Bread Hits the Beauty Circuit

Bread for the World is going somewhere a little different this October: the runway of the Miss Black Illinois U.S.A. Pageant. Tanya August, a 2012 delegate, will highlight the problems of hunger and poverty within the African-American community by using Bread as her platform.

After a visit to Guatemala, August became deeply concerned about combating hunger on all levels. She became interested in Bread because of the broad range of poverty issues we cover—both internationally and domestically. Bread’s strong focus on African-Americans and hunger sealed the deal for August.

“I am excited to be able to choose your organization as my platform,” said August. “Hopefully through my journey, we can spread the grim truth about hunger and poverty within the world—and, unfortunately, in our very own backyard. Optimistically, we can empower others to take the same just stance.”

The Miss Black U.S.A. Foundation is committed to health and education within the African-American community. The pageant’s winners then use the influence they hold during their reigns to promote awareness of these issues.

August will dedicate her volunteering and work toward the Miss Black Illinois crown to educating people in her state about hunger and various ways to help alleviate it. She hopes to inform people about the issues and inspire them to act on behalf of those living in poverty in our country.

August is an example of the foundation’s emphasis on the academic achievement of its contestants. A strong student, she is currently working toward a master’s degree in clinical professional psychology at Roosevelt University in Chicago. She is looking forward to her journey toward the crown in Illinois, and, hopefully, at the national level. Bread wishes her the best of luck!

Shannon Cummings is a media relations intern at Bread for the World.