DU’s Black Student Alliance (BSA) hosted their first Miss Affinity Pageant, an eventful night that not only celebrated students of color, but also challenged traditional beauty standards in pageantry. Eight women of color took the stage to showcase their skills, stories and authentic selves in an evening that prioritized representation and empowerment over conventional competition.
The pageant was the passion project of Theodora Boateng, a first-year student double-majoring in theatre and strategic communications who serves as secretary of BSA. After competing in last year’s Miss Colorado Pageant and finding her passion in the industry, Boateng spent months advocating and planning for the BSA event.
Having observed that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) often host pageants for their schools, she wanted to create a similar opportunity for connection and community at DU. She advocated for the planning of the event every week at BSA meetings, until leadership invited her to join the executive board and plan the event herself.
As audience members gathered around the tables, Boateng began to speak about her pageant journey and her goals behind the night.
“We all recognize the importance of giving affinity groups a place to represent themselves in the way that they want,” Boateng said, addressing ongoing campus conversations about how these communities are represented and acknowledged by the university administration.
Boateng introduced the judges panel, consisting of Miss Colorado 2024 Alexandra Lotko, Miss Colorado USA 2024 Jessi Kalambayi, Trajan Rehder and Jorge Espinoza.
After long anticipation, it was time to meet the delegates. Each participant came out in their first outfit, introducing themselves and giving the audience a first look. The delegates consisted of Amarri Bishop, Arely Campos, Cemara Johnson, Namugga Nakayiza, Nadia Brooks, Kimberly Guevara, Mia Butler and Paola Garcia-Barron.
To start off the night, the talent portion showcased the delegates’ diverse artistic abilities, with performances ranging from original spoken word poetry to musical covers and visual art demonstrations. Nakayiza particularly energized the crowd with her dance performance to “Dance with Me” by Peter Brown, where she engaged the audience with her infectious energy.
The standout performance came from Brooks, a third-year student and BSA treasurer, who performed her original poem, “Triple Threat,” about her identity as a Black bisexual woman. The deeply personal piece, written almost four years ago, received thunderous applause and embodied the pageant’s celebration of intersectional identity.
Coming from a family of storytellers, Brooks has a profound love for creative writing and literary arts.
“I feel all of my different identities fighting with each other,” Brooks shared in regard to the poem. “This speaks to me in a deep way and I was so excited to present it.”
The evening gown competition followed the talent category and featured delegates in stunning attire ranging from Bishops’s beautiful sparkly red dress to Namugga’s pale blue gown. As each woman walked the stage, Boateng provided personal facts that highlighted their individual achievements and aspirations.
The on-stage question portion proved particularly engaging, with judges asking questions about the university’s 4D experience, leadership and social issues. When asked what she would say to Chancellor Jeremy Haefner, Nakayiza drew huge applause with her succinct response: “I would ask him where all of our money is going.”
Throughout the evening, the event challenged misconceptions about pageantry that Boateng frequently encounters.
“People still think all these pageant programs are based on what your face looks like, but when it comes to Miss America Opportunity, there are so many different parts of it. It’s also based on charisma, personality and confidence,” said Boateng, who wanted to incorporate these values into the Affinity Pageant.
Boateng, who currently competes as Miss Arapahoe County with a Community Service Initiative (CSI) called “Seeds of Creativity,” aimed at diversifying theatre spaces, is working to change pageantry’s demographic landscape.
“We don’t see a lot of black women in pageants and I would really like to change the narrative,” she explained. “As a titleholder, what I am trying to do is use the crown and sash to empower others.”
After another short break, the women were called back onto stage as the top five were announced: Bishop, Nakayiza, Guevara, Brooks and Garcia-Barron. Following an additional evening gown presentation and more on-stage questions — and a spontaneous dance break from the delegates — the awards began.
Cooper and Nakayiza tied for the People’s Choice Award, which was selected by audience members during the break. Guevara earned both Miss Congeniality and the evening gown preliminary award, while Brooks swept the preliminary talent and on-stage question categories.
The final results saw Garcia Barron as fourth runner-up, with Bishop and Guevara tying for second and third runner-up. Nakayiza claimed first runner-up and Brooks was crowned the inaugural Miss DU Affinity.
Brooks spoke on the impact this event had on uplifting marginalized voices.
“It shows black beauty, but not just physical beauty, just the fact that we can be in these spaces,” Brooks said after her win.
The first-time pageant participant drew on her speech and debate experience to channel confident energy throughout the competition, leading her to the crown.
“Theodora has had her heart set on this pageant for the entire year. She wanted to showcase diverse performing arts at DU and I think this pageant absolutely shows it off,” said Brooks.
The success of the inaugural pageant has BSA looking toward future programming.
Brooks shares that BSA is looking to put on “more large events where we can showcase black joy in all sorts of diverse ways,” as the organization actively recruits new executive board members. For students interested in joining the BSA executive board, reach out via Instagram.
Boateng hopes the evening’s impact extends beyond the immediate participants.
“I hope people see the eight delegates and think ‘wow I want to do that too,'” she said.
The Miss DU Affinity Pageant represents more than a single evening. For Boateng, it’s a statement about belonging and representation. As Boateng continues her own pageantry journey, having represented Aurora in 2024 and now Arapahoe County in 2025, she’s using her platform to ensure others see themselves reflected in spaces where they’ve historically been underrepresented.
Boateng will compete in the Miss Colorado Pageant this June at the Newman Center’s Gates Concert Hall. Preliminary nights are scheduled for June 12 and 13, with Finals Night on June 14.
