June 20 | 5:00 PM | APSU Clement Auditorium

The Miss Clarksville Juneteenth Pageant is a celebration of empowerment, culture, and community, designed to honor the brilliance, beauty, and potential of Black women in Clarksville, Tennessee. This transformative scholarship pageant offers a platform for young women to shine in three divisions: Miss (18-27), Teen(14-17), and Jr. Miss (10-13), each showcasing the diverse talents, strength, and leadership of Black women across the region.

At its core, the Miss Clarksville Juneteenth Pageant is dedicated to fostering confidence, self-expression, and community engagement. Our mission is to provide an empowering experience that amplifies the voices of participants, uplifts their communities, and helps them step boldly into their futures.

As we celebrate Juneteenth, a momentous day of freedom and resilience, the pageant honors the rich history, achievements, and limitless potential of Black women. Whether on stage or in their communities, participants are encouraged to embrace their unique identities, build strong relationships, and champion positive change for generations to come.

Join us in celebrating the next generation of leaders, visionaries, and changemakers at the Miss Clarksville Juneteenth Pageant!

Apply Today

Black Women & Pageantry

The first Miss America pageant was held in 1921 but it took nearly 50 years before a Black woman even participated in the event. In the 1930s up until 1940, a rule was reportedly in place that read, “contestants must be of good health and of the white race” to qualify for the Miss America pageant.

Rules like this one, the lack of representation and access into the Miss America pageant sparked the development of the Miss Black America pageant. The first Miss Black America pageant occurred on August 17, 1968, in protest of Miss America. Although, Black organizations had been holding community-based pageants due to segregation laws in the United States prior to this event being established.

Despite these inclusive pageants, Black women still vied for the title of Miss America and thirty years after the discriminatory rule was removed from the pageant’s handbook, Cheryl Browne, of Iowa, became the first Black woman to be a contestant in the pageant in 1970.

It would take another 14 years before a Black woman would win the title. Vanessa Williams, of New York, accomplished this becoming the first Black Miss America in 1984.

The other famed US-focused pageant is Miss USA. It is similar to Miss America but the organizations are completely separate; however, they both have struggled with lack of diversity in its history.

The first Miss USA pageant took place in 1952. It wasn’t until 1990 when Carole Gist, representing Michigan, became the first Black woman to be crowned Miss USA. In 1993, Kenya Moore, also representing Michigan, became just the second Black Miss USA.

The winner of Miss USA goes on to compete in Miss Universe which was re-established in 1952 after previously running from 1926-1935. Janelle Commissiong, of Trinidad and Tobago, was crowned the first Black Miss Universe in 1977.

Before Asya Branch could be named Miss USA 2020 or the record setting quintet Nia Franklin (Miss America 2019), Cheslie Kryst (Miss USA 2019), Kaliegh Garris (Miss Teen USA 2019) Zozibini Tunzi (Miss Universe 2019), and Toni-Ann Singh (Miss World 2019) could all earn the World’s top beauty pageant crowns in the same year – a few Black women broke down barriers to even make it possible.

Become Miss Clarksville Juneteenth

Pageant Rules

Apply Today

To participate in the Miss Juneteenth Clarksville Pageant, contestants must:
a. Be a Current Resident of Clarksville/Montgomery County, Tennessee:
To ensure that the Miss Juneteenth Pageant is rooted in and representative of the local community, contestants must meet the following residency criteria:
- Proof of Residency: Contestants must provide valid documentation showing they currently reside in Clarksville or Montgomery County. Accepted forms of proof include:
  - A government-issued ID with a Clarksville/Montgomery County address.
  - A utility bill or lease agreement in the contestant's name with a local address.
  - A school ID or official correspondence showing enrollment in a Clarksville/Montgomery County institution.
- Duration of Residency: Contestants must have lived in Clarksville/Montgomery County for a minimum of 90 days prior to the date of the pageant.
- Military or Student Exceptions:
  - Military personnel or dependents stationed in Clarksville/Montgomery County qualify, regardless of the duration of their posting.
  - College or high school students attending a school in Clarksville/Montgomery County but whose permanent address is elsewhere are eligible if they provide proof of current enrollment.
Community Engagement: Contestants should demonstrate a connection to the Clarksville/Montgomery County community through work, school, volunteering, or other involvement.
Contestants must meet the age and status requirements for their respective divisions in the Miss Juneteenth Clarksville Pageant:
- Miss Clarksville Juneteenth: Ages 18-27
- Miss Teen Clarksville Juneteenth : Ages 14-17
- Miss Jr. Teen Clarksville Juneteenth: Ages 10-13
- Contestants must be the specified age on the date of the pageant.
- Submit all required application materials and fees by the stated deadline.
- Contestants must be unmarried and have no children.
- Private Interview 35%
- Outfit of Choice 30%
- Evening Gown 30%
- Community Service 5%
Each queen is required to complete 8 hours (4 hours for Jr. Miss) of community service for pageant scoring. Contestants are encourage to complete more than the required community service hours. The queen with the most completed community service hours from February 2025-June 15 2025 will reveive the Community Service Award
In addition to the main pageant categories and the community service awards contestant will have the opportunity to win Miss Congeniality, Most Photogenic, and People’s Choice awards.
Pageant participation fees are as follows. All pageant fees are non-refundable.
Miss: $295
Teen: $295
Jr. Miss: $100
Miss Clarksville Juneteenth 2025 will receive:
- Official Crown and Titling
- Official Satin Sash
- Trophy/ Achievement Plaque
- Bouquet Fresh Flowers
- Cash Prize**
- Crown Box
- Logo Tote bag
- Official photoshoot and make up artist service
- Public Appearance and Special Event Engagement
- Brand Ambassador Opportunities
- VIP seating at 2026 Clarksville Juneteenth Pageant
- 2026 Clarksville Juneteenth Pageant on stage appearance
- 2026 Program Book Feature
- Featured on Black Clarksville Website and Social Media
  **CASH PRIZE BREAKDOWN
  Teen 14-17 years $500 Scholarship
  Miss 18-27 years (unmarried) $1000 Scholarship
  Cash prize is contingent on a full court of 5 members. Directors will award a prorated amount for divisions with less than a full court. Jr. Miss division does not receive a cash prize, but does receive all of the other amazing awards.
Yes! Payment plans are available. Please contact our pageant director at missjuneteenth@clarksvillejuneteenth.com after you apply.