Miss Black USA

What Miss Black USA does

Miss Black USA Pageant and Scholarship Foundation, Inc. is a Maryland-incorporated nonprofit corporation founded in 1987 by Karen Arrington that operates the first and largest scholarship pageant for women of color in the United States. The organization runs three competitive divisions — Miss Black USA (ages 18–27, the flagship), Ms. Black USA (ages 28–45), and Miss Black USA Talented Teen (ages 14–19) — each anchored by full-tuition scholarship partnerships (University of the District of Columbia for Miss; Delaware State University for Talented Teen) and supported by ancillary programs including the Not Just Jasmine Maternal Health Initiative and the Ghana Girls Legacy Initiative. Miss Black USA has awarded over $750,000 in scholarships to date, with the combined annual prize package for national queens valued at over $100,000, including an $85,000 UDC scholarship, a one-year modeling contract with MMG Model Management, and various in-kind services. The 39th Annual Pageant is scheduled for August 9, 2026 at the UDC Performing Arts Theater.

The business model is a multi-stream nonprofit operation combining corporate sponsorship revenue, event ticketing (preliminary competition $55, finals $65–$150 across General/VIP/Trailblazer tiers, Code Red Dinner $75), contestant application fees processed through HoneyBook, media value from an exclusive multi-year broadcast partnership with Fox Soul (44M+ viewers), and People's Choice voting/donations channeled to the scholarship fund. The 18-person organization relies heavily on contractors and volunteers and operates with minimal proprietary technology, using Squarespace for web, HoneyBook for applications, and Square for checkout. Distribution is anchored by the Fox Soul broadcast deal, earned media in major outlets (The New York Times, BET, ESSENCE, Good Morning America, Elle), Instagram and YouTube social channels, and a hotel/travel infrastructure (Delta Air Lines, Westin Arlington Gateway) for the annual pageant week.

The customer base segments into three contestant personas (highly educated Black women in graduate/professional school at 80%, established professional women, and talented teens), a national audience of ticket buyers and broadcast viewers, and a sponsor ecosystem spanning beauty brands (Soror Cosmetics, VIP Smiles, Kinlo), educational institutions (UDC, Delaware State), talent management (MMG), non-profits (NAFJ, 400 Years Commission), and cultural partners (African Ancestry, The Cultural Presence). Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: recruitment flows through online applications, HBCU and community organization partnerships, and word-of-mouth from past contestants, while the annual national pageant and associated events serve as the primary acquisition, engagement, and revenue generation mechanism.

Name

Miss Black USA

Legal name

Miss Black USA Pageant and Scholarship Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://missblackusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Miss Black USA is a nonprofit scholarship pageant organization founded in 1987 that operates the first and largest national scholarship pageant for women of color in the US, serving contestants ages 14–45 across three divisions and awarding over $750,000 in scholarships to date.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scholarship Pageant Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Educational Support Services (611710)

akta.pro primary industry

Foundation/NGO & Philanthropic Scholarships (EDAIAOAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Merit-Based Scholarships (Academic Excellence) (EDAIAOAA), Corporate & Employer-Sponsored Scholarships (EDAIAOAI)

Keywords

• Scholarship pageant
• Beauty pageant services
• Women of color
• Scholarship funding
• Leadership development

Headquarters

HQ city

Lanham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors provide funding, products, and services in exchange for brand visibility; sponsors include beauty brands (Soror Cosmetics, VIP Smiles, Kinlo), educational institutions (UDC, Delaware State), talent management (MMG), and non-profits (NAFJ, 400 Years Committee)
2. Event Ticketing: Ticket sales for preliminary competition ($55), finals ($65-$150 for various tiers), Code Red Dinner ($75), and Talented Teen/Ms. Division events generate direct revenue from audience attendance
3. Contestant Application Fees: Application processing fees from contestants applying to compete in Miss, Ms., and Talented Teen divisions; revenue from HoneyBook widget application submissions
4. Media Broadcasting Rights: Partnership with Fox Soul for broadcast of pageant; streaming content generates viewership and platform value through advertising and subscriber engagement
5. Scholarship Fundraising: People's Choice voting ($1/vote) generates scholarship funding; donations channeled directly to Miss Black USA Scholarship Fund

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Miss Black USA is a nonprofit scholarship pageant organization that runs an annual national competition for women of color across three divisions — Miss (ages 18-27), Ms. (ages 28-45), and Talented Teen (ages 14-19). The organization awards scholarships (including a full-tuition scholarship to the University of the District of Columbia and a full-ride to Delaware State University) and a prize package valued at over $100,000 to national queens, supported by ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, and contestant application fees.

Product overview

Miss Black USA is a scholarship pageant organization offering three distinct competitive divisions: the Miss Division (ages 18–27, the core flagship product), the Ms. Black USA Division (ages 28–45), and the Miss Black USA Talented Teen Division (ages 14–19). The organization's primary value proposition centers on its scholarship program, having awarded over $750,000 to date, with the Miss division winner receiving a full-tuition scholarship to the University of the District of Columbia (undergraduate, graduate, or law school) and the Talented Teen winner receiving a full-ride to Delaware State University. Beyond the core pageant competitions, the organization offers ancillary programs including the Not Just Jasmine Maternal Health Initiative (with an annual $1,000 award), the Ghana Girls Legacy Initiative for global outreach, and a comprehensive Grand Prize Package valued at over $100,000 for national queens that includes modeling contracts, speaking opportunities, and brand development. The organization uses HoneyBook for contestant applications and Square for ticketing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ms. Black USA: Division for women ages 28-45 competing for the Ms. Black USA title with separate pageant events.
• Miss Black USA Talented Teen
• Not Just Jasmine
• Ghana Girls Legacy Initiative

Products and services

• Miss Black USA Pageant (Miss Division) The flagship national scholarship pageant for women of color, open to contestants aged 18-27. The Miss division awards a full-tuition scholarship to the University of the District of Columbia (undergraduate, graduate, or David A. Clarke College of Law) along with over $100,000 in combined prize packages for the national queens.
• Ms. Black USA Division A parallel national pageant division for women ages 28-45, offering its own competition platform, scholarship opportunities, and continued leadership recognition separate from the Miss division.
• Miss Black USA Talented Teen Division A national pageant division for young women ages 14-19, awarding an annual full-ride tuition scholarship to Delaware State University for the winner.
• Miss Black USA Grand Prize Package The comprehensive prize package awarded to the three national queens (Miss, Ms., Talented Teen), valued at over $100,000. Includes a 4-year full-tuition scholarship to UDC (valued at $85,000), a $2,500 gap scholarship, a one-year modeling contract with MMG Model Management in NYC, paid speaking opportunities, custom rhinestone sash, professional photo shoot, personal and brand development management, black car service, and an extensive array of beauty and lifestyle products.
• Miss Black USA Scholarship Program The Miss Black USA scholarship program has awarded over $750,000 in scholarships to date. Primary scholarships include a 4-year full-tuition merit scholarship to the University of the District of Columbia (undergraduate, graduate, or David A. Clarke College of Law), and a full-ride scholarship to Delaware State University for the Talented Teen winner. Also includes gap scholarships, specialized awards (e.g., $5,000 For Every Type Protective Hair Scholarship), and the annual $1,000 Not Just Jasmine award.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $750,000 in scholarships awarded to date
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• African AncestryflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Historic partnership for Black History Month 2026 DNA reveal campaign. Reigning titleholders (Miss Black USA, Ms. Black USA, Miss Black USA Talented Teen) took MatriClan DNA test tracing maternal lineage back 2,000+ years. Results revealed via Instagram Live events hosted by Dr. Gina Paige, Co-Founder of African Ancestry. Partnership connects queens to African roots and cultural identity.
• National Alliance of Faith and Justice (NAFJ)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2024Partnership for 'Not Just Jasmine' Maternal Health Initiative - multi-platform advocacy campaign addressing maternal health crisis disproportionately affecting Black women. NAFJ provides expertise in justice reform, civic engagement, and community healing. Annual $1,000 scholarship/career award established for contestants with most impactful maternal health campaigns.
• Black Wall Street Originals AcademyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 20 June 2023Wealth creation and financial literacy partnership. Miss Black USA winner receives scholarship to attend virtual training program covering stock market fundamentals, asset allocation, and portfolio management. Addresses wealth gap for women of color through investment education.
• The Cultural PresencecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 23 February 2023Dr. Estenia Goodridge serves as Chief Etiquette Officer of Miss Black USA. Provides business etiquette training to all contestants at no cost. Winners receive one-on-one training with Dr. Goodridge based on career goals. Training covers leadership, social etiquette, business etiquette, dining etiquette, and character development.
• QueenlyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 2 December 2021Partnership providing contestants easier access to essential garments (evening gowns, pageant attire) through Queenly's website and app. Includes donated sponsorship money going directly to Miss Black USA scholarship fund.
• University of the District of ColumbiaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious educational partner providing 4-year full-tuition scholarship for Miss Black USA winner (undergraduate, graduate, or David A. Clarke College of Law). Primary venue for annual pageant finals at UDC Performing Arts Theater.
• Delaware State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndowed 4-year full-tuition scholarship established for Miss Black USA Talented Teen winner. Provides annual scholarship opportunity for young women in the teen division.
• Fox SoulflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFree streaming platform serving unapologetically Black content to 44+ million viewers. Exclusive broadcast partner for Miss Black USA pageant finals live on Fox Soul. Multi-year broadcasting partnership showcasing pageant to national audience.
• 400 Years of African American History CommissioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship supporting pageant operations and Black history education initiatives. Partnership on 'What America Means to Me' film project commemorating America's 250th anniversary. Joint activities celebrating 400 years of African American history.
• MMG Model ManagementcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOne-year modeling contract, online model portfolio, and representation from MMG Model Management in NYC included in prize package for Miss Black USA winner. Top talent management company providing professional development opportunity.
• Delta Air LinescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Airline Partner for 2026 Miss Black USA Pageant. Special discounts for contestants, family, and friends traveling to Washington DC area. Discounts available for Main Class, Comfort Plus, and First-Class tickets with Meeting Event Code.
• Westin Arlington Gateway HotelcoreOthersHost hotel for 2026 pageant week. Contestant family and friends rate of $149/night plus tax (deadline July 13, 2026). Venue for Code Red Dinner event and pageant week activities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Miss America Organization: Miss America is the most established national women's scholarship pageant, awarding millions in scholarships annually across all 50 states. It serves as the broad incumbent in the U.S. pageant-scholarship space against which Miss Black USA's more focused, culturally-specific scholarship platform is differentiated.
• Miss USA Organization (JKN Global Group): Miss USA is a national women's pageant with a scholarship component and major media broadcast partnerships. As a broad incumbent it competes for the same pool of female contestants, broadcast sponsors, and brand-partner dollars, though Miss Black USA's scholarship scale and culturally-specific positioning differentiate it.

Direct peers

• United Negro College Fund (UNCF): UNCF is the largest provider of scholarships and financial support for Black students in the U.S., awarding hundreds of millions over decades. Miss Black USA operates in the same HBCU-aligned, Black-women-targeted scholarship market at a smaller scale, with a pageant-based acquisition funnel.
• National Council of Negro Women (NCNW): NCNW is a national advocacy organization for Black women and girls with scholarship and leadership-development programs. It overlaps with Miss Black USA's career-pipeline mission and shares the same corporate-sponsor and policy-advocacy ecosystem.
• National Black MBA Association: NBMBAA is a membership organization that funds scholarships for Black students pursuing graduate business education. It overlaps directly with Miss Black USA's scholarship pipeline, especially the 80% of contestants in graduate or professional school.
• National Association of Colored Women's Clubs (NACWC): NACWC is a historic service organization for women of color with scholarship programs and youth-focused competitions. It shares Miss Black USA's mission of advancing Black women's leadership, education, and community service through a women-of-color-specific framework.

Others

• Black Enterprise: Black Enterprise is a media and events company covering Black professional achievement, wealth-building, and entrepreneurship. It is adjacent to Miss Black USA's mission of producing Black professional women and shares corporate-sponsor and event-revenue channels.
• Essence Communications: Essence is a media brand for Black women featuring content, events, and brand partnerships. It shares Miss Black USA's audience and is named as a media partner, making it a thematically adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Miss Black Universe (Miss Black International): Miss Black International/Universe is a culturally-specific pageant for women of color with international reach, including Africa-based events. It overlaps with Miss Black USA's positioning and its 2007 milestone of being the first U.S. national pageant held on the African continent.
• PrettyBrownGirls: PrettyBrownGirls is an empowerment and scholarship-focused organization for girls and young women of color, with a similar values-driven, culturally-specific platform. It overlaps with Miss Black USA's Talented Teen division in target demographic and scholarship-driven mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/officialmissblackusa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/missblackusa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Miss Black USA