Thanks to HBCU graduate Juanita Brown Ingram, every young Black and brown girl [knows] they can be the true princesses and queens they’re meant to be.
Ingram, a Tennessee State University graduate and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member, won the title of Mrs. Universe 2022 on Aug. 24, beating over 75 contestants representing countries all around the world.
Unlike the pageant Miss Universe, Mrs. Universe is only for contestants ages 18 and up, married, and a resident of their country, according to the pageant’s website.
“I won!” Ingram posted. “I am Mrs. Universe 2022! I’ve wanted this title for the last 10 years, and here it is!”
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Not only is she Mrs. Universe, but she’s also an attorney, author and award-winning TV producer with an outstanding resume. She is the first African-American woman to compete and win the titles Mrs. Indiana United States (2007), Ms. World International (2012), Mrs. UK Universe (2013), Mrs. Great Britain World (2011), and Mrs. UK International (2014).
She received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from TSU and attended the University of Memphis for her MBA and Juris Doctorate.
In 2018, Ingram founded Purpose Productions Inc., a woman-ran production company that aims to create content that tells true BIPOC stories and inspires women and the youth. The TSU graduate also started Purpose Streaming on Juneteenth 2021, which is a streaming platform that contains BIPOC content intended to inspire, inform, and empower.
The Chattanooga native is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Dress For Success Greater London, which is a non-profit organization that offers disadvantaged women interview-appropriate attire, support, and career training.
In an interview with Fox’s Greg Funderburg, Ingram gave excellent advice, informing the youth that pageantry is a great way to earn scholarships.
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“I think pageantry with purpose is very powerful,” Ingram said. So, to all the young ladies who are interested in doing that– I say go for it. Definitely prepare. You prepare to succeed. But it is very competitive, it is challenging.”
She continued, “I think for me…a lot of people don’t know about Miss and Mrs. divisions. But definitely in the Miss and Teen there are tremendous amounts of scholarship funds that are available. Definitely prepare and just be your absolute best self.”
