World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Makeva Armant-Muhammad Royal International Ms. Louisiana 2019.
Full name: Makeva Armant-Muhammad
Title/Year: Royal International Ms. Louisiana 2019
Pageant System: Royal International Miss
Age: 27
Zodiac sign: Capricorn
Hobbies: Traveling, singing, listening to music, studying French
Platform: Diversity & Inclusion Through World Language Education
Years competed: 4
Countries visited: France, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, & Iceland
Likes: Spending time with friends and family, dancing, eating, the color red, random acts of kindness, cultural discoveries.
Dislikes: rudeness and hatred
Status: Married
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
I am a 27 year old native of New Orleans, La. and the daughter of Shannon Armant and Kim Armant. I began my study of languages at the age of 14 which also sparked the start of my passion for cultural/linguistic diversity and world travel. The French language and culture quickly became my fascination, and thus, I continued my exploration, receiving a bachelor's degree in Modern Languages: French Concentration/Spanish Minor from the University of Louisiana, Monroe (ULM). The fascination did not stop there. I went on to receive two separate scholarships to study abroad from The Council on the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL). During my time abroad, I studied in Mons, Belgium at Université de Mons in 2013 and again in 2017. I made high-ranking scores on the internationally-recognized language exam administered by the Institute for Research in Language Science and Technology. Over the past five years I have been a French teacher, and as an educator, I have taken a group of students on a study abroad trip to Paris, France, and we’ve participated annually in the Festival of World Languages that is held at ULM every spring. I have been to several other countries including Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Iceland. My love for languages and cultures doesn't stop with French. I have hosted events such as an International Awareness Day, an International Music Festival, and an International Health Expo. I desire to reveal the beauty of diversity and community alliance by bringing community members together to celebrate the uniqueness and similarities in all cultures. Recently married (October 20, 2018), I relocated to Baltimore, Maryland where I currently serves as a Graduate Assistant in French at UMBC while pursuing a master’s degree in Intercultural Communication. In the meantime, I am also focusing on my own nonprofit Immersed, Inc. through which I plan to provide language classes, tutoring, study abroad support, social programs and more to low-income communities.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women Empowerment means to you?
Women Empowerment means recognizing and stimulating the wonder that is being a woman. It means that women and their superpowers are not just seen, but the they are appreciated, and they are used to influence and spark growth, beauty, and magic in the world.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history.
I hesitantly competed in my first pageant in 2011. It was the Miss Omega Psi Phi pageant at ULM. Although I didn’t have the confidence and desire to compete, I did anyway, and I won! After that, I competed two years for the title of Miss ULM, and I walked away with the Advertisement Sales Award the second year. I stopped doing pageants until 2017 when I was invited to compete for the title of Miss Black Louisiana USA. Because someone else believe in my potential, I agreed and successfully completed the necessary requirements to earn the title of Miss Black East Baton Rouge Parish 2017. From there, I competed and won the title of Miss Black Louisiana USA 2018. After completing my reign, I decided to look into more diverse pageant organizations. After all, diversity is my platform. I was excited to be offered the opportunity to represent the wonderful state of Louisiana for another year as the Royal International Ms. Louisiana 2019. World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
A friend of mine pushed me to compete. I guess it’s safe to say that she saw much more within me than I saw within myself. I never considered myself a “pageant girl,” but I’ve learned that there isn’t just one type of person in pageantry. I’ve also learned that there is a work to be done in my community, and young girls who need role models that they can reach, and I am the PERFECT person for that!
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
In addition to continuing my impact on my community by raising awareness for cultural diversity and language studies, I want to continue being an example to young girls who look like me. I love being able to help little Black girls realize their worth and know that they too are beautiful.
World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
Royal International Miss offers a unique blend of glamor and elegance to the traditional world of pageantry. There is a number of required competition categories, but the real fun comes out in the optional categories like talent, top model…etc. Contestants can even opt to compete for Role Model titles. Because of wide range/variety of categories, moms have the opportunity to compete alongside their daughters.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition?
The required categories are Personal Interview, Onstage introduction, Fun Fashion, and evening gown. Contestants are being judged on their intelligence, personality, and style.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
This will be my first time competing in this organization, but I look forward to the experience. I cannot wait to rock the stage for the Fun Fashion competition for the first time in my pageant experience.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
My platform is Diversity & Inclusion through World Language Education. I feel that cultural diversity is crucial if we want to experience peace around the world. I also feel that in order for us to understand each other, we must first relate and communicate effectively in order to facilitate collaboration and cooperation.
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title?
I have done many appearances as a pageant queen including fashion shows, meet & greets, other pageant competitions, galas, natural health expos…etc. I even launched my very own tour last year throughout the state of Louisiana.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements?
Aside from educational achievements, I have married the love of my life and mastered the art of travel and cultural discovery.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over?
Onstage, I remain authentic to myself and I let my true personality shine through. And I never forget my smile and confidence.
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
I think what makes me stand out is my personality and style. As soon as I step out onstage, I demand the attention of everyone in the room from my walk, my talk and my wardrobe.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner.
When my name was called, I could feel everything in my body freeze. I could not stop smiling and crying. I felt so proud to be honored with the title and responsibility of being the face of my state.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
I don’t consider myself a “beauty” queen. Being part of these organizations has transformed so much in meaning throughout the years, and we represent much more than beauty. With that said, I consider myself to be a talented, well-spoken, educated, health-conscious, community-empowered QUEEN.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life?
Competing in pageants has helped me overcome my fear of public performance and self-doubt.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants helped your selfesteem and body image?
I have learned that I am beautiful and how to love myself effectively. Before competing in pageants, I thought that because I was thin and dark-skinned that I wasn’t pretty enough. After all of the empowerment sessions, coaching classes, and love that I’ve received from sister queens, pageant directors, and supportive family members, I have learned that I was so wrong!
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
OMG it feels amazing and scary at the same time! I am so honored to be able to inspire others to be their best selves and love themselves and those around them. I am also beyond blessed to be able to share my passion and encourage others to study languages and cultures. On the other hand, I know that to much is given, much is required. I am constantly reminding myself to stay aware of how my present myself in the public eye. I cannot afford to let down those young girls who have no one else to look up to.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
Confidence is key. Everyone’s pageant walk is unique, but what matters is how you sell it.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress?
Make sure that you are comfortable in this gown. If you feel comfortable, then you can feel beautiful. If you feel beautiful, then you can let that show onstage.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview?
Slow down! Think, and remain calm. Be yourself. The judges want to know YOU, not who you studied to act like.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition?
I stayed up-to-date on current issues, and I made sure to keep my gym regimen going.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
I cannot think of one thing in particular. But each time I compete, I try to do better than I did before. I compete against my own previous score each time.
World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
I have been lucky enough to have been among some amazingly talented and well-spoken ladies. I can’t say that I recall any mistakes made by my sister queens.
World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience?
I walked in the One of a Kind Baton Rouge Fashion Week Fashion Show in 2018 and in the Lake Charles Fashion Week Fashion Show in 2017.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2019 as a Queen?
I plan to expand on everything I did in 2018. I want to do more tours spreading awareness for my platform and inspiring young women in my community.
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
I want to leave behind a legacy of equality, inclusiveness, love and acceptance. If I can help it, everyone I reach will become more culturally and globally aware.
International Director: Sharon Nordquist
Your Local Director: Jeff LeForce
Pageant website: www.royalinternationalmiss.com
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you to Makeva Armant-Muhammad Royal International Ms. Louisiana 2019 for this wonderful interview.
Makeva Armant-Muhammad Royal International Ms. Louisiana 2019, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Photo by Tony Chillz
Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief Mr United Nations 2018 Platform: Women Empowerment Ambassador to International Foundation for Orphans iffocares.org
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