The Miss USA Organization is a globally-recognized pageant platform that celebrates the unique beauty and passion of women across cultures. In May 2023, I will have the luxury of competing for the title of Miss Florida USA to represent this great state. As a Florida native, I am proud to stand on the stage for a shot at the crown. After the Miss Florida USA competition in May 2023, the winner will move forward to the Miss USA pageant later in the year to compete against 50 other empowering women for the national title of Miss USA.

For those who know me, it's safe to say that this was NOT something I have dreamed about since I was ten, like a lot of the girls I'll be competing against. I was not raised in pageantry, and I certainly did not train for this my entire life, but with insight into the world of healthcare and its disparities, I am proud to embark on a creative path to address this country's need for change. I will be speaking on a topic that truly matters to me - health equity - an issue that affects each and every one of us. Uncomfortable conversations like basic access to quality healthcare, black maternal mortality rates, mental health research, and the complete dissociation from the homeless epidemic all around us will continue to lead me not only to promote awareness but to invoke action. This platform will allow me to step freely into the equitable culture that I envision for our country through funding, social connections, and speaking opportunities.

Your support of my endeavor matters, both spiritually and financially. For those who can contribute monetary support, I thank you in advance for your belief in me and the changes I wish to make. For those who cannot, prayer is always the best thing you can do for a person, so I encourage that even more. For those who don't believe in either, I urge you to continue to be a representation of what it means to be a leader in YOUR community, and may you succeed on your journey.

Thank you,

Erika Marie Feazell

1 Corinthians 9:24-25: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.