By Delarita Ford
Mail | X: @AzNewsmedia

The Black Globe International Pageant will shed a light on royalty, fashion, and excellence within women of the diaspora at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21.

Cocktail or royal attire is recommended for the red-carpeted affair, “Black Globe International Crowning the Nations and Fashion Extravaganza,” at the Comfort Suites State Farm Stadium, 9824 W. Camelback Road, Glendale.

“Crowning Nations: The Royalty and Fashion Extravaganza,” is the theme for the event, which includes a VIP reception from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. with doors opening for general admission at 4:30 p.m. From beach to country costume and elegant evening gowns, the evening features a fashion extravaganza to showcase the royal collections from the queens’ personal selection, according to a press release.

Queens representing the global diaspora will be crowned at the pageant. Attendees will meet the new international and national queens for 2024 as they accept their roles to make a global impact. Advising judges are author/speaker Vivian Phillips; motivational speaker/author Charise King; and start-up innovator/entrepreneur Eric Carder, who will offer insight and feedback to contestants after their performance to prepare them for their reign.

“Our queens are more than just symbols of beauty; they are symbols of strength, intelligence, and compassion,” stated Dr. Stephvanie Wynn, the Black Globe International Pageants spokesperson. “Through their impact, they will inspire change, support charitable causes, and help others feel beautiful both inside and out.”

In addition to crowning the new queens who represent many countries, the event will spotlight the exemplary women “who are more than just beautiful faces,” added Wynn.

She described the women as entrepreneurs, professionals, influencers, military leaders, and advocates for positive change.

Women will compete in the following divisions:

• Miss Black Globe International - A platform for ladies, ages 18 to 35, who radiate charisma, intelligence, and ambition.
• Ms. Black Globe International - A celebration of the grown and sexy ladies, ages 36 and up, who embody charm, elegance, and grace.
• Mrs. Black Globe International - Married woman who encourages strength, resilience, and beauty among women while maintaining a positive relationship with her husband and family.

“My reign is up this year. It has been something out of the movies sort of. I never thought someone my age, and an African American, could be the Ms. Black Globe International Queen,” said Lorraine Taylor, a Sun City resident. “It has been a truly inspiring, loving, caring sisterhood and adventure for me. It truly has. Everything I have done over the last year for Black Globe helps me enhance myself.”

Taylor, a singer/actor/producer, tells other women about becoming part of the organization for beauty queens to serve as ambassadors of change throughout the world since the organization has a history of empowering women from diverse backgrounds from the diaspora and offers a platform to make a difference in communities locally and globally. 

VIP and general tickets starting at $45 can be purchased at BlackGlobePageants.com. For more information on advertising opportunities or be featured in the souvenir program book: BlackGlobePageants@gmail.com.

Ms. Black Globe International Queen Lorraine Taylor shown in blue dress with other queens.

(Delarita Ford/Independent Newsmedia)

Delarita Ford
Lead Reporter | Surprise

dford@iniusa.org

Meet Delarita
Delarita Ford originally joined Independent Newspapers Incorporated, now Independent Newsmedia, Inc. USA in 1997, as a general assignment reporter for the Delaware State News daily paper after starting her journalism career in Maryland in 1994, where she honed her skills by writing obituaries, covering community news from births to deaths, education to legislation and more. As a reporter, she has had the opportunity to cover sitting and former U.S. presidential visits in Baltimore, Delaware, and Arizona.

Community: One of the few seasoned journalists who still enjoys covering community events, she can be found with a reporter’s pad taking notes, her phone taking pictures while capturing life’s moments to memorialize them in print for the local newspapers and for the active-adult community where she lives. She maintains a presence with the Black media and the National Association of Black Journalists to encourage peers, socialize, and mentor younger writers.

Education: Life learner who learns from life. Aside from the collegiate education received, she got the best training from on-the-job experience with former editors who went through copy with a red pen and demanded the best writing for hard news and feature stories. 

Random Fact: While a Delaware State News reporter, she could call then Sen. Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, usually late at night if a quote or input was needed for varying topics, including legislation and education.

Hobbies: Adopt rescue dogs and give them a nice home. Continuously read and critique news stories from various platforms.