Grace, poise, talent, and a pretty smile are expected attributes in the beauty and scholarship pageant scene. However 26 year-old De’Vaughnn Williams, the current Miss Black Washington USA, has always possessed a unique ability to do what’s more than expected.
A mother of a two year old son, who works as a masseuse and mentor at the Life Enrichment Group serving African American youth and other kids of color, Williams is a young, vibrant woman who maintains a sunny disposition, laughing easy and often. It’s an attitude that belies her upbringing.
At the age of four, Williams along with her two brothers and sister became embroiled in the foster care system when their parents were dealing with issues of substance abuse. By the time she reached the fourth grade, Williams had lived in four different foster homes and attended five elementary schools. At the age of 18, she and her siblings were awarded damages by a King County Jury from the Department of Social Health Services for negligence in their oversight of the foster homes the children lived in.
Attorney Rebecca Roe who represented the youth in the case said at the time that “no group of kids has slipped through the cracks as thoroughly.”
“I know that in a lot of cases foster care is the best option. In my case there were a lot of flaws that should have been addressed,” said Williams. “Our case was covered in the local media as an egregious lapse in the system. I was young but I knew something was off. I knew we weren’t being raised or taken care of as much as we should have been. There was a pattern of abuse and emotional abuse…by the fourth home there was a light at the end of the tunnel. [We had] breakfast before school and clean rooms, but at that point we were angry.”
Despite the anger, Williams made it a mission to thrive. Given her early plight in life, it would be easy to expect her to be like many young women in her shoes and become a statistic, falling into a cycle drugs or abusive relationships. In contrast, Williams chose to give back to other kids in similar situations, using her own story as testimony.
Monika Matthews, Executive Director at the Life Enrichment Group and Assistant Pageant Director, commented on Williams’ character as the inspiration gave her the notion to convince Williams to try out for Miss Black Washington USA.
“De’Vaughnn is really sweet, kind-hearted, upbeat, spirited young woman,” said Matthews. “She takes pride in what she does and despite obstacles she’s able to push through and help to strengthen the community.”
“I wanted to do something to encourage kids and help uplift their self-esteem,” Williams said. “There’s a lot of rejection most kids feel in the foster care system. I will never forget the times an adult was nice to me or showed they cared because I was missing so much nurturing.”
Part of the nurturing Williams gives to the community is as a mentor and facilitator for the Life Enrichment Group’s Young Queens developmental program for middle and high school age girls. In the program she works with a variety of girls each week teaching a curriculum based on self-love, personal development, academic achievement, and sisterhood. The organization’s program is duplicated for elementary age girls titled Girl Power.
“Our programs are dedicated to the overlooked kids in our society, the foster kids, the ones whose parents are incarcerated or who are living with their grandparents for one reason or another,” stated Matthews. “The reason [Williams] is so effective in working with young people is because she can relate.”
In addition to the work she does at the Life Enrichment Program, Williams dedicates her time as a volunteer with local food banks and The Trufant Family Foundation while also making plans to enroll in classes to become certified as a sign language interpreter. It’s a schedule she plans to build on while shining the light on as many beneficial causes as possible during her reign as Miss Black Washington.
Sarah Dean, Executive Director of the Miss Black Washington Scholarship Pageant, is helping Williams prepare for the national Miss Black USA pageant in Washington, D.C. this August. Previous national winners have received $20,000 in cash and prizes, a walk-on role in a Tyler Perry production and a spread in Heart and Soul Magazine. According to Dean, preparation for the national competition includes walking poise and posture, as well as answering questions on the spur of the moment, which range from politics, socio-economic factors, lifestyles, image, current affairs, love, relationships, community, faith, and more.
“De’Vaughnn is one of the most positive individuals I have ever met,” said Dean. “Her willingness to experience life, engage others in conversations and her complete interest in the world around her is fascinating. She has an adventuresome spirit and a profound appreciation for each new day. I have watched in awe as she commits to this challenge. She is attentive, observant and eager to learn every aspect of pageantry.”
“The pageant to me is a movement,” said Williams. “There are so many bad stereotypes about brown and Black women. It gives a way for women who look like me to further their education and to give back to causes that are important to them.”
Matthews agrees and believes that Williams is representing our state as Ms. Black Washington very well.
“She’s able to influence young ladies to look at themselves as they are as a whole and helps to redefine beauty,” said Matthews. “She’s raising the standard for young people just by wearing her crown.”
To learn more about Miss Black Washington USA, visit http://www.facebook.com/MissBlackWashingtonUSA.
