For decades, pageantry has been a vibrant thread in the fabric of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), weaving together culture, leadership, and community engagement. What began as modest beauty contests within campus organizations has blossomed into grand celebrations that captivate entire school communities, offering a stage to showcase intellect, talent, and ambition alongside beauty.
At Florida A&M University (FAMU), the FAMU Chapter of Progressive Black Men, Incorporated (PBM) hosts their annual Miss Progressive Black Men Scholarship Pageant—a dazzling event steeped in beauty and elegance. This celebration transcended the concept of a mere competition, spotlighting leadership, academic excellence, and an enduring commitment to service, all hallmarks of HBCU pageantry.
HBCU scholarship pageants are far more than glitzy productions; they are platforms for empowerment and self-expression. Every segment of the event is carefully curated to highlight the contestants’ diverse skills and aspirations. From an electrifying opening performance designed to energize the crowd, to poised self-introductions that reflect personal purpose, the contestants captivate at every turn. Business attire segments showcase professional aspirations, while the talent portion allows students to reveal their unique gifts. In the final question-and-answer segment, contestants articulate their visions for leadership and service, offering a glimpse into their campus contributions and future ambitions.
Months of preparation go into perfecting these moments. Contestants train rigorously under the guidance of creative directors, coordinators, and past royal court members who are committed to preserving the pageant’s legacy. Their mentorship ensures each participant shines on stage, contributing to the polished and heartfelt atmosphere that defines these events.
The crowning moment serves as the evening’s pinnacle—a celebration of achievement, resilience, and the enduring spirit of HBCU traditions. The newly crowned winners are more than titleholders; they become ambassadors of leadership and service, embodying the values their institutions hold dear.
Events like the Miss Progressive Black Men Scholarship Pageant underscore the profound role pageantry plays in HBCU culture. These platforms empower students to engage deeply with their communities, advocate for meaningful causes, and carry forward a legacy of excellence and service.
“HBCU pageant culture undoubtedly makes you strive for better. Being surrounded by so many intelligent and talented women, you have no choice but to dig deep and put your best foot forward. The Miss Progressive Black Men, Inc. scholarship pageant has opened my eyes in various ways that I never would have imagined… That itself is a beautiful sight to view, breaking the competitive stereotype of the black woman!” said Nikiyah Brown, newly crowned 2025-2026 Miss Progressive Black Men, Inc. HBCU pageants are grounded in cultivating relationships between students seeking to showcase the best versions of themselves. Truly the embodiment of black excellence at its finest.
FAMU PBM chapter member and 24th Mister Florida A&M University, Devin Nobles was a member of this year’s pageant committee and has been for the past two years. “The [white] beauty standards, what they were judged on and the thought process of judges in national pageantry did not fit the black woman. When HBCU’S started the tradition to create our own royal courts back in 1906…it created space for black beauty to be appreciated and loved on, and I think that pageants today continue to uphold that space.”
In the rich tapestry of HBCU life, pageants like these are shining examples of how tradition and innovation come together to celebrate identity, foster leadership, and inspire future generations.