Conducting Diamond Bryant’s pre and post-interviews for Miss Black and Gold has been a true pleasure and honor for me. Being only a sophomore, Bryant will continue to make her mark on this campus and world. Being Miss 1969 is a huge accomplishment that us here at NABJ and me personally are so proud of her for. Here are some questions I asked Bryant now that she’s officially your new reigning Miss 1969:
Q: You are the new Miss 1969! How does it feel?
A: Honestly, I feel honored. I’m honored that the members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Zeta Psi Chapter trust me to represent them. I am honored to be the FIRST Miss 1969. I’m going to set a good example for those coming after me. I’m excited to see what is in store next.
Q: How did you feel when you heard your name being called?
A: When my name was being called I honestly did not know how to feel. The emotions did not really set in for me until after we got off the stage. I was just happy to be up there with my pageant sisters.
Q: What was your favorite performance that you did at the show and why?
A: My favorite performance from the pageant was honestly the intro dance with all of us. That is my personal favorite, because it was the least stressful section, and it was really fun.
Q: Now that it’s over, what’s something about yourself that you carried into the pageant that you think propelled you to ultimately get through it?
A: Something about myself that I carried through the pageant that propelled me to get through it was wanting to grow as a person and finding every opportunity to do that. My goal was not to win; my goal was to find areas that I could grow as a person. I wanted to push myself. My pageant coach, Devynn Gray, Miss Black and Gold 2018, and Isaiah Rogers always reminded me of that during times when I was stressed and overwhelmed.
Q: What are your goals for the coming year as the new Miss 1969?
A: My goal for the coming year as Miss 1969 is to be able to participate in community service and advocate for the wellbeing of those around me.
Q: What advice would you give to others who are considering competing in pageants or pursuing their own dreams?
A: Some advice I would give is to make sure you are doing it for you, you live in the moment, and you give yourself grace throughout the whole process. Every opportunity in life is an opportunity to grow, and sometimes growing is not fun. It feels uncomfortable, because it is unfamiliar. Do not give up. Believe in yourself more than anyone.
Q: What’s a fun fact or things we didn’t see form the pageant that the audience doesn’t know?
A: A fun thing you did not see from the pageant was the Alphas knew some of our intro dance.
Q: Now that Miss Black and Gold pageant is over, what are some ways you’re decompressing from all of it?
A: I have honestly been taking time for myself. During the process of the pageant, I was around people a lot and did not have much time to myself. I personally thrive from having some alone time. So, I have just been trying to focus back on things that I enjoy doing.
Q: What legacy do you hope to leave as Miss 1969?
A: The legacy I hope to leave as Miss 1969 is kindness and making a lasting positive impact on those I come across. I hope to be a leader to those around me. I hope that people see Miss 1969 as someone who is wise and generous. Someone with resilience, integrity and empathy.
Q: What’s some other personal goals and things you have in store for the rest of the year or semester?
A: Some personal goals I have in store for the rest of the year is to continue growing my relationship with God, focus on my academics and spend time with my friends.