The Ralph David Abernathy Auditorium at Alabama State University was filled with excitement as the Beta Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity hosted the Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant.
The event, held Sept. 19 at 5:30 p.m., highlighted the elegance and intelligence of the four contestants, each competing for the title of Miss Black and Gold, with Kourtney Savage ultimately being crowned.
Deandre Jolly and Ferrin Lewis served as hosts for the Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant, with judges Lee B. Walker, Morgan Scott, Brittany Jones Dabney, Jeremiah Streeter and Ricaylah Hudson evaluating the contestants. Anthony Broughton oversaw the event as the chief advisor. The pageant featured three competition categories: talent, business professional and evening gown, which included the question-and-answer segment.
Savage, a sophomore pre-health biology major from Montgomery, Alabama, scored more points than her competitors and was crowned Miss Black and Gold. Morgan Tate, a senior political science major from Birmingham, Alabama, earned the title of Miss Black, and Daryn Hill, a senior dance major from St. Louis, Missouri, was named Miss Gold. Together, the three women formed the Miss Black and Gold Court and represent both the university and the fraternity in service, scholarship and leadership.
Savage reflected on the hard work that went into creating the event, as well as the friendships she built with her fellow contestants.
“I’m proud of the commitment and work each of us put in, along with the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, to create such a beautiful event,” she said.
Savage emphasized that her crown represented the collective efforts of everyone involved.
“I don’t wear a crown that says ‘Kourtney, you are the winner and winner alone,’” she said. “I wear a symbol that displays all of our effort, hard work and dedication across the board.”
Though time management was a challenge, Savage found the experience humbling and inspiring.
“The most challenging part of preparing for the pageant has been time,” Savage said. “ I’m a very busy person, but I had to remember to breathe and to take everything one step at a time. Remaining humble when God has blessed you is the utmost form of thanks because, in an instant, it can be taken away,” she said, adding that the title has motivated her to continue striving for academic success and personal growth.
Daryn Hill, Miss Gold, expressed deep gratitude for her achievement.
“I am so overjoyed about placing in the pageant. This was something so new for me, and I knew I had to trust God a lot through this process,” Hill shared.
While this was her first pageant, Hill had long admired pageantry from afar.
“I have always taken a liking to pageants but never actually done one. When I heard about this pageant, I decided to give it a try, especially since the Alphas are big on service and scholarship, as am I,” she explained. Hill’s advocacy for the university’s artistically talented students also motivated her to participate.
Hill found her biggest challenge to be public speaking.
“The most challenging part of preparing for the pageant was gaining confidence in my public speaking skills,” she said. “With me being a dancer, I communicate with my movement, so sometimes, I am nervous to speak in front of others. With practice and prayer, I was able to stand and speak confidently with my head held high.”
Looking forward, Hill hopes her new role will create opportunities in the dance community and healthcare field.
“I believe this scholarship can provide access to resources and networking opportunities that can help me build connections in the community,” she added.
Morgan Tate, crowned as Miss Black, was equally thrilled to place in the pageant.
“I feel great about placing. Seeing that this is my first pageant, and I got second place, I was very content,” Tate said. Her motivation came from a desire to try something new. “While I’m young, I believe in trying as much as I can,” she noted.
Tate’s tap dance performance was a talent that did not come without hard work.
“The most challenging part was learning my talent, which was a tap dance. I had to practice for hours with my friends who were experienced in tap dancing to feel prepared,” Tate explained.
She also expressed gratitude for the scholarship she received, noting it will help cover her housing expenses. For Tate, the experience taught valuable lessons, and she encouraged others to take similar risks.
“My advice is to just do it. No matter the outcome, do it! The experience you gain will change your outlook on life,” she said.
Bryson Powers, director of the Miss Black and Gold Pageant, spoke about the deeper goals of the event.
“The primary goal of the pageant is to educate the ladies on how to walk in heels and display class, from their speech to the way they carry themselves,” Powers said. He also revealed changes made to the pageant this year, including the addition of a business professional category.
“This year, I took out the fitness category, and I added a business professional category. It was so amazing to see those young Black women in business wear, confidently walking in those pantsuits,” Powers said, emphasizing the importance of showcasing their readiness for corporate America.
Powers highlighted the pageant’s broader impact, explaining that it prepares contestants to compete at regional levels and potentially pursue larger competitions like Miss America.
“The girls are judged very strictly, especially in regionals. They have to study and prepare for questions that focus on real world issues. The girls on the court go out to the community and serve. They do everything they can to bring a light to themselves and the organization,” he said.
For Powers, the pageant was a way to help contestants unlock their potential.
“I like working with people to further enhance them. I get to pull out things that they don’t know they have in them,” he said proudly.