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.
Keyera Lyn, the reigning Miss Black Miramar USA, has embarked on an inspiring journey of resilience and purpose. After a period of reflection following her last pageant in 2021, Lyn decided to return to the stage with renewed determination. Now, she’s poised to shine in the Miss Black Florida USA Scholarship Pageant, serving as a beacon of perseverance, empowerment, and ambition for her community. In this interview, Hy-Lo News Publisher, Janey Tate, speaks with Lyn about her journey, the impact of her upbringing, and the mission behind her advocacy work.
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?
Keyera Lyn: The last time I competed in a pageant was in 2021. After not placing, I felt defeated, and the experience left me disheartened. The environment wasn’t welcoming, nor did it foster sisterhood. For a while, I allowed that experience to scar me, and I thought my pageant journey was over because I was not the thinnest or the tallest girl competing. Then, I had a conversation with someone who reminded me that my passion and zest for competing were still alive. Even though I wasn’t competing, my dedication to helping youth never wavered. I decided not to give up and chose to compete for Miss Black Florida USA. I hope to serve as a reminder to young girls that setbacks are not the end. If it’s something you truly desire, keep pressing forward, and never give up.
JT: Where are you originally from and how has your upbringing impacted who you are today?
KL: I was born and raised in Miramar, Florida so it is an honor to represent my hometown. I was raised in a single-family household and this coupled with being a first-generation student is what set the foundation for my platform Future Forward.
JT: What is your pageant platform and why?
KL: Future Forward: Empowering Youth for Success is a platform dedicated to equipping the next generation with essential career growth strategies and building their confidence through public speaking. I’ve had the privilege of speaking to over 200 young individuals about career development and confidence-building with my current title, and I am committed to continuing this mission. As Miss Black Florida USA, I will expand my outreach by traveling across Florida to host public speaking and career readiness workshops, inspiring even more youth to achieve their fullest potential. I will also use the Miss Black Florida USA social media page as an opportunity to share words of wisdom that align with Future Forward.
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?
KL: My village means the world to me! This village is composed of family and friends who not only consistently pray for me but guide me. They are my sound board for those tough decisions and continue to keep me encouraged. I am excited for the pageant because I know they are showing up ready to cheer me on in the loudest way possible.
JT: What will you be performing for the talent portion of the state competition and why?
KL: I will be performing a spoken word. Now more than ever I feel like women have to exercise their voice, even when it feels uncomfortable: I’m using this opportunity to perform on the Miss Black Florida USA stage to remind all the viewers that a powerful woman is unstoppable.
JT: What are you most looking forward to about the Miss Black Florida USA pageant statewide competition?
KL: Being in the presence of such amazing black women. It’s something about when a group of black women get together. The sisterhood and memories that will be made is what I’m looking most forward to with this experience of a lifetime.
JT: What have you learned about yourself on your journey to win the state title?
KL: I was reminded that I can do anything I set my mind to. I’ve continued to work full time, serve as the committee chair for a mentoring group with 40 young ladies, push forward my chapters scholarship, get out in the committee and implement my platform and still make time to focus on my physical and mental wellbeing.
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.
KL: Individually, we can do so much, but together we can do so much more. This organization is focused on the betterment of women across the state of Florida from different walks of life with different passions and platforms. Now more than ever, that support and advocacy for women is needed. Not only are we in an election year where we have the first woman Vice President of the United States running for president, but we are still seeing “firsts” across the country for women and more specifically black women. This pageant is an opportunity to put black women at the forefront.
Check out these photos of Keyera Lyn, Miss Black Miramar USA 2024, and contestant in the 2025 Miss Black Florida USA Scholarship Pageant.
###
Note: The Miss Division of the Miss Black Florida Scholarship pageant organization is open to women ages 19-27. 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.
0 comments on “Contestant Spotlight: Keyera Lyn Plans to Empower the Next Generation in Miss Black Florida USA Scholarship Pageant”