When we think of pageantry in America, we think of the beautiful and talented women in sequin gowns, swimsuits and talent, all vying to be queens. Then too, the interesting thing is that you have a queen and no king! Well, the producers of the Mr. Collegiate African American Scholarship Pageant Program (MCAASPP) has been dispelling this imagery since 1990 when the pageant, the first of its kind in the world, was created to empower Black college men and to counteract the negative imagery of them as perpetuated in the society.
When asked why a pageant program for males, Pageant Founder Frederick V. Roberts stated that "pageantry is gender-free." 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" in the early 1950's to display the achievement of Blacks. Using the principles of character, self-esteem, positive role modeling and services, the MCAASPP) hopes to grow the next generation of African American male leaders and role models for the world.
The goal of the program is provide a model of excellence for Black males for a positive belief in oneself and race, and to encourage individual and group achievement in the pursuit of excellence. We must dispel the myth that one has to be a product of a negative environment and can be a catalyst for change and achievement. We will be intentional with our programs that highlights issues and concerns which shows that Black men matters in the community.
The Mr. Collegiate program was created as a mentoring program in summer of 1990 and the the first pageant was staged in April 1992 with 13 candidates from HBCU's. Mr. Charles Clemens of Lincoln University-Pennsylvania was selected the first Mr. Collegiate.
Since then, other winners include Steven Daniels, (Alabama State), Stacey O. Washington, (Virginia State), Christopher Sanders, (Kentucky State), Adoris Turner, (Jackson State) and Damany Mayfield (Virginia State).
Candidates compete in a private interview with Judges, personal platform (oratory), talent, formal attire and onstage interview and question.
The pageant winners and candidates will receive some $10,000 in scholarships, gifts and prizes. Additionally, the winner has the opportunity to represent the program at special events and conferences, visits to K-12 schools and colleges around the country, sharing his platform of achievement and community engagement.
The pageant is in its Twenty-eighth year and is open to college men 18-30 years of age who are enrolled in colleges and universities. The program is being sponsored in conjunction with the National Leadership Summit on Black Men with focus on helping to create the next generation of leaders and Black male achievement in the likes of President Barak Obama, Dr. Cornell West, Mark Morial, the Honorable Louis Farrakhan, Benjamin Chavis, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Eric Holder, Colin Powell, Bob Johnson, LeBron James and Michael Jordan, etc.
Application Deadline is: January 31, 2020.
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: mrcollegiateprograms@gmail.com.
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