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Black College Queens:
Miss UDC not selected among the 10 finalists

BY ANDREA LOGIE-BROWN

Miss UDC, Danielle Matthews (in orange gown) in stride on stage at the competition of Black College Queens.

The ballroom of Atlanta’s Hyatt Regency Hotel was the backdrop for a display of beauty, brains and poise for the Competition of Black College Queens on Sept. 29. As the highlight of the National Black College Alumni (NBCA) Hall of Fame weekend, African-American young women from universities nationwide vied for the crown of Miss NBCA 2007-2008.

Under the theme, “HBCUs: Protectors of our Heritage and Legacy” Participants were judged on oratory, talent, poise/projection and presentation/image and among them was our very own Miss UDC, Danielle Matthews. Though the epitome of grace and class Matthews’ name was not called among the 10 finalists who were selected based on preliminary judging done days prior to the competition.

When asked for her thoughts on Danielle’s overall performance at the event Student Life Specialist and pageant advisor, Ms. Beverly Gurley said Danielle did an exceptional job and represented the university in a great way.

A crowd favorite from the very start Oma Jones, Miss Tennessee State University, walked away with the title Miss NBCA Hall of Fame.

The Honorable Glenda Hatchett of the popular nationally-syndicated television program, The Judge Hatchett Show and Jeff Johnson social commentator and frequent BET personality served as hosts of the event.

Hatchett, also a member of the Board of Directors of the NBCA Hall of Fame Foundation, said that the board’s vision [for the pageant] was not just entertainment but it sought to remind us of the potential among us. “What’s happening tonight is a good thing,” she said.

In an admitted digression from the evening’s proceedings, Johnson, social commentator and frequent BET personality chided BET for not covering the excellence on display. He said that, “instead of lifting up the foolery,” BET should be promoting intellectual greatness and the value of HBCUs. “BET might be mad at me but I don’t care,” he said.

R and B singer Carl Thomas - a judge for the evening - took the stage and serenaded the queens with the classic, “Summer Rain.” Audience members cheered loudly and sang along word for word.

Actor Emmanuel Lewis of the 1980s sitcom Webster – also a member of the NBCA Board - and Dr. Bobby Jones, host of Bobby Jones Gospel on BET were also in attendance.

 

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