The Miss Africa International pageant was established a few years ago to inspire a renewed interest in Africa and promote its cultures. Contestants are required to speak on issues relevant to Africa.

In the ensuing year, delegates promote interest in African causes by making public appearances and working with internationally recognized charity organizations. The pageant's current theme is "Africa is Beautiful," and its charity of focus is Outreach Foundation, a non-governmental organization helping women and youth in Africa.

• Setting Us Apart
• Making History, Breaking Records!
• 2004 Pageant Overview: A Marketing Bonanza
• Past Events

Setting Us Apart

The following elements distinguish the Miss Africa International pageant from other pageants around the world:

• The absence of swimsuits, a traditional essential. Instead, contestants perform a unity dance wearing traditional sarongs.
• While the typical beauty queen has led a life of glamour on runways, some of the Miss Africa International contestants have very compelling stories, experiencing firsthand the devastating effects of issues they advocate. Miss DRC International 2003 lost both parents to HIV/AIDS at a very young age; Miss Rwanda International 2003 was orphaned by the Rwandan genocide while still a teenager. Miss Africa International 2005 lost loved ones to HIV/AIDS.
• The pageant is the only one of its kind in the capital of the world's wealthiest nation.
• Rich in intellectual, social and cultural substance, this landmark event is the perfect medium for young women of African ancestry to gain life experiences and contribute to issues of importance to Africa.
• The Miss Africa International pageant is a springboard for the unprecedented Miss Africa Diaspora competition, created to unite all women African ancestry. Making History, Breaking Records!

Making History, Breaking Records!

The inaugural pageant, chaired by Her Excellency Madame Aude Ndayizeye, First Lady of Burundi, drew socialites from afar as well as Who's Who of D.C., including members of the African Diplomatic Corps, Africare, the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Congress of Black Women. A panel of celebrities including Rockmond Dunbar (Kenny Chadway in the popular Showtime series Soul Food), actor Emery Bright, NBC news anchor Rucks Russell and Tres Jolie's Glenda Lugay judged women from several African countries in a rich tapestry of African couture, talent and beauty.

The event was sold out well in advance, breaking the attendance record for African events at the Washington Convention Center. The live, simulcast interview on Voice of America Television was also record-shattering, jamming the lines with calls from all over the world. The pageant was aired on South African Broadcasting Corporation and Voice of AmericaTelevision. Partial proceeds were used to sponsor orphans of People to People, Inc., a charity based in Ethiopia.

2004 Pageant Overview: A Marketing Bonanza

To usher in the Miss Africa International 2005 pageant, a VIP reception was held in honor of the African Diplomatic Corps, celebrities and sponsors at the residence of Ambassador Abdoulaye Diop of Mali. The next day, D.C. was awash in a colorful display of cultural heritage as the main pageant was celebrated at the Lincoln Theatre.

An homage to the beauty and culture of Africa, the event was chaired by Chief Opral Mason Benson, a doyenne of fashion, business, academic and diplomatic circles. The well- attended event attracted the A-list of international glitterati, including Princess Esther Kamatari of Burundi, representatives from Sony Music, Bad Boy Entertainment, Essence magazine and other celebrities.

Past Events

Having graced the most prestigious events in the capitol of the world's most powerful nation, delegates of the Miss Africa International Pageant could be walking billboards for any business organization! Some events attended, and celebrities met, by delegates in the past:

• President & Mrs. Domitien Ndayizeye of Burundi
• Miss Gambia participated in the tenth year anniversary celebration of her country after meeting His Excellency Yahya Jammeh, president of the Republic of the Gambia. She was also given a full scholarship at Howard University by the government of the Gambia
• Ambassador Andrew Young invited the contestants to a reception held in honor of President Olusegun Obasanjo
• President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea
• Former President Jerry Rawlings of Ghana
• The delegates served as hostesses at a reception held by U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee during the Congressional Black Caucus' Annual Legistlative Conference
• The Queen of Swaziland
• Ambassador Andrew Young
• Honorable Anthony Williams, Mayor of Washington, D.C.
• Dr. Bill Cosby

email: info@missafricainternational.com
phone: (240) 462-4645
web: Miss Africa Pageant

© 2005 Afromerica