UPPER MARLBORO, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Miss Black USA is pleased to announce Calgon, a leading bath and beauty brand best known for its iconic “Take Me Away” tagline, as the presenting sponsor of the 2011 Miss Black USA Pageant on Monday, August 8, 2011 at 7:00 pm at the historical Lincoln Theatre. In the spirit of the First Lady Michelle Obama, this year's contestants truly embody her legacy as a Black woman who is intelligent, beautiful and believes in service.
“Calgon is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of the 2011 Miss Black USA Pageant. We admire the organization for their devotion to empowering women through education and their commitment to giving back to the community, values we at Calgon are committed to as a company,” said Bernie Kropfelder, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Calgon.
Our contestants truly are the “next generation of leading ladies advocating for change in their communities!”, said Karen Arrington, Founder/CEO of Miss Black USA.
MBUSA has been revolutionizing pageantry since 1986 as the preeminent pageant for women of color ages 18-27. The legacy continues as this year’s contestants represent “who’s who” of young Black women across the nation from Alabama to Iowa to Washington to the District of Columbia.
Celebrities and political leaders will participate in the pageant’s weeklong activities. The Honorary Host Committee includes members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) such as Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9), Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL), Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-7), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), and Congressman Donald Payne (NJ-10).
Judges include Roger Bobb, Producer (Tyler Perry Studios); Demetria McKinney (Actress, House of Payne), Crystal Langhorne, Washington Mystics (WNBA); Edwin Avent, Publisher (Heart & Soul magazine); b michael America (Celebrity Fashion Designer) and Kalilah Allen-Harris, M.D., Former Miss Black USA 207.
Other sponsors include Tyler Perry Studios, VIP Smiles, b michael America, New York Conservatory, School for Television and Film and Heart & Soul magazine.
The week will commence with a Red Dress VIP Reception at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel on Wednesday, August 3 (6:30 pm-8:30 pm) in Arlington, VA to raise awareness of heart disease, the #1 killer of women and a national cause of Miss Black USA.
The 24th annual final competition on Monday, August 8 (7:00 pm) takes place at the historical Lincoln Theatre. Special guests will grace the Red Carpet (6:30 pm). Deya Smith, former MBUSA 1994 and Producer (Tom Joyner Morning Show), will host. Press conference will follow the crowning of the new queen.
Talented Teen Pageant, alongside MBUSA pageant, is Sunday, August 7 (5:00 pm) at the ARC Theatre in Washington, D.C.
Supporters can vote for their 2011 MBUSA People’s Choice: http://www.missblackusa.org/delegates.
Tickets to MBUSA Preliminary and Final competitions are available: http://www.missblackusa.org/shop
ABOUT MISS BLACK USA:
The Miss Black USA Pageant and Scholarship Foundation®, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3, founded in 1986 by Karen Arrington to provide educational opportunities to outstanding young women of color. For more info: www.missblackusa.org
SOCIALIZE WITH MISS BLACK USA:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MissBlackUsa
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MissBlackUsa
ABOUT CALGON:
Calgon is a complete line of bath and beauty products managed by Ilex Consumer Products Group. The Calgon brand launched in 1946 and in the 1960s became famous with their iconic tagline “Take Me Away!” which has become a widely known pop culture reference. In 2010, Calgon re-launched with 30 new products in the marketplace, giving the Calgon brand the widest range of specialty bath and basic bath products in the category. In June 2011, the brand introduced Ageless Bath and the Calgon Sensual Collection to its line. Calgon is sold at Wal-mart, Rite Aid, Dollar General, Kmart, Target and Kroger among other national retailers. Calgon products can also be found online at http://www.takemeaway.com