Miss Black Connecticut Crowned Miss Black USA® 2010 in the Nation's Capital

UPPER MARLBORO, Md., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Miss Black Connecticut USA, Osas Ighodaro, is the new Miss Black USA® 2010.  She immediately gave praise of thanksgiving to God during her acceptance of the crown at the historical Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC.  This is the first time in history that two queens from Connecticut won the title of Miss Black USA®.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100812/NE49731 )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100812/NE49731 )

Ms. Ighodaro is a professionally trained actress, and she performed her winning talent, "What If I Am a Black Woman" in four dialects.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism from Pennsylvania State University.   She is also a Master of Fine Arts degree candidate for Pace University.  

"It's an honor to be crowned where President Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama resides.  It would be my dream to meet the First Lady," stated Ms. Ighodaro during the post pageant press conference at Ben's Next Door.  Ms. Ighodaro will serve as the celebrity advocate for the pageant's national partnership with the Heart  Truth®  campaign to increase awareness of heart disease.

Shawnta Watson Walcott, former Miss Black Missouri 1993 and champion for social justice, accepted the first ever Miss Black USA® Legacy Award.  

Miss Talented Teen® Arizona, Raven Green, was crowned Miss Black Talented Teen® USA 2010 at the Gaylord National Resort in Prince George's County, MD.  

The Miss Black USA® $20,000 prize package includes: a walk-on role on Tyler Perry's "Meet the Browns", 2-page spread in Heart & Soul magazine, a trip to Africa, and a scholarship to the prestigious New York School for Dramatic Arts.

Official sponsors included Tyler Perry Studios, Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, F&L Construction, New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, and Heart & Soul magazine.

ABOUT MISS BLACK USA:

The Miss Black USA Pageant and Scholarship Foundation® has been revolutionizing pageantry as the preeminent pageant for women of color ages 18-27 since 1986.  Founded by Karen Arrington, the pageant provides scholarships to deserving young women.  MBUSA is a non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation.  Ms. Arrington will release her book, "First Ladies, Be the Leading Lady of Your Life", this fall.  For more info:  www.missblackusa.org

SOURCE Miss Black USA Pageant and Scholarship Foundation, Inc.