Miss Africa USA Organization is calling all its supporters, contestants current and past to join the relief efforts for Haiti and help in every way possible. Over 150,000 confirmed dead from the Earthquake that struck the Island of Haiti just under two weeks ago. The suffering is unimaginable, the hunger, the lack of basic needs to survive is huge. It will take many many years for Haiti to rebuild but some of those wounds may never be healed. What we can do for the Haitian people can never be under estimated. Every Dollar you donate, every item of Clothing you donate or that bottle of water, whatever you can do as a citizen of the world will make a difference.
Miss Africa USA is donating to the American Red Cross through the link on the Miss Africa USA Website.
Please visit www.missafricaunitedstates.com and click on the American Red Cross Logo to make your donation directly to the Haiti Relief Fund with the American Red Cross.
Let us all Stand together as One for Haiti.
Yet another lovely group of contestants were auditioned at the Crown Plaza Hotel Maryland/DC area in November 2009 for the Miss Africa USA Pageant. All very beautiful young ladies with a lot to share with each other and the world, about their African heritage, experiences in America and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those in need. The pageant has attracted very intelligent young women over the years. The young ladies at this audition come from very different backgrounds and have a wide range of career aspirations, some already in Medical School, some working towards a career in International Relations, some Political Sciences and more. These young women all have great aspirations and are the future leaders of the world.
contestants enjoy a photo shoot by Dami from Theorimages
Contestants listen to the Executive Producer, Lady Kate Njeuma sharing information about the pageant.
Information session at the Maryland 2009 Auditions at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Silver Springs.
Contestant Mamiesia Kabia shares information with Pageant Production Manager Mr. Kyle Haggerty at the Maryland auditions in 2009.
The Maryland auditions kicked of at 12noon and ran through the rest of the day closing with a dinner party for the contestants and their families. Each contestant had the opportunity to rehearse public speaking and it seemed very tough and challenging for many but they would soon overcome the nervousness and deliver great speeches. There opportunities for photo shoots with Theorimages photographer. There was also a session with the Pageant Production manager Kyle Haggerty who has produced the pageant in the last 4 years. He shared tips, ideas and suggestions for the girls and some rules and regulations.
contestants enjoy a photo shoot at the Oct 2009 Auditions in Atlanta
In Oct 2009 contestants once again gathered at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Atlanta for the second series of Auditions. Very beautiful African women all with a passion for Africa and striving to make a difference in their communities in Africa and in America. Each of these young ladies has a platform to share with the world and are looking to do so by participating in the Miss Africa USA Pageant.
Miss Linda Arrey welcomes contestants at the Oct auditions held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Atlanta Ga. Miss Linda who participated in the pageant some 5 years ago is serving the pageant to help contestants with their needs, making sure they are all meeting requirements and she is there to answer questions, offer advice and help as much as possible.
Miss Liya Endale during auditions, during information session.
Contestants enjoy a photoshoot during a break at the Oct Auditions in Atlanta
Miss Elizabeth Conteh past winner and Deputy Miss Africa USA who hails from Sierra Leone offered to give the contestants a taste of her experience when she participated in the pageant in 2007. Miss Conteh shared tips on how she prepared for the pageant from sponsors to talent and speech, getting support from the Sierra Leone Community and how her determination and hard work earned her second place in the pageant. Contestants were able to ask her questions and network with Miss Conteh as well. Miss Conteh continues to volunteer with the pageant each year.
Contestants were treated to a photo shoot by Harold Greaves Photography, a professional model photographer. Pictured above is contestant Chioma from Nigeria, posing for photos with H Greaves photography.
Miss Africa USA Audition Judge Mr. Vuvu Manseka gives feedback to contestants after audtions. The Pageant is always grateful for all the dedicated judges who judge the pageant each year.
Miss Africa USA contestants at Auditions in August 2009
22 contestants made it to the very first auditions in 2009 for the Miss Africa USA Pageant. Contestants flew in to Atlanta from different States across America to audition for a spot at the Semi finals of the pageant hoping to make it thru to the finals. Auditions enable the pageant management to get to know the contestants, their different personalities while judges also assisted in the selection process.
Miss Africa August Audition Banquet 2009
Contestants came along with their families and friends to support them through the auditions. Various stages of assessment involving public speaking, exploring their different humanitarian platforms, information sharing, personal interviews with pageant management.
Contestant Coretha from Gabon introduces herself at audition dinner.
Auditions provide a great opportunity for the girls to discover themselves and build their confidence levels when facing an audience or the public. Initially most of the girls start off very shy but with a little bit of training and inspiration from one another, a great speaker develops. Its amazing.
Information Session during August 2009 Audition
Training Session during Auditions Oct 2009
Generally the August Auditions in 2009 went really well, very friendly contestants who were happy to bond with each other, girls who share one thing in common, an African heritage and what it means to be African growing up in America. The challenges and the benefits for young women are pretty similar.
Photo by Kipepeo Images
Imat Akelo-Opio (Ugandan International Actress and Miss Uganda USA) played the Lead female role of Iyaloja “Mother of the Market” in a historical era in Australia by being cast in the first ever Production of Wole Soyinka’s” Death and the Kings Horseman” that opened in Australia this August.
Imat’s character Iyaloja represents the strong African Woman who keeps the tradition of her people and challenges the British colonialists. Imat states that she is extremely humbled to have been cast in a part that showed the true strength, beauty, intelligence, determination and wisdom that is the African Woman.
In addition Imat explains that Iyaloja carries the whole world on her shoulders for the sake of her people, freely giving her son’s betroved wife to ensure that the path of succession is complete, she is truly a mother and protector of her people, who puts her people before her needs.
The play is based on true events that occurred in 1946 between the British colonialists and the Yoruba people. According to the Yoruba tradition, the death of a chief must be followed by the ritual suicide of the chief’s horseman, as his spirit is essential to aid the ascent to the after life, otherwise the chief’s spirit will wander the earth and bring harm to the Yoruba people. The play is a myriad of colours encompassing traditions and modernity that applies to the world we live in today reminding us that tradition is strongly rooted in then African culture despite the modernization of civilization.
Imat has received rave reviews for her performance as Iyaloja and in a first in Australia the production is set to tour Australia, with the play also being incorporated into the Australian performing arts school syllabus in 2010.
Indeed this is a truly historical moment for Africa on the world stage and Imat is excited to be a part of this integral moment in the performing arts world, where African artists are seen for their talent and African theatre is used to educate the far corners of the world.
These are exciting times for us all says Miss Imat Akelo-Opio.
(Photo by Serena Epstein)
Miss Nyasha Zimucha, Miss Africa USA 2008 – 2009 speaking at the ‘I Luv Africa’ film series and community event where 5 African films were screened. The mission of the RWUL ‘I Luv Africa’ series includes highlighting possitive images about Africa on the global stage.
Posted in Miss Africa USA | Tags: African Film, Miss Africa USA
In an elaborate celebration at the Nation’s Capital, in August 2009, Fatoumata Soumah ‘Fifi’ was crowned Miss Guinea USA 2009. Miss Guinea USA pageant is a scholarship pageant which empowers young women from Guinea living in the United States of America.
Fifi as she is best know, did not only win the hearts of the Judges and the audience on pageant night, she also got some special attention from one of Guinea’s most celebrated Artists; Sekouba Bambino Diabate, an internationally renowned African singer and song writer. Mr. Diabate delighted the auditence with a live performance of a special song fit for the Queen.
Fatoumata was crowned by the Nation’s reigning Queen in Guinea who made a special appearance at the Miss Guinea USA pageant for the ceremony. Soon after being crowned, Fifi and the Reigning Miss Guinea in Guinea were treated to a special reception hosted by the Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea in Washington DC.
Miss Africa USA Scholarship team congratulates Fatoumata for winning the Crown and confirms her Place in the 2010 Miss Africa USA Pageant as the Representative for the Republic of Guinea.
For more information on the Miss Guinea USA Scholarship Pageant please visit www.missguineeusa.com
& Community Discussion Part One
Miss Nyasha Zimucha was a special Guest at the Annual Voices of September 11 event supporting families who lost loved ones in the gruesome attack on the city of New York. Keynote address was delivered by President Bill Clinton. Miss Nyasha was a volunteer on Ground Zero and offered her help to serve people in need affected by 9/11 attack. Miss Nyasha remains committed to serving the community.
PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON DELIVERED THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS.
PERFORMANCE BY BON JOVI AT THE VOICES OF 9/11 EVENT
MISS AFRICA USA ; NYASHA ZIMUCHA ON THE RED CARPET AT THE VOICES OF 9/11 EVENT NEW YORK CITY.
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