I have chosen to embark on my very first pageant journey to compete for the state title of Ms. Black Maryland USA in November 2025! Competing in a pageant has been a goal of mine for over 10 years! Not only is this an opportunity to take center stage, and embody poise and gracefulness, it is an opportunity to launch a community outreach initiative that has be near and dear to my heart.
Protect Your Legacy is an initiative to educate and advocate for emergency preparedness and resilience building within Black communities. Black communities have been impacted by institutional disparities in a way that continues to set them back when an emergency or disaster occurs. Often time we discover resources when it is too late. While I may not be able to immediately shift the societal disparities that contribute to this problem, by offering community outreach opportunities to expose families like mine to preparedness trainings, information on creating an emergency plans, and aid in building community trust, I hope to help be the solution.
In order to be the solution, I need the help of my own village! I am raising funds to help support my efforts in planning and executing community outreach events with local and state governments as well as non profit organizations, and to provide accessible training to equip my community to help save lives. In addition, I am seeking contributions to help fund my pageantry journey. This includes my pageant fees, wardrobe, makeup, lodging for the competition, etc.
With your help, I will be able to put my best foot forward and win the state title! Winning this title would not only be a dream come true for little Z, but it would also put me in bigger rooms to further my initiative to provide proper preparedness measures to communities that have been ignored, yet have received the greatest impact from both natural and man made disasters.
Your donations to my journey will help me to step further into my purpose. Asking for help in this way is out of my comfort zone, but I truly believe in this journey to represent my home state of Maryland and aid bettering the safety and wellness of my community. Your support in chasing this dream of mine means the world to me and I hope to make you proud.