Rwanda is poised to be at the forefront of a global celebration with the announcement of the inaugural ‘Miss Black Festival.’ Set to bring together black women from around the world, the festival aims to celebrate their beauty, intelligence, and cultural richness. The event, announced on Thursday, February 15, seeks to amplify the voices of black women, advocating for greater representation and inspiring future generations through the celebration of their achievements, resilience, and aspirations.
Organized by Imanzi Ltd in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Arts, the festival is part of a broader commitment to education, philanthropy, and cultural awareness. The initiative is designed to create positive change and challenge the stereotypes associated with women of African descent. This movement follows in the footsteps of similar competitions like ‘Miss Black USA’ and ‘Miss Black France,’ providing a platform for participants to advance in global contests.
Chear Sebudwege, Assistant Director of Imanzi Ltd, highlighted the festival’s motivation, addressing the issue of black girls who may feel ashamed of their skin color and face barriers in competitions due to racial biases. “We aim to uplift their pride and values in their black skin color, providing a platform for recognition,” Sebudwege said.
Honorine Ruzigamanzi, Spokesperson of Imanzi Ltd, detailed the festival’s activities, which will include cultural exhibitions from various countries and performances by artists, among other engaging events.
The festival has set clear guidelines and criteria for participation to ensure a fair and transparent selection process. Applications opened on February 16 and will close on March 16, inviting black women aged 18 to 35, who are legally single and high school graduates from any origin. Participants are required to have projects that contribute to the global understanding of the black community and actively support the Pan African movement.
The audition process will begin virtually on March 23, with contestants undergoing detailed interviews to select 20 for the next stage. A second virtual audition on April 20 will narrow the field to 10 contestants for an in-person Boot Camp in Rwanda on May 20. This phase will acquaint participants with Rwanda’s advancements in security, governance, and tourism, culminating in a final event on May 25 that will feature cultural performances and discussions promoting the dignity of the black movement.
The grand finale will award substantial prizes, with the winner receiving USD 15,000, and the first and second runners-up receiving USD 5,000 each. These awards will provide the winners with opportunities to represent black women on a global stage, furthering the festival’s mission to celebrate and uplift black womanhood worldwide.
