblackunitedstates.com.