Mikaylah Clipper, a public health major, was crowned Miss Black UofL 2018. Clipper also won the Professor Hart award, named after Brenda Hart, founder of the UofL chapter of NSBE. This award is given to the contestant who shows compassion for her community through service on and off campus. In addition to this title, Clipper also won $500 to support her platform and volunteer work against child sexual abuse awareness in the black community. She will work with the Exploited Children’s Help organization. 

Other contestants this year included: Oby Igwe, Biology & Asian Studies; Ruth Metellus, Biology & Pan African Studies; Gzeonie Hampton, Political Science & English, minor in MEIS Social Change & Peace Studies; and Jalesia Johnson, Psychology. 

This year, instead of a swim suit competition, the contestants followed the theme, “Ladies of STEM.” The audience was introduced to Alex Canady, Patricia Bath, Jane Cooke Wright, Henrietta Lacks, and Mami Phipps Clark; all African American women scientists.

NSBE members worked tirelessly to plan and organize this annual signature event, following their mission: “Bridging the Gap.” 

Speed School seems so far away and that notion has prompted the feeling of seclusion on campus, explains Erica Gray, co-op advisor, Chemical and Electrical Engineering at the Speed School. “Bridging the Gap” began two years ago as a way to overcome that feeling of seclusion and to foster an initiative to do more “on the other side of campus.”  

This year’s judges were Dr. Tamara Adams, assistant professor, director of Undergraduate Studies, Yolanda Demaree, A&S Dean’s Staff, Aaliyah Davis, Industrial Engineering student, Willis Lee, Speed School graduate student, Jamal McFarland, Mechanical Engineering alumni.

This year’s winner was Mackenzie Ross, an Equine Business major from Marrietta, Georgia. She will represent NSBE in July at the Miss Kentucky pageant in Lexington.

The first runner up was Kendra Malone (who also won the People’s Choice Award). She is a Graphic Design major and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

The second runner up was Stephanie Henry, a senior Social Work major. Henry also won the “Professor Hart” award, which goes to a contestant who shows compassion for her community through service on and off campus. The award is named after Brenda Hart, a retired Engineering professor who founded NSBE at UofL in 1974. Professor Hart was in the audience and presented the award. 

The current Homecoming Kinq and Queen, Jordan Potts and Keturah Smith, served as emcees for the night.

Erica Gray, advisor, acknowledged the Miss Black UofL pageant committee and NSBE members for displaying leadership and commitment during this process.

“I am proud of their efforts in planning and preparing for this event. This is event is continuing to support their goal to bridge the gap with the university student body.” Gray said.

This year, the pageant opened with a moment of silence for Savannah Walker, a UofL student who was killed a week ago in a shooting at the Tim Faulkner Gallery.