The Miss Naturally Crowned competition is the perfect marriage between the natural hair movement and beauty pageants. The event, which was started in December 2013 by best friends, entrepreneurs and naturalistas Jessica E. Boyd and Maureen A. Ochola. It was initially conceived as more of a community service, but quickly became a platform for grooming naturalista entrepreneurs.
The lovely part about this platform is how it has transformed in just two short years. “Our first year, a lot of the energy was surrounding the promotion of natural hair and empowerment,” Ochola shared with Mic. “Last year we introduced a pitch concept, with the woman all focused on entrepreneurship. They got on stage and pitched their particular business.
This year is a hybrid.” This year there is a dance number a business pitch, Q&A and dishing on their personal experiences with natural hair with an evening competition. “The one thing we really look for is someone who is willing to grow. Even if they do have confidence or if they’re the flower on the wall, they realize there’s something they didn’t know about themselves. They feel like queens, all of them.” Boyd told Mic.
From natural hair beauty to entrepreneur spirit-engagement, these two women are bringing a timely and valuable concept to pageants for black women.