When we think of pageantry in America, we think of women in sequin gowns,
swimsuits and talent, vying to be queens. The interesting thing is that there
is a queen and no king! Well, the producers of the Mr. Collegiate African
American Scholarship Pageant (MCAASPP) has been changing that imagery since 1990
with the pageant creation, the first of its kind in the world and a catalyst
for campus kings. The program empowers Black college men and changes the
negative imagery of them 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. In the spirit of the African Proverb -"Until the lions have their
historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter," it is
imperative that we tell our stories, and the MCAASPP is that avenue to
change the narrative.
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.
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, which included some college kings and student leaders. Charles
Clemens, Mr. Lincoln University-Pennsylvania, was selected the first Mr.
Collegiate. Incidentally the the program is in its twenty-ninth year and
is the impetus for the increase in Black College Kings, however it is now open
to Black men between 18-30 years of age who are enrolled in colleges and
universities.
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 compete for 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 program is being sponsored in conjunction with the National Leadership
Summit on Black Men, focusing on helping to create the next generation of
leaders and Black male achievement in the likes of President Barak Obama, Sidney Poitier, Mark Morial, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, the Honorable Louis
Farrakhan, John Legend, Benjamin Chavis, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X,
Eric Holder, Bob Johnson, Denzel Washington, Steph Curry, LeBron James and
Michael Jordan, etc.
Application Deadline is: January 31, 2024.
For an application and other information, please contact: The Mr. Collegiate
African American Scholarship Program: P.O. Box 2906, Prairie View, TX
77446-2906. Email: mrcollegiateprograms@gmail.com.
