Fighting back the tears as she spoke, Shadaje Johnson said she almost did not enter the 2015 Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant because she was afraid of what people might say.

Johnson, a family and consumer sciences major, soon overcame that fear, shedding her insecurities along with a black robe to reveal a rhinestone dress as she began pounding on her drums to Rae Sremmurd’s “No Type.”

Members of the crowd jumped out of their seats and waved their hands as they sang along.

With her brave conviction and style, Johnson won the 2015 crown of Miss Black and Gold and earned a $500 scholarship.

Hosted by the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, the 21st Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant consisted of three mini fashion segments, a talent competition and an eveningwear section with an impromptu question.

The pageant aims to promote women’s poise, confidence, communication and more.

“Thank God for believing in me; I’m so grateful and humbled,” Johnson said after being crowned.

Johnson said she plans to use her win to inspire others to fulfill their dreams.

Earlier, Johnson wore a cream-colored dress that stopped at her thighs with matching tan heels for the “After 5” segment of the night; she also wore a one-piece swimsuit with a shawl-like robe for the swimsuit portion. Many of the women danced lightly while modeling their designated outfits for each section.

Two other contestants won the titles of Miss Black and Miss Gold later that evening.

Miss Gold winner Ma’Chana Ambrose, a senior kinesiology major, performed a basketball skit during her talent portion and spoke about how she was seen as a tomboy as a child.

Her expression soon changed when she admitted she was molested at age 5 and did not realize what happened until she turned 12.

Ambrose said she turned to basketball to hide her pain and even felt suicidal for a time.

“For 10 years, the only thing that understood what I was going through was me and my basketball,” Ambrose said.

For the business-wear portion of the night, Ambrose wore tan pants with a white blouse sporting a green purse.

Maya Pitts, a senior psychology major who won the Miss Black title, wore a rhinestone gold leotard for her talent skit and spoke about overcoming doubt from others.

Earlier in the pageant, Pitts wore a black and white business suit with a black pencil skirt, blazer and a white blouse. She also donned a white dress with long sleeves and rhinestone cuffs with gold heels.

Pitts often volunteers in the community at food pantries and shelters. She is also the president of the National Association of Colored Women’s Club.

Many of the girls seemed to have put their entire being in the talent portion of the pageant, with one doing a praise dance while a slideshow of her family played behind.

Other contestants included Vonna Hayes, Aaliyah Gibbs, Kathryn McIntosh, Najah Lane, Javiera Green, Kim Vincent and Unique Henley.

Roberto Hodge can be reached at 581-2812 or rlhodge@eiu.edu.