[Teen Vogue] This Pageant Exposes One MAJOR Problem with Beauty Queens

In Columbia, South Carolina, two girlbosses had the idea to start a different kind of pageant — one focused on girls with natural, textured hair. The pageant began as a fundraising venture for a natural hair beauty boutique the two plan to launch, but it slowly turned into much, much more.

Since the Naturally Crowned Pageant, founded by Jessica Boyd and Maureen Ochola, launched in 2013, it has awarded over $10,000 in scholarships and entrepreneurial experience to its natural-haired contestants.

With its age range of 19-30 and contestants with occupations in teaching, military, and motherhood, this pageant purposely strays from the norm, including girls who may not have a chance to partake in other pageants.