Today we’d like to introduce you to Keia Brown.
Hi Keia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2017, I founded the Miss Collegiate USA Organization, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization focused on celebrating and rewarding young women pursuing or preparing for college. The organization’s mission drives to help young women pay for college or those with current student loan debt to explore new career opportunities and earn cash and scholarships for school. As a first-generation college student, higher education professional, and former pageant queen, I wanted to create a pageant system that recognized the academically talented, beautiful, and kind young women representing their communities nationwide. And as a financial aid professional of over 15 years at two-year private and public universities, I strive to provide scholarship opportunities to the women competing to help reduce student loan debt, pay for unexpected college expenses, and allow women to graduate with financial freedom and begin their adult careers. We will proudly hold the 3rd annual national pageant week in Greenville, South Carolina, on July 4-9, 2023. The two national winners (Miss Collegiate USA and Miss High School USA) crowned, as well as delegates from all 50 states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, will spend their reign representing our platform of “Making College Affordable: Reducing Student Loan Debt” and promoting local and national sponsors.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Pursuing your passion is not supposed to be a “smooth road!” But I know that when you have found your true calling, you work at it daily. Directing a national pageant is difficult, especially because we are a new not-for-profit system. We continue to explore new ways to increase our number of participants by encouraging them to join a new pageant system with an empowering mission of growth, opportunities, and sisterhood; and the opportunity to visit the beautiful city of Greenville, SC!
Our staff is 100% volunteers, dedicating their expertise, donating products or services, and time (many take PTO/leave) to assist in creating a wonderful experience for the young women representing their states during nationals week and throughout the year. As a non-profit, we depend on the donations and support of our sponsors to help organize the national event, host financial literacy sessions and provide scholarships for the young women excelling in their studies and volunteering in their communities. Our organization’s success depends on the people who support our mission, time for growth and community engagement. We have amazing individuals and businesses nationwide who have supported us and our mission. Several local Greenville businesses have been a sponsor since our first year in the host city of Greenville. They include Kilwins Greenville, The Booty Shop, Crown Couture Collection by Lindley Mayer, and M. Judson Bookstore. We thank them for their continued support and look forward to welcoming new businesses to our MCU pageant family in the future!
As you know, we’re big fans of the Miss Collegiate USA Organization. What can you tell our readers who might not be as familiar with the brand?
The Miss Collegiate USA Organization is a non-profit organization determined by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Our big annual event is the national pageant, which celebrates and rewards college-bound young women, current degree seekers with higher education exposure, or seeking help to pay student loan debt with career opportunities, cash, and college scholarships. We welcome young ladies to join our pageant family in one of two age divisions. The Miss High School USA division is open to young ladies who are incoming or current High School students in grades 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, and the Miss Collegiate USA division is open to young women up to age 29 who are currently enrolled in college, graduated, or have attended some college.
What’s unique about the Miss Collegiate USA Pageant? We provide free Financial Literacy & Wellness sessions to our participants, college-readiness or post-college sessions, award cash scholarships for ladies volunteering in their communities, or promoting positive social media use, and gift a $32,000 college scholarship sponsored by Marymount University to each young woman competing.
In our inaugural pageant year in 2021, we were able to award over $1.1 million in cash, awards, college scholarships, and gifts, supported by our sponsors. Our national queens receive: $1,000 Cash scholarship courtesy of the Thomas M. Green or Shirley Green Memorial Scholarship Fund, Official Miss Collegiate USA Rhinestone & Emerald National Crown, Official Miss Collegiate USA Rhinestone AB Swarovski Embroidered Sash, $1,000 gown certificate sponsored from our National Wardrobe Sponsor, Ashley Rene’s Prom & Pageant, Wardrobe styling with cocktail/gowns for photoshoots from Ashley Rene’s Prom & Pageant, Professional Photo shoot sponsored by Rodgers Polk Photography and Jillian Marie Beauty & Photo, Custom Crown Purse sponsored by Crown Couture Collection, Queens’ Disney Weekend Getaway – Walt Disney World, Orlando FL, Travel opportunities to visit national sponsors, Chromebook, Laptop or iPad, Miss Collegiate USA customized Emerald Satin Robe, Wardrobe & Accessories compliments of Khloe Angela Boutique, Rhinestone Jim Ball earrings compliments of Khloe Angela Boutique, Weekend Travel suitcase, Makeup Train Case Jewelry Organizer, Custom Miss Collegiate USA magnet sponsored by The Queen’s Magnet, Pageant Planner from the Crowning Planner, Custom Disney Ears from EllieCakes Pageant Ears, $300 in custom-made jewelry compliments of Origami Owl Designer, Custom Illustration Gift sponsored by Ellie L. Illustration, Professional Photo shoot sponsored by Meagan Gilbert Photography and Ashley Urban Artistry, and much more! The 2021 national queens and their four runners-up also received a Disney Educational Leadership Course in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
As a professional working in higher education, my journey to networking and connecting with like-minded individuals has been transformative. I chose to have a “yes” year before the global pandemic, which was the most impactful decision to empower me to do more while quarantined in my home. During that time, I expanded my relationships throughout my professional field association, joined committees, and was appointed board member for two organizations. I also gained new mentors and mentees during my doctoral program. I advise committing to a “yes” year, month, or day in which you move away from your comfort zone; do something that makes you feel uncomfortable and take that challenge on with grace. It will make you a more decisive leader – mentally and emotionally!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.misscollegiateusa.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MissCollegiateUSA/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissCollegiateUSA/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/misscollegiateusa/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MissCollegiate
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC25xqLxYQ8i5hwZYOZ8RYrg
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@misscollegiateusa
Image Credits
Meagan Gilbert Photography
