Meet Ms. Black Louisiana Empowerment

The owner of Heiress International and founder of Sistars of Empowerment, Nadia Francois, is no stranger to SwagHer Magazine. We’ve featured this Baton Rouge  native,  mother of four sons, and  jack of all trades with a heart of gold, several times before but  recently she was crowned Ms. Black Louisiana Empowerment, so we had to do a follow up.

Fancy: What sparked your interest in the Ms. Black Louisiana Empowerment Pageant? 

Nadia: I’ve always been interested in pageantry, which is why I created one for youth, but I became interested in competing myself after being involved in the pageant world. I was a mentor for another pageant system for a few years and that allowed me to see the ins and outs of the pageant world for adults, and I absolutely loved it. I loved the thought of working my platform all over the state.

Fancy: What are some of the requirements for contestants?

Nadia: Contestants are required to create a platform to represent throughout your reign including community events and outreach projects. They’re also required to attend Pageant Workshop Weekend which is pretty much the queen boot camp. Contestants are required to obtain sponsorships, gain support from family and followers to help contestants through the process, and compete in a few categories including talent, fun fashion, and fitness as well.

Fancy:  What was your platform?                                                                                           

Nadia: My platform is Walk in Purpose where I inspire, empower, and educate women to reach their full potential by walking in purpose on purpose.

Fancy: Can you describe how you felt when you discovered you won?

Nadia: I was overwhelmed with happiness and a feeling of accomplishment.  Then reality set in that it was time to work my platform across the state.

Fancy: What was the crowning ceremony like?

Nadia: The crowning ceremony was on a Carnival cruise ship, where we sailed from the port of New Orleans to Cozumel and Progresso, Mexico. It was amazing. The support received from the group that came with us and from those that were cruising for their enjoyment was astonishing.  We had two  days of actual competition followed by the crowning.

Fancy: What has changed since your crowning?

Nadia: Since my crowning, I have begun planning for my community events and outreach. I will host a clothing drive for professional clothing for women seeking jobs and may not have the wardrobe. This event is called Professional Women Win and will take place in March during Women’s Empowerment Week. During that week, I will also host a workshop called Align Your Vision which is the follow up to a vision board experience that will help women align their vision with their lifestyle and purpose.

Fancy: What do you plan to do now that you are Ms. Black Louisiana Empowerment?

Nadia: I plan to continue pursuing my personal mission and my platform of empowering women throughout Louisiana and to expand it to all women across the world.

Fancy: What have you taken away from this experience thus far?

Nadia: So far, I have gained more self confidence, motivation, and drive to continue my works in bringing unity, empowerment, and knowledge to all women.

View the photo below to learn more about the Miss Black Empowerment.