These reigning beauty queens prove that black is beautiful in every shade

This year has been great for black women, especially for those in the pageant industry.

For the first time in history, black women clinched the ultimate prizes in five major beauty pageants – Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss America and Miss World.

It all started after New Yorker, Nia Franklin was crowned Miss America in 2018, with many suggesting that her victory set the tone for what would be a historic year for beautiful black women.  

RELATED STORIES

Curaçao, the hurricane-free Caribbean island is a must-visit vacation destination, here’s why

Meet 22-year-old Nija Charles; the "secret weapon" of Beyoncé and Cardi B

A look at Puerto Rico's coqui frogs, the Caribbean island's national symbol

Meet the fitness model who walked with his artificial heart in a backpack

The latest is 23-year old Toni-Ann Singh from Jamaica who was crowned Miss World 2019 on Saturday evening. Singh’s win comes less than a week after 26-year-old Zozibini Tunzi from South Africa was crowned the winner of Miss Universe 2019.

Off the back of her victory, Face2Face Africa casts the spotlight on the growing group of black women making history as reigning champions of major pageants.