In 2022, Triad Cultural Arts partnered with Heritage 365 to initiate a scholarship pageant to acknowledge Juneteenth. After two successful years, we realized that this was more than a pageant; it is a collective journey of empowering women, especially young women of color. Thus, we have grown into the Queen Juneteenth Project.
Our mission is to empower, elevate and excel young women of color.
We value:
- Positive identity and self worth
- Leadership
- Service in the community
- Sisterhood
- Scholarship
- Arts & Culture
On Friday, June 14th, the 3rd annual Queen Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant was hosted at Paisley Middle School of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Fifteen girls competed as Miss Juneteenth, and five were chosen to represent the 2024 Queen’s Court:
2024 Queen Juneteenth – Aliyah Copeland, Contestant #8
1st Runner Up (Ms. Sankofa) – Lauryn Thacker, Contestant #9
2nd Runner Up (Ms. Kuumba) – Jada Richardson, Contestant #2
3rd Runner Up (Ms. Nia) – Charli Hicks, Contestant #13
4th Runner Up (Ms. Imani) – Destiny Jordan, Contestant #5
The winner of the pageant, Queen Juneteenth, will receive a $30,000 tuition scholarship to attend any HBCU. Collectively, the contestants of the pageant will receive about $20,000 in scholarship dollars.
A Q&A with 2024 Queen Juneteenth – Aliyah:
- What does it mean to you to receive this crown and title?
I am truly honored, and it means the world to me. I am so blessed to be given this title, and it is not something I take lightly. I truly appreciate being given the opportunity to represent a significant holiday such as Juneteenth.
- Was the Aliyah that signed up for this experience the same Aliyah that was crowned on the stage? If different, how so?
Absolutely not. This experience has opened my eyes and broadened my horizons to things I would have never considered before. It has helped me to mature and step out of my comfort zone and has allowed me to meet new people I may have never encountered if it wasn’t for this program. Now I am much more confident in myself and more prepared for future endeavors.
- The QJ experience is different from other similar projects. Can you share some highlights that you think made the QJ pageant different?
I believe that the workshop facilitators and the Queens Council truly made it special. Almost every facilitator for each workshop was a black woman. They were all positive and successful and truly had a passion for what they were sharing with us. Queen Juneteenth is not just focused on the pageant and about looking pretty or walking a certain way, it also is a truly amazing program that has a priority to shape and educate young women.
- Somewhere in the audience that night was a little girl who watched you dress and speak and much more. What would you say to that little girl now?
I would tell her to stay true to herself. When you are your genuine self, everything else will fall into place.
- You shared a quote with the audience that night. What was it, and why did you choose it?
My quote was “love the life you live.” I chose this quote because I believe that the secret to life is to love your own, appreciate all of your blessings and not compare your life to someone else’s. Comparison is the thief of joy, and true happiness comes from loving your own life no matter the situation.
- Favorite workshop? Activity?
My favorite workshop was the local black history workshop, and my favorite activity was the walking black history tour.
- Did you have any “aha” moments?
I had an “aha” moment at the Financial Freedom workshop because it was when I realized that this program was more about preparing us for college and for life than just about wearing a crown and sash.
- What’s next on your journey?
Next stop is senior year! I am very excited to finish high school at Mount Tabor and to enjoy all of the senior activities.
- Why do you think Juneteenth is important?
I think Juneteenth is important because it reminds us of how far we have come as a community. It is also a great opportunity to educate about African American history and to facilitate more growth and unity within our community.
- How do you see the QJ pageant experience and the meaning of Juneteenth connected?
I think this pageant is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you cannot put a price on, and I am so grateful to have been able to be a part of it. I think Juneteenth connected means that all African Americans are connected through the shared history of Juneteenth and also African American culture.
