Success Stories The Muse, The Motivator, The Messenger
 Deya Smith – Deya Smith-Starks - a former “Miss Black USA” 1994 was named as one of Ebony Magazines "Future Leaders 30 and Under” and recently toured along with fitness guru Donna Richardson and Nikki Giovanni in the “Patene Total You Tour.” This writer, political and social commentator, actress and motivational speaker is a graduate of Howard University. Deya represented the state of Connecticut in the 1994 Miss Black USA Pageant. Not only did she walk away with the coveted title of "Miss Black USA" 1994 and a $5,000 scholarship, she also won the Performing Arts Award and an additional $2,500 scholarship. Deya is Owner and Creative Director of Muse Creative Services, based in Los Angeles, CA. Deya took her destiny to the next level, creating hot, fresh, and in your face short-form radio programming - - “DEYA DIRECT!,” CommentRary for your heart, mind and soul. “DEYA DIRECT!” an unprecedented entertaining style of commentary, tackles today’s critical issues while inspiring personal, social, spiritual and civic responsibility. “DEYA DIRECT!” can be heard several times a day on XM Satellite Radio’s The POWER, Channel 169; and as a feature with the nationally syndicated program “On the Phone with Ti-Rone and on WAOK in Atlanta.” "DEYA DIRECT!" is also featured as a weekly column on www.EURweb.com. ......................................................................  Dawn Moss - the former "Miss Black USA" 1996 and Camden, New Jersey native quickly moved up the ladder of success. A former high school track and field, field hockey and basketball star, Dawn earned a full basketball scholarship to Morgan State University. While still attending college, she funded her own mini-market and became an inner city entrepreneur. She later served as producer of the CNN 1010 program "Going Global."
Dawn is currently the Co-host/Eecutive Producer for Baltimore Channel 2 ABC show "See America." She is also a writer and marketing representative for "da Book" Magazine, a new national hair and beauty publication, and a former executive marketing director for Lance London, President and CEO of Mega-1 Network and Carolina Kitchen in Largo, Maryland. Detetmined to give back to her community, Dawn now serves as volunteer for Abundant Harvest Catering at Bethany Baptist Church in Gibbsboro, NJ. Not giving up her love for sports, Dawn is also a consulting executive for Rivers Capital Investment Firm, a multi-media company that services Health & Wellness initiatives, Youth Sports, and Education, under the direction of Basketball Legend David Rives. This multitalented vocalist, professional model, actress, and motivational speaker receives accolades and standing ovations whenever she speaks. Her message and delivery combine to create a charasmatic appeal, that often mesmerizes and always inspires her audiences. ...................................................................... SHADES OF KEMBA  Kemba Cofield – “Shades of Kemba” is the new CD just released by former “Miss Black Kentucky” Kemba Cofield. Growing up in Frankfort, KY, she sang in talent shows, beauty pageants, musicals and church. After seeing Sarah Vaughan perform at the age of 9, she developed a love for jazz and began to sing it. Jazz band in high schools and college served as her training ground, but it wasn’t until she moved to Atlanta, Georgia that her real opportunity came. Former Freddy Cole drummer, Bernard Linnette, heard Kemba sing during the Tuesday night jam session at a local jazz club and was impressed by her voice. Kemba soon began gigging with his sextet and Linnette became her mentor. She taught chorus and piano lessons to high school students during the day, absorbing jazz during the night, and while working on her Masters in Music Education on summer breaks.
The hard work is proven on her forthcoming album, Shades of Kemba. She moves through traditional standards with a comfortable ease, while displaying great control and patience with the texture of a tune on moodier numbers. Jazz’s New Orleans roots shine through as Wycliffe Gordon leads an all star ensemble in When Saints Go Marching In and the commitment to her gospel roots are strongly expressed in I Want Jesus to Walk With Me. The three original tunes on the album, written by emerging composer, William Herriott, are easily new classics. When Kemba sings, there is a soulfulness that wraps itself around the song. She reminds us that music transforms and the essence of jazz transcends. To check out the CD click here. ..................................................................... Kia Talein Anderson - has been taking care of business since she won the title of “Miss Black Maryland USA” 1993. As Miss Black Maryland, Kia performed at stellar events and competitions including the national Miss Black USA Pageant where she placed as 1st Runner-Up. After competing in this national Miss Black USA Pageant, Kia was signed as the female vocalist with national R&B recording artists Atlantic Starr. Since opening her own recording studio, Kia has been in and out of the studio and recently released a gospel CD. Using the gifts she once used to win pageants, Kia is using her gospel music to inspire others. Kia was featured as the up and coming gospel artist on the Candi Staton show “Say Yes”, on TBN. She has also been blessed to minister in David Talbert’s gospel stage play “What Goes Around Comes Around”, Toni Foreman’s gospel musical stage play ”Thy Kingdom Come”, which she recorded the Compact Disc Soundtrack “Thy Kingdom Come.” She was featured on “We Need to Hear from You,” a song from the Compact Disc Brandon Broadnax & Co., a Washington, DC gospel group. Kia credits the Miss Black USA Pageant with helping to transform her life and feels especially proud to inspire other young women, and help them realize their dreams. This Washingtonian native is on a spiritual crusade
...................................................................... THE POWER OF A WOMAN  Ezina Moore - "Miss Black USA" 1989 just released her "Power of A Woman" CD. Ezina, not to be out done by the boys in the band, she wields a left-handed Paul Reed Smith custom 22 guitar. No girlie folk singer here. Just a rockin' sista from the hood paying homage to Jimi Hendrix, Patti Labelle, Prince and Rick James. Where did this force of life come from? This woman is a descendent from Cherokee and Creole stock - which means movie directors have no idea what to do with her. Ezina Moore has also been known as Leslie Elizabeth Waddell; and in that guise became Miss Black USA. Musically, she is the daughter of the belated resurgence of Funk Rock, which migrated to her in Michigan on the down-low through cousins in Chicago. Until then, Detroit radio dictated her musical taste and fed her with Patti Labelle, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and her uncle, Bobby Womack. To check out the "Power of a Woman" click here.
......................................................................  Sarena Mobley – a former “Miss Black North Carolina USA” is a professional model and actress. The former "Jet" beauty of the week is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University. Sarena has appeared on the big screen and on the pages of Ebony Magazine. Sarena currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.
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 Valorie Burton – a former “Miss Black Texas USA” is the former co-host and co-producer of T.D. Jakes “The Potter’s Touch” aired weekdays on TBN. Valorie is author of “Rich Minds, Rich Rewards” published by Random House.
...................................................................... Carmen Elly – a former “Miss Black Illinois USA 1987” is a successful film director based in Los Angeles, CA. A graduate of Xavier University and the New York Film Institutute, Carmen is a graduate of Bill Cosby’s 2002 Screenwriters Fellowship. |
Former Miss Black USA contestants and winners are paving new ground in every major arena. Find out what our former contestants are doing now. 
