Judging Criteria
“As Black women, we are not a monolith, we are a mosaic. That diversity is our superpower.”
Preliminary competition
All contestants compete for a chance to become a finalist!
PERSONAL FITNESS: 15%
Physical Fitness – Tone, strength, and overall fitness appearance
Confidence & Energy – How she owns the moment and engages the viewer
Stage Presence – Posture, poise, and command of the space
Sportswear Fit & Choice – Flattering, age-appropriate, and styled with intention
Each contestant is judged on how well she embodies health, confidence, and presence, not body size.
TALENT: 35%
Technical Skill – Vocal, dance, spoken word, instrumentation, or creative execution
Artistic Expression – Did she tell a story? Evoke emotion? Communicate something meaningful?
Stage Presence – Confidence, charisma, and command of the space
Professionalism – Preparation, polish, pacing, and overall flow
Overall Performance – Did it feel complete? Memorable? Did she leave you moved or amazed?
Talent is in our DNA. Our contestants don’t perform to impress, they express to inspire. Scoring is based on your ability to bring your gift to life with excellence and authenticity.
EVENING GOWN: 15%
Poise & Grace – How confidently and elegantly she carries herself
Walk & Stage Presence – Posture, flow, and control on the runway
Gown Fit & Styling – How well the gown fits and is styled (hair, accessories, etc.)
Overall Impact – Did she leave a lasting impression? Did she exude queenly presence?
PERSONAL INTERVIEW: 15%
Articulation & Clarity – Is she expressing her thoughts with clarity, purpose, and authenticity?
Composure & Presence – Does she carry herself with confidence and self-awareness, even in tough or unexpected questions?
Depth & Connection – Does she share in a way that feels grounded, intentional, and aligned with who she says she is?
Overall Impression – Do you feel like you met a leader? Did she leave a lasting impression?
Question And Answer: 20%
Articulation & Clarity – Did she express her thoughts clearly and with purpose?
Composure & Confidence – Was she poised, even under pressure?
Depth & Originality of Response – Did she reflect insight, authenticity, and leadership?
Ability to Think on Her Feet – Did she stay on topic, pivot gracefully, and respond thoughtfully?
Finals
The 10 highest scores become the top 10 finalists – their slates will be cleared, and they will re-compete in the following categories:
PERSONAL FITNESS: 25%
TALENT: 25%
EVENING GOWN: 20%
Question And Answer: 30%
*THE NUMBER OF TOP FINALISTS IS BASED ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CONTESTANTS.