'So much bigger than me': Miss Lane College makes history as 1st Black Miss TN Volunteer
In a historic win as the first Black contestant to win the crown as the next Miss Tennessee Volunteer, Miss Lane College Jada Brown made the historic moment on Saturday night in the pageant's fifth year.
Brown, who is entering her senior year at Lane College studying biology with a chemistry minor, has been participating in pageants for the majority of her life and spoke to the importance of having inclusivity and diversity in the pageant sphere.
"Growing up, little Jada didn't really have any representation, so now as the first-ever African American Miss Tennessee Volunteer, I'm so excited to be that representation for our youth to let them know that no matter where they come from, how much money they have, where they go to school, that they can achieve their goals," Brown said.
Once the lights had faded and reality set in, Brown spoke on Sunday about her excitement and plans for the future as the next Miss Tennessee Volunteer at the DoubleTree Hotel in Jackson.
More: Miss Lane College Jada Brown crowned Miss TN Volunteer on Saturday in Jackson
The first Miss Lane College to win the competition, Brown says she believes her involvement in pageantry has brought awareness to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
"I'm so excited to be able to show everyone the importance of HBCUs and diversity and bring representation," Brown said. "It's so much bigger than me. It's about allowing everyone to have a seat at the table."
In addition to winning an $11,000 scholarship, Brown will hold the Miss Tennessee title through 2024 and explained that she is "so excited" for the year ahead and how she hopes to spread her message.
"I have so much planned," Brown said. "My platform is called The Beauty Within Our Hands, teaching American Sign Language, and I started it because my stepsister is deaf, so seeing all the problems she went through, it really inspired me to want to teach our youth the importance of American Sign Language and why it's used."
Brown's performance in the talent portion of the evening entailed an American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation of the song “This Is Me,” which met roaring applause.
With Miss Tennessee Volunteer being Brown's first state-level pageant, she noted that the mental preparation she abides by during competition is the self-assurance that she is on God's path for her.
"Whatever path He has for me, that's what's going to happen," Brown said.
With glitter, spirit and dazzling performances, the four-day pageant ended on Saturday at the Carl Perkins Civic Center, making history and doling out more scholarships, up to $85,000 total, among the Top Five finalists.
The other Top Five finalists of the Miss Tennessee Volunteer pageant are as follows: Miss Midtown D'Ambrah Watts; Miss Mid-South Kara Short; Miss Germantown Erin Sharp; and Miss Mid-South Fair Lydia Waldrop.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Miss Lane College makes history as 1st Black Miss TN Volunteer
