The annual Miss Black and Gold Pageant will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 24 in the Grand Ballroom at the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

The pageant, which is hosted by The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., will have six women competing for a $500 scholarship.

The winner of this competition will have the opportunity to compete in the district level competition, and then from there on to regionals and nationals.

“The more you win, the higher the scholarship,” said Kortney Lucius,  a junior pre-med biology major and coordinator of the pageant.

The women competing have been practicing for three months.

“People should come to the event because it really highlights women of empowerment,” Lucius said. “The girls work countless hours to put on the show and it really highlights the strength of women.”

Admission to the pageant is $9 and half the proceeds will go toward March of Dimes.

Doors will open at 7 p.m.

The news staff can be reached at 581-2812 

or dennewsdesk@eiu.edu.