The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Variety

At first, the thought of an all-black pageant in this day and age may cause some eyebrows to raise.

It may be thought unnecessary, but to Michelle Imoukhuede, a senior from Marietta and member of Delta Sigma Theta, the pageant remains a strong symbol of history as well as progress.

"This pageant has a lot of personal meaning; it's not your typical pageant. Honestly, it is a lot harder as a minority sometimes to be judged," Imoukhuede said. "It's still not a level playing field … there still needs to be uplifting and inspired words passed on."

She is referring to the uplifting nature of the pageant, not only in its unique title and premise, but also the second purpose it fulfills - giving scholarship money to a deserving local high school student.

"The woman chosen to receive the money is based on her academics, community service, extracurriculars, financial need and more," Imoukhuede said,

While the heart of the pageant is grounded in granting dreams of high school girls, the competition holds a historical meaning for the Delta Sigma Theta women.

"We were founded here in 1969, and started doing the pageant five or six years after we were founded. It was kind of a big deal - it took a while [for the sorority] to be accepted on a non-black university," Imoukhuede said.

In the past 30 years, the pageant has changed into a more heartfelt cause since it was renamed in honor of the first member of Delta Sigma Theta to pass away, Kimberlee Nicole Chapman.

"I know that it is now in memory of the first sister to pass away," said Brittany Holmes, a contestant and freshman from Stone Mountain. "I heard about the pageant from a friend, but around campus, it was pretty low key."

The competition's history stays strong in the minds of the sisters.

"Kimberlee Chapman was very rooted in philanthropy. She left a lasting legacy," Imoukhuede said.

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