Desiree McKenzie Dubbed 2015 Miss Black San Bernardino Queen

Desiree McKenzie took home the title as 2015’s Miss Black San Bernardino Queen during the pageant last month at the Elks Lodge in San Bernardino. Summit High School student Desiree McKenzie ran against three other qualified and talented young women in the community for the title. Alongside McKenzie was first runner-up Janeice Midgett, student of Arroyo Valley High School. The second runner-up was Cajon High School’s Bashirah Arogundade, and the third runner-up of the night was Ayanna Hamilton from Cajon High School. The judging rubric was based on a variety of categories. Each contestant did community service, sold tickets to the event, and practiced their multiple performances of the night. The night kicked off with a dance routine featuring all four contestants; they each combined their talents for a majestic group dance in which each had an opportunity to highlight their own dance moves, as well. Throughout the night, they also took the stage to perform various talents and challenges individually. This annual pageant, in its 46th year, aims to encourage young women to represent the African-American community with responsibility, integrity, and overall success. This event is held every year with the same goal in mind: to celebrate young black women within the community that are striving for excellence. The ages of contestants range from 17- to 20-year-old students or 16-year-old high school students “engaged in community service and working to achieve academic excellence.” According to Ezekiel Adeleke, the mission and instrumental goal that works as the motivation behind this annual pageant is to “recognize and promote young women in the community that will be tomorrow’s leaders.” The pageant event is hosted by a local non-profit, the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation. It is run by volunteers; they have provided scholarships for community youth to help cover the cost of higher education for over 40 years now.