A Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) employee found a way to uplift others and quickly found success.
Angelica Smith, events manager, took a leap of faith last year with no prior pageant experience and entered the Petite USA competition. Her goal was to represent something greater than herself, she said.
“What started as a bold step outside of my comfort zone quickly turned into a life-changing experience,” Smith said.
Smith won the pageant and earned the chance to compete in the Ms. Universal Petite competition.
“Winning Ms. Petite USA was a powerful reminder that regardless of my background or size, I am capable of achieving anything I set my mind to,” Smith said. “It validated my faith, my preparation and years of perseverance.”
She said the event, held in Chicago, placed a strong emphasis on personal branding and platform development within the U.S. The competition consisted of preliminaries and finals, with contestants being judged in interview, swimwear and evening gown. Finalists repeated swimwear and evening gown, followed by an on-stage Q&A segment.
“Universal Petite, on the other hand, brought a global perspective, embracing cultural diversity, international diplomacy and world-class pageantry,” Smith said. “It was held over the course of a four-day Carnival cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, and offered a truly elevated experience.”
Smith said this competition included the interview and on-stage Q&A portion, but also included a judges’ gala, a private island photoshoot, swimwear and evening gown presentations.
“The level of production, preparation and poise required for the international stage was on a whole new level and demanded adaptability, confidence and presence at every moment,” she said.
Smith met the moment, claiming the crown of Ms. Universal Petite.
“It was a full-circle moment that affirmed my purpose and reminded me that my voice and presence are powerful enough to make a global impact,” she said.
Deciding to compete has been life changing, Smith said.
“This pageant system is truly amazing, it changed my life,” she said. “It’s one of the fastest-growing pageant systems in America, and through it, I found my voice, my confidence and a deeper sense of purpose.”
Her pageant titles have opened doors to speaking engagements, mentorship opportunities, brand collaborations and increased visibility for her personal development company, BeYOUnique Academy. She’s also been invited to serve as a judge, panelist and host for various events, and is often asked to speak on topics like confidence, branding and leadership.
She said her platform for both competitions was “Stature Does Not Determine Strength,” empowering individuals to embrace their uniqueness, build confidence and overcome limitations placed on them by society or self-doubt.
Her advice to aspiring participants of the Petite USA and Universal Petite competitions is to know who you are before you step on any stage.
“Lead with authenticity, prepare with excellence and never underestimate the power of your voice or story,” Smith said. “The crown is not just about beauty, it’s about purpose, presence and impact.”
Through this process, she’s learned that she’s stronger, more resilient and more capable than she ever gave herself credit for.
“I’ve also learned that vulnerability and authenticity are true superpowers,” Smith said.
A few life experiences helped shape her for the moment, she said.
“My journey has been shaped by years of showing up in rooms where I sometimes felt unseen or underestimated,” Smith said. “Navigating corporate spaces as a young Black woman and embracing leadership opportunities early on taught me how to own my voice.”
Serving as the senior class queen at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University royal court also helped prepare her.
“That role laid the foundation for how I walk in purpose today,” Smith said. “It taught me that being royalty isn’t about the crown: it’s about character, confidence and community.”
No matter the platform, Smith said it’s critical to uplift others in any way possible.
“Whether in pageantry, career or community, we have a responsibility to open doors, shift narratives and make space for the next generation of leaders,” she said.
