ARETHA MAKIA SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR MISS AFRICA USA.

90%  of the delegates representing their countries in the pageant each year are either college students or graduates planning to return to further education and self development.  This announcement is a great initiative to prove to our young women that Education is the Key.  An educated woman is an empowered Woman.  This is a historical gesture in the Miss Africa USA Pageant, for the first time in its seven years of existence, a special Scholarship trust fund is set up for the winner, sponsored by a former beauty Queen.

Aretha won the hearts of Cameroonians back in the 1990s when she gracefully paved her way to the Crown of Miss Cameroon.  Her beauty is skin deep and her heart exonerates kindness, humility and love.  In 2010 the Miss Africa USA Pageant recognized her humanitarian service, helping to save lives and make a difference in Haiti after the earthquake that took so many lives. She was on the ground in Haiti saving lives.  Dr. Makia who is a top OB/GYN surgeon in Maryland is a success story,  a former beauty Queen who epitomizes the strength and real beauty of an African woman.  She has a successful career as a Physician and her love for fashion puts her on a different level, balancing a successful career, motherhood, an awesome wife and she is a fashion statement and will immediately light up any Red Carpet with her great fashion and style.  She has become a strong patron and advocate for the Miss Africa USA Pageant and shares in the pageant’s vision of empowering young African girls.

THE MISS AFRICA USA PAGEANT SALUTES DR. ARETHA MAKIA, A ROLE MODEL FOR BEAUTY QUEENS AND AN INSPIRATION.

Dr. Aretha Makia receives the 2010 WOMAN OF VALOR AWARD at the Miss Africa USA VIP Banquet at the UMUC Marriott Hotel.

In 2010 Dr. Makia was responsible for Asking those Final Interview Questions at the Pageant, to the top 5 Finalists after which

the Winner was Selected.  She has been in that position before and she did an excellent job to make the girls feel relaxed on stage as they prepared to deliver their final answers.   Dr. Makia will again be throwing those questions to the finalists this year at the pageant slated for Sunday Novemer 13 2011 at the Hilton Hotel, Downtown Silver Spring Md.

PLEASE JOIN US IN THANKING DR. MAKIA FOR HER VERY KIND GESTURE TO THE PAGEANT DELEGATES.

The Fascinating Africans Committed to Excellence Awards (F.A.C.E. List)

The Fascinating Africans Committed to Excellence Awards (FACE LIST) is the brain Child of FACE2FACE Africa, a media company highlighting the excellence of Africans world wide.  This is an annual event designed to honor Africans who are committed to excellence in their respective fields in an effort to contribute to the betterment of Africa’s image. A brighter Africa’s future is directly tied to the struggles of individuals who commit themselves to making Africa’s potential realized globally.

Face2face Africa believes that partnership and collaboration is one of the keys to restoring Africa’s image. For this reason, F2F Africa has chosen one non-for-profit organization that is contributing immensely to the development of the continent to be the beneficiary of a portion of the proceeds from the event.

Jewish Heart for Africa is the type of organization that Face2face Africa likes to partner with. This not for profit organization is committed to teaching Africans in villages who lack resources and education, the importance of being self-reliant. All of Jewish Heart for Africa’s initiatives are hands on and are geared to ensure that the local people learn how to create their own and be self sufficient from the process.

Queen Fifi Soumah and All Time African Star, Awilo Logumba at the 2011 F.A.C.E. LIST Awards in New York City.

The individuals who are being honored are the kind of people who will stop at nothing to be the flag bearers of Africa. They are our educators, our freedom fighters, our leaders, our culturists, our philanthropists, our artists and entertainers who have made a difference within the continent of Africa. Face2Face Africa seeks to ACKNOWLEDGE their hard work and commitment to enhancing Africa’s image with the F.A.C.E. List Awards.

Queen Fifi Soumah and Ghanaian Movie Star Jackie Appiah at the 2011 F.A.C.E. LIST Awards in New York City.

Queen Fifi Soumah and Princess Priscilla, 2nd Princess (Miss Africa Pagean 2010) attending the 2011 F.A.C.E. LIST Awards in New York City.

The mission of Jewish Heart for Africa is to bring sustainable Israeli technologies to rural African villages. The organization facilitates development in Africa using clean, alternative technologies in order to fight climate change, conserve water, and provide for sustainable economic development. The organization’s main projects include project soil, which installs Israeli solar panels to provide power to schools and clinics, and water pumping systems. Their other major project, Project Agro, uses innovative agricultural practices such as drip irrigation to make agriculture possible in regions of drought, providing food for villages and promoting eco- growth. The organization currently operates in Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda and aspires to expand to other African countries.

For more information on Jewish Heart for Africa, visit: www.jhasol.org

Please also visit FACE2FACE  and learn more about the organization on their website. Simply click on the link below.

http://facelist.face2faceafrica.com/about-us

The Reigning Miss Africa USA Fifi Soumah graced this occasion as a Special Guest of the Foundation to support the mission and vision of the organization.  Education of children especially girls is very close to Miss Fifi Soumah’s heart as she launches her own Foundation ‘Tears Away’ which provides scholarships for young girls in Guinea.

Queen Fatoumata (Fifi) Soumah on the Red Carpet at the MacDella Couper Foundation Fund Raiser in New York City.

The evening, hosted by Actor and activist, Mr. Isaiah Washington,  kick ed off with a live musical performance by Pop diva Zelma Davis, a collective designers runway show featuring African inspired garments designed exclusively for L ‘Africana Night by a range of designers including: Korto Momolu, Jedda Khan, Sunhee Hwang,  Issa Sorogo, Taylor Forrest, Lucia Eastman, Irina Shabayeva, Tedd Ion, Farai Simoyi and Selma Berisalic Starfinger. Following the show, each dress was  auctioned off.

Queen Fatoumata (Fifi) Soumah and Renowned Actor Isaiah Washington Interviewed by Hollywood TV

The Red Carpet reception and the taste of Africa Banquet kicked off at 6:30pm with the award presentation, runway show and performances starting promptly at 8:00 pm.  The night  included special appearances by: Actor Matt Dillon, and roster of world-class models including Millen Magese, Georgette Beidel, Animata Steele, Aminat Ayinde, Ashley Harris, Danijela Lazarevic, and Melissa Arocha to name a few.

Queen Fifi Soumah is interviewed by the Press at the MacDella Cooper Foundation Event in New York City.

L’Africana is a brand platform built around the design, creation, promotion, and distribution of African fashion, art, music, accessories, culture & cuisine. To date, African-inspired brands have primarily catered to Africans and a small number of non-Africans. L’Africana aspires to be a brand with strong international appeal through the fusion of African aesthetics and sensibilities with modern design, quality, and workmanship.

Ms Korto Momolu,  Fashion Designer from Project Runway and Lady Kate Njeuma, CEO of Miss Africa USA.

All proceeds from the event  benefited the MCF Academy for orphans and abandoned children in Monrovia, Liberia. The MCF Academy is the first tuition free boarding school dedicated to orphan and abandoned children in post-war Liberia. The Academy opened its doors on Christmas Day 2010 and will ultimately house and educate 200 children.

PLEASE JOIN FIFI SOUMAH (MISS AFRICA USA 2010-2011

ALONG WITH

ADIAT DISU, ALSION ROACH, CHENISA SHANNON, CHEREAH JACKSON, CHRISTINE KONTENSKI, ERIN BROWNE, FARRAH FOGARTY, INGVAR LJUNGGVIST, MALINDA KNOWLES, MARTIN SEGAL, MATTHEW K. SIMON, MELISSA BLASSO, PAMELA BELL, PAMELA BROGDEN, PETER JALLAH, SIMON TIEMTORE, STEPHANIE MATTERA, TAYLOR SELE, TILO STOLTZ, TONIEMAE KING ANDREWS, VERNA BROGDEN

AT L’AFRICANA NIGHT, A NEW YORK FASHION WEEK FINALE PARTY- STARRING POP DIVA ZELMA DAVIS, BROADWAY SUPER STAR SAYCON SENGBLOH, SUPERMODELS GOERGIE BADIEL, MILLEN MAGESE, AND ACTOR, MATT DILLON.

HONORING BARRY SEGAL, BISILA BOKOKO AND ANNA SCHILAWSKI.

HOSTED BY ACTOR & ACTIVIST

ISAIAH WASHINGTON

2 W 64TH STREET

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2011

6:00PM – 10:00PM.

11PM AFTERPARTY

WWW.MACDELLACOOPER.ORG

YOUR TICKET INCLUDES ACCESS TO THE AFTERPARTY

L’Africana™ Night is a celebration of the fashion, music, culture & cuisine of Africa! All proceeds from this event will benefit the MCF Academy. Special guests include: Actors: Isaiah Washington & Matt Dillon; Pop Divas: Zelma Davis & Saycon Sengbloh; Designers: Irina Shabayeva, Korto Momolu; and a roster of world-class models including Millen Magese, Georgie Badiel, and Aminat Ayinde to name a few.

L’Africana™ Night is sponsored by The Segal Family Foundation and Greylock Capital Partners. The event is being held @ 2 W 64TH STREET from 6:00PM to 10:00PM and includes an After-Party starting at 11PM.

Hundreds of supporters and fans gather each year to witness the Miss Africa USA Pageant, a very unique pageant which promotes the rich cultures of Africa.  Anticipation is always very high and performances get very heated as delegate after delegate tries to bring out the best of African culture on stage through traditional regalia, dance, drums and more. For those who have never been to Africa, the pageant offers a snippet of the African culture, knowledge about the continent and its diversity and much more.  You certainly do not walk away thinking Africa is one country like Senator Sarah Palin said on the campaign trail during the last Presidential Elections in the United States.  Africa has over 50 countries with a rich blend of cultures.

Pictured above is a delegate from Kenya,  Hilda Mauya. Hilda is showcasing a very rich Masaai regalia.  When you think of Kenya, the Masaai warriors come to mind and yes the Masaai have kept their culture very well indeed despite colonization and neo-imperialism, the culture of the Masaai is original.

Meet the Miss Africa USA Culture Award winner for 2010, Miss Angela Wambui, she is also from Kenya and again we see a different version of the Masaai warrior. Miss Angela stormed the stage, dressed as a traditional Masaai girl with all the accessories to go with the theme.  One thing was very special about Miss Angela: she went all nine yards to ensure every detail about her had Kenya written all over it, from earrings to necklace to shoes and hair pins, everything was Kenya and it was about her roots and culture, all very beautifully put together.

Here is a traditional girl look from Nigeria.  These accessories and outfit should immediately spell Nigeria in your mind if you are good at recognizing the originality of African traditions.  Miss Roseline Amusu, Miss Nigeria delegate carries her traditional outfit very well as she sings and dances to traditional folklore music on stage.

Who say carrying stuff on your head is not African culture?  This is not common in one country, I bet you, if you go to Africa, no matter where or when, this is one of the first sitings you will observe.  Women, men, girls and boys all do it. There is something special about carrying something on your head and it is not easy to balance that load on the head either but we Africans do it so well with no hassle…..LOL.  Pictured above, Miss Sierra Leone finalist Natasha Beckley is on stage during traditional African girl segment of the competition. She carries a basket on her head and still looks very elegant.  Miss Natasha finished the pageant as the 1st Princess or Deputy Miss Africa USA or 1st Runner up as you may call her. She is from Sierra Leone in West Africa.

The Beautiful Miss South Africa Yolanda Masinga presents an elegant ensemble from her native land.  We witness once again the tradition of carrying a load on your head is very common practice and very much part of African culture, no matter where you go. Check out the hat she is wearing, very common in Southern Africa, combined with the rich red and white colors of her outfit, she looks a million dollars. Africa is very beautiful Indeed.

The above is simply a glimpse of the traditional girl presentations of the the 2010 pageant, you can visit our website www.missafricaunitedstates.com for more info or follow us on facebook  Miss Africa USA fan page.

God Bless Africa.

Pictured above, Stella Atal, the award winning African Designer from Uganda poses with pageant delegates at the finals of Miss Africa USA Pageant 2010. Left to Right, countries represented above: Liberia, Namibia, Cameroon, Guinea, Botswana, Uganda, Zambia, Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda, all dazzling in Stella Atal’s Parade of Nations Collection.

Pictured above Miss Rwanda delegate Kadija Uwimana takes a stride on the Runway, modeling Stella Atal’s Colors for Rwanda, beautifully put together and well accessorized, hair Afrocentric, shoes off the chain and the best smile, showcasing the beauty of Rwanda, a nation with a trouble past marked with genocide and civil war but now ranking as one of the fastest developing countries in Africa. Up Rwanda!!!!!!!!!!!

Another feature of Stella Atal’s designs on the Runway modeled by Miss Ghana Agnes Ntow. This little dress is beautifully put together, looks very sexy and elegant. What makes it even more appealing is the way it is modeled by Miss Ntow with lots of confidence, beautiful braids, accessories, best heels and of course the smile.

Miss Liberia finalist Tracey Weah pictured above models Stella Atal’s design for Liberia. A simple top with the colors of Liberia matched with plain Leggings, you can’t go wrong with this combination. Miss Tracey keeps it simple with beautiful accessories a contagious smile and great pose for Liberia, the nation which boasts of having the first and only female President in Africa.

This concludes the highlights of Parade of Nations. You may follow us on facebook / missafricausa  for more photos from the 2010 pageant or visit the website www.missafricaunitedstates.com

Queen Fifi Soumah during Fashion competition

African Fashion, as beautiful and vibrant as it is, never gets the kind of exposure and media highlight that it deserves. Well the Miss Africa USA Pageant has embraced African Fashion and is committed to showcasing African Couture, working with Afro-centric designers to bring out the best of African Fashion on the pageant runway. Each year a number of well renowned African designers are invited to showcase their fashion lines on the pageant runway and the 2010 competition saw the best yet to grace the pageant.  Award winning designers such as Frank Osodi from Nigeria, Stella Atal from Uganda, Vera Ochia from Kenya and Akouavi Slater from Togo were all in the House, ready to take control.

African Fashion entails more than just the dress you wear, it has a lot to do with the accessories and so much more. Pictured above is Miss Twamma Nambili representing Namibia. You’ve got to love her hair piece, the Porcupine head dress, very spiky and elegant.  A beautiful smile is certainly a necessary complement for this headpiece, making it even more beautiful.  Kudos to Miss Twamma for carrying this whole ensemble with such elegance and grace.

I don’t know about you but this dress being modeled by Miss Nessie Abdulai representing Sierra Leone makes me go WOW, it is beautifully put together and well accessorized, combined with Miss Nessie’s charming smile, you’ve got to love it.  I certainly wouldn’t mind having this dress in my wardrobe for that special occasion.

Who says only renowned designers can design African Fashion? Well, Meet Miss Hilda Mauya representing Kenya on the runway.  This African Queen had a go at designing her own outfits for the pageant and of course, her pageant dresses were breath taking indeed.  She discovered her passion in designing unique styles and she is on the run with it.  Miss Hilda’s style won her the Miss Africa USA Super Model with Style Award. She is one designer we should all be looking out for.

When you think of African Fashion, Kente clothe will immediately come to mind for most people. Yes the Kente is always present on the Miss Africa USA Runway, thanks to the delegates from Ghana who always go that extra length to bring out the Best of Kente.  Pictured above is Miss Agnes Ntow representing Ghana, showcasing Kente Fashion on the Miss Africa USA Runway.  Miss Agnes won the Fashion Award 2010.

An African outfit designed by Akouavi Slater is modeled by Miss Roseline Amusu who represented Nigeria in the pageant.

Pictured above : Miss Africa USA management team members pose with Fashion designers who graced the pageant this year. L_R:  Miss Linda Arrey Pageant Manager, Vera Ochia, Frank Osodi, Lady Kate Njeuma Pageant Founder and CEO, Stella Atal, Akouavi Slater and Kyle Haggerty Pageant Production Manager.

Miss Africa USA Pageant will continue to promote African Fashion the best we can in collaboration with African Designers.  We Africans and Friends of Africa should do our best to patronize African Fashion and showcase on the global stage.

Fifi Souma is  from the Republic of Guinea Conakry, 21 yrs old, speaks fluent French and English, Full time student at Montgomery College with a major in Communication. Fifi’s platform is to raise awareness and fight against the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), promote Education of the Girl Child in Guinea and to continue as
a Goodwill Ambassador volunteering for America by teaming up
with charitable organizations across the United States to serve needy communities. According to the Judges, Fifi had a lot of poise and gleamed with confidence on stage, looked comfortable, is very talented and stood out overall.

The Pageant weekend kicked off with an elaborate VIP banquet at the University of Maryland Marriott Conference Center while the pageant show took place at Montgomery College Performing Arts Center in Silver Spring, MD. Both events were successful and sold out beyond capacity and we do apologize to those who were turned away because the PAC had no more room for anymore attendees.

A total of 32 finalists from different African countries participated in the competition and Fifi Soumah emerged as the winner. Fifi will continue to work on her Platform : raising awareness on Female Genital Mutilation and promoting education for the girl child. She will also be volunteering for America, joining major charities to help communities in need.

The Miss Africa pageant management proudly welcomes on board Dr. Emma Osong as the Official MC for the 2010 VIP and Ambassadors Banquet marking the launch of the 2010 Scholarship pageant.  Dr. Emma Osong has hosted several high profile events in the Washington DC area and she will bring her special touch of class to the Miss Africa USA Pageant.

DR. Emma Ngang Osong, D.M, is a corporate trainer, professor, and consultant with a background in aviation engineering, organizational management, and Leadership Development.  She has worked as a Senior Systems Engineer consultant to the Federal Aviation Administration. She serves as adjunct faculty at the Catholic University in Washington D.C. and as Graduate faculty at Argosy University in Arlington, Virginia. She has been hired to speak at several events including the World Bank.

Dr. Osong was Miss Cameroon-USA in 1987. She has a passion for advocacy and volunteers her time as a grade school teacher and to various charities. Osong holds a doctorate in management and leadership from the University of Phoenix and masters in electrical engineering from the Catholic University of America. She lives with her husband Gerry and three children, Nadine, Praxedes, and Steph in Maryland. When not working, Emma enjoys traveling, reading, classical music, and entertaining. She can be reached at osongm@yahoo.com

An exclusive banquet, the first in the pageant’s history in honor of the 32 finalists who will be competing this year for the coveted crown. The banquet will bring together special VIPs such as Elected Officials in the Maryland/DC area, African Ambassadors, sponsors, family and friends of the Miss Africa USA Scholarship Pageant in an evening of fun. The banquet also features a breathtaking fashion show featuring top designers from the motherland, an Award ceremony and a great opportunity to network with attendees.

All 32 Finalists for the pageant will be formally introduced, kicking off the pageant competition with their platform Presentations and micro-project achievements so far.  It is a night of great substance and we are all looking forward to this Red Carpet event, launching the 2010 pageant.