Black Girls Are Taking Over The World!

Story by Courtney Lyles. Photo courtesy of The New York Times.

These four beautiful black women from left to right are Kaliegh Garris, Miss Teen USA; Nia Franklin, Miss America; Cheslie Kryst, Miss USA and Zozibini Tunzi, Miss Universe.

Kaliegh Garris is an American model and beauty pageant titleholder who was titled Miss Teen USA for 2019. Garrison was born on August 21, 2000, in New Haven, Connecticut and is 19 years old. Garrison had previously been titled Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2019 and is the second entrant from Connecticut to have been titled Miss Teen USA.

Nia Franklin is an American composer and beauty pageant titleholder. Franklin won the titles of Miss New York 2018, Miss America 2018 and Miss America 2019. Franklin was born on July 27, 1993, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and is 26 years old. 

Cheslie Kryst is an American television presenter and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss USA 2019. Kryst was born on April 28, 1991 in Charlotte, North Carolina and is 28 years old.

Zozibini Tunzi is a South African model who was crowned Miss Universe 2019 and Miss South Africa 2019. Tunzi is the third woman from South Africa to win the Miss Universe title, and the first black woman to win the Miss Universe title since 2011. 

These black women are taking over the world and it's important. For a long time black women were told they are not beautiful and do not fit the standard mold of beauty. We thank these girls for being so powerful and strong. We hope these girls will continue to inspire black girls and women around the world to remind them that they are beautiful. 

Courtney Lyles is a 6th grade scholar at Friendship Woodridge International School.