Applications are now being accepted for candidates for the 2015 program set for April 1-5, in Houston, with the finals on April 4, at Prairie View A&M University, along with the National Leadership Summit on Black Men, set for April 3-4, 2015.
When we think of pageantry in America, we think of the beautiful women in sequin gowns, swimsuits and talent. Well, the producers of the Mr. Collegiate African American Scholarship Pageant has changed that with that image over the past twenty years.
The MCAASP has been dispelling this imagery since 1990 when the pageant was created to empower Black college men and to counteract the negative imagery of the them as perpetuated in the society. When asked why a pageant for males, Pageant Director Frederick V. Roberts stated that "pageantry has no gender." In fact, the early Egyptians used pageantry as a ceremony of ascension and coronation. W. E. B. DuBois also produced the "Star of Egypt" pageant back in the early 50's. Using the principles of character, self-esteem, positive role modeling and services, the MCAASP hopes to grow the next generation of African American male leaders.
The goal of the pageant is to dispel the myth that one has to be a product of a negative environment by creating a model of excellence for a positive belief in oneself and race, and encouraging individual and group achievement in the pursuit of excellence."We focus on the three out of four who are succeeding rather than the one negative," said Roberts. We will be intentional with our programs that highlights issues and concerns which shows that Black men matters in the community.
The Mr. Collegiate Pageant, the first of its kind for Black men, was created in 1990. However, the first pageant was not staged until April 1992 and Charles Clemens of Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) was selected as the first Mr. Collegiate.Clemens went on to represent the pageant at the Miss Collegiate Black America pageant and was featured in Ebony Man, Black College Today, Class and Black Excellence magazines.
Candidates compete in a private interview with Judges, personal platform (oratory), talent, formal attire and onstage interview and question.
Since then, other winners include Steven Daniels, 1993-94 (Alabama State), Stacey O. Washington, 1994-95 (Virginia State), Christopher Sanders, 1995-96 (Kentucky State), Adoris Turner 1997-99 (Jackson State) and Damany Mayfield 2001-2002 (Virginia State).
The candidates compete for more than $8,000 in scholarships, gifts and prizes, and the opportunity to represent the national program throughout the world.
The pageant program is in its twenty-second year and is opened to Black men 18-30 (not-married) years of age who are enrolled in four-year colleges and universities. The program is being sponsored in conjunction with the National Leadership Summit on Black Men, set for April 3-4, 2015. The summit will focus on helping to create the next generation of leaders in the likes of President Barak Obama, Dr. Cornell West, Mark Morial, Benjamin T. Jealous, Benjamin Chavis and Colin Powell, etc.
The pageant is being co-sponsored by the Texas Conference on Black Males, Collegiate 100 and Unitan Communications.
For an application and other information, please contact: The Mr. Collegiate African American Scholarship Program: P.O. Box 5433, Prairie View, TX 77446-5433.
Email: mrcollegiateafricanamerican@gmail.com, or unitancommunications@yahoo.com. Deadline is February 28 , 2015.
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