Teen and Miss Black Mansfield 2024 on tap Thursday at Mansfield Senior High School

The Buckeye State Tiny Princess will Crown new Teen and Miss Black Mansfield winners Thursday at 6 p.m. at Mansfield Senior High School's auditorium, 124 N. Linden Road.

American Royal Beauties Buckeye State Tiny Princess Karter Reese, 3, who is a two-time title-holder in her division and the great-niece of Nicole Brown Horston, pageant director, will crown the new Miss Black Mansfield (ages 19-29) and Teen Miss Black Mansfield (ages 12-18).

This event is not just a pageant but a continuation of a legacy started in Mansfield years ago, organizers said.

Under past directors, the Miss Black Mansfield Pageant has served as a platform for empowerment and celebration of Black excellence, intelligence and talent. According to Horston, the pageant is not just a competition but also a stage to showcase young women’s abilities and aspirations and to inspire others with their achievements.

For the women and teens of Mansfield, Horston’s mission is to make the pageant more than a glamorous event. It's a transformative journey of self-discovery, confidence-building and community involvement. This pageant is about winning a title and discovering one's potential, building confidence and positively affecting the community.

"It's a journey that can change lives, as it did for me, and it's a journey that we invite you to embark on," Horston said.

Cheyla Bradley and Rilda James will compete for the title of Miss Black Mansfield.

Latricia Chatman-Manns, Davanna Parks, Rakayla Smith and Ziy’asia Ginn will compete for the new addition, Teen Miss Black Mansfield.

Winners of each pageant will represent Mansfield at the Miss Black Ohio America Pageant in Columbus June 15.

Admission for ages 10 and up is $10. Children 10 and under are free. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Upon arrival, attendees are asked to use the student entrance.

lwhitmir@gannett.com

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