MELYNDA Smith, 24, was adjudged Miss Emancipation Queen 2019 over five other delegates at the National Cultural Centre on Saturday evening.

It was a night of empowerment for people of African descent, as the young women delivered with confidence and highlighted uncelebrated aspects of the African history.

This year, the pageant was themed “Recolouring culture in all shades” and the delegates were tasked with presenting an original spoken word on colourism, in addition to the other competitive segments such as the African business wear, evening cultural gown and on-stage interview on African history.

The delegates this year were an exceptional career-driven bunch who delivered a show that will be remembered; one that promoted the African culture and made efforts to stomp out colourism in society.

It was a challenging job for the judges to cut down to the top four as Marissa Scott, Denita Prowell, Shanelly Lashley, Alieca James, Alicia Joy Boodie and Melynda Smith brought the heat.

However, Prowell won the prize for the best project and became an automatic entry into the top four. She was followed by her People’s Choice Award partner, Scott, then Boodie and Smith followed in the top four announcement.

After being asked the final two-part question, the judges deemed Smith the overall African Queen.

The first runner-up spot was given to Prowell; the second runner-up place went to Boodie while Scott was placed third.

In conversation with the queen, she told the Guyana Chronicle that she feels honoured and blessed to have been chosen as queen, since, she said, all the girls were beautiful and very intelligent.

Her entering the pageant was as a result of the foundation her family set. Smith said her family always instilled in her that it is a blessing to be African and she grew up with the confidence and proudness of who she is.

To this end, she believes that she can make a tremendous contribution to empowering people of African descent in Guyana, with her new title.

Smith plans on using her platform to bring light to African history, and try to combat challenges of colourism, starting from the home.

It is also within her agenda, to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to reform the history aspect of the education system.

“I plan to get the school restructure how they teach African history. Have them not start our history from slavery, but rather from the Egyptian, Moors’ and Malian civilisation. So that we can let the young people know that their ancestors were kings and queens, and that education comes from Egyptian civilisation. Let them know, that to be Black, is an honour only few of us are given,” the queen said.

Smith has a Diploma in Communication from the University of Guyana, and is currently pursuing her degree in the said programme. She also has certificates in youth empowerment and business administration.