Hy-Lo News has launched the series “The Road to the 2025 Miss Black Florida USA Scholarship Pageant.” We’ll be Profiling Contestants Competing in the Miss; Ms/Mrs and Teen Divisions of the MBFLUSA Pageant.
Adria Boultin, the reigning Ms. Black Richmond Heights, has taken on an inspiring journey of growth and self-empowerment in her quest for the state title. Motivated to push past her comfort zone and become the woman she’s always envisioned, Boultin decided to compete in the Miss Black Florida USA Scholarship Pageant as a testament to her strength and determination. In this interview with Hy-Lo News Publisher, Janey Tate, Boultin opens up about her platform, “Black Girls Win,” her path to self-discovery, and what she’s looking forward to most as she prepares for the statewide competition.
All interview question responses were edited for clarity and grammar.
Janey Tate: Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Black Florida USA Scholarship Pageant?
Adria Boultin: I decided to compete in the pageant because I wanted to experience being around a different set of women. Although it is a competition I wanted to feel a win within myself by stepping outside of my comfort zone and becoming the woman I always knew I could be. Life has a way of throwing loops at you and can convince you that you aren’t good enough but as long as I step outside of my fears I can win in all things.
JT: Where are you originally from and how has your upbringing impacted who you are today?
AB: I am originally from Richmond Heights Florida, growing up it was considered to be a suburb area compared to other sub cites of Miami FL. Richmond Heights was once a pillar for black military families to settle down with homeownership. My grandmother and grandfather purchased a home near Richmond Middle School and raised four girls whom would eventually raise their children in the same community as they grew up. Richmond Heights instilled independence in me. I used to walk to McDonalds by myself each morning in elementary school for a sausage biscuit, or to the neighborhood cookie lady. No matter if I got off the school bus with no instructions I knew where to walk to get back home or to the park for after care. It was an era where black people trusted their kids would be okay if they let them go outside. I’m proud to be from an area that some one knew your mother or grandmother to look out for you.
JT: What is your pageant platform and why?
AB: My Platform is “Black Girls Win” restoring strength and resilience to young girls to let them know no matter how many times you’ve fallen you can get back up and win again. I have been through many things in life and I’m still going through things. Life is our greatest teacher when learning how to deal with the loops it throws us. I believe that if we heal, learn, create, and walk through our challenges in life we will win at anything we put our minds to. I have been homeless, yet eventually I obtained my own place. Trauma can build a wall up around us that makes us forget that we can get through it. I want to be the person that helps encourages young women and women that it is okay when you fall, but you have to get back up to win so your dreams can become a reality.
JT: Who is someone or people in your life who have helped you most on your journey to win the state pageant and what does that mean to you?
AB: A close friend of mine Mo’raye Banks with Rated R Miami, has helped me a lot with becoming comfortable with this process. Even when she didn’t understand the logistics she has been a champion to all of my success and that makes me super happy. Sometimes I don’t get the support I give out to others, but it means a lot when you have good people in your corner.
JT: What will you be performing for the talent portion of the state competition and why?
AB: I will be performing a spoken word written by myself. I decided to write something to myself that encourages my strength, confidence, and pride in the woman I’m evolving into. This pageant isn’t just about winning for me, it’s about taking back my power that I felt I lost over the years. It will be my first time performing in 10 years.
JT: What are you most looking forward to about the Miss Black Florida USA pageant statewide competition?
AB: I’m looking forward to a weekend getaway. I haven’t been to Tampa since I was a kid.
JT: What have you learned about yourself on your journey to win the state title?
AB: I have learned that I can actually get brand ambassador deals. I never thought I could, I didn’t think I had an “aesthetic” but I am evolving into it.
JT: The Miss Black USA and Miss Black Florida USA Scholarship Pageant organizations champion the celebration of Black Women and their service, education and commitment to improving themselves and their community. Explain why you think this is an important mission of the organization and why you think it’s needed in today’s social climate.
AB: In today’s social climate, Black women are the most talked about, mocked, criticized, and more. This organization celebrating Black women is needed to break the walls and create a safe space for women to thrive. Its commitment to service goes a long way when a woman is searching for a place to serve. As a title holder, we become so much more than just a pageant queen. We become a pillar to our community and a representation of what it means to be a Black woman.
Check out these photos of Adria Boultin, Ms. Black Richmond Heights USA 2024 and contestant in the 2025 Ms Black Florida USA Scholarship Pageant.
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Note: The Ms/Mrs Division of the Miss Black Florida Scholarship pageant organization is open to women ages 28-45. The Miss Black Florida USA pageant is a franchise of the Miss Black USA pageant system. The winner of the state title will go on to compete for the national title at the Miss Black USA pageant.
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