Say hello to Mr. and Miss Black Pride International 2026
Rhinestones, glitter, sequins, a plethora of feathers, and the best lip-syncing performances in Harlem were all featured at the fifth annual Mr. and Miss Black Pride International pageant on Aug. 21 From Aug. 19 to Aug. 23, the 29th annual edition of NYC Black Pride featured a conference on human rights, an awards ceremony honoring … Read More
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Rhinestones, glitter, sequins, a plethora of feathers, and the best lip-syncing performances in Harlem were all featured at the fifth annual Mr. and Miss Black Pride International pageant on Aug. 21
From Aug. 19 to Aug. 23, the 29th annual edition of NYC Black Pride featured a conference on human rights, an awards ceremony honoring advocates in the LGBTQ+ space, a latex ball, several parties giving queer individuals “the freedom to just be,” and the recently-created pageant conceived by Lee Soulja, executive director of NYC Black Pride since 2009.
“Pageantry has really faded out of New York. Most of the girls or the trans women or drag performers that want to participate in any of the major pageants tend to have to go to another place and compete,” Soulja said about his decision to establish Mr. & Miss Black Pride in 2022. “ I'm always making sure that there's visibility and that Black Pride is inclusive.”
On Aug. 21, 10 competitors gave face, personality and fabulosity, with six participants in the Mr. category, four in the Miss, and the hilarious and elegant hostess Harmonica Sunbeam as master of ceremonies.
“Are you here for the pageant or bible study?” Sunbeam joked as audience members trickled into the space at the Renaissance Hotel on 125th Street.
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Harmonica Sunbeam was the MC extraordinaire at this year's Mr. and Miss Black Pride International pageant.Photo by ET Rodriguez[/caption]
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The crowd rose to their feet as Empress Vizcaya entered with her elaborate presentation wear.Photo by ET Rodriguez[/caption]
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Empress Vizcaya wowed the crowd with her elaborate outfit for the presentation category. Photo by ET Rodriguez[/caption]
Contestants were judged in five categories: a private group interview, swimwear, evening wear, talent, a Q&A, and a non-judged category for presentation where Empress Vizcaya stole the show. With all the regalness of her name, Vizcaya sauntered into the room with an ankle-length white dress covered in rhinestones, a black and gold feathered corset that extended into white feathers like wings, and an elaborate golden headpiece with dropping gems that had the room on their feet. In addition to the crowning titles, winners were also announced in their respective categories, with Nouvelle Orleans winning the Q&A when he was asked who he looks up to and why.
" My mother," he said. "She was always courageous, she was always independent, and she always raised us to be gentlemen. I have three brothers, and she taught us one thing: we always should do good, better, best, never let it rest, for your good is better and your better is best."
Performers entertained the audience as contestants prepared for the next categories, but it was Octavia Anyae, Miss Black Pride International 2025, who turned the humble hotel conference room into church. As she sang “Here’s Where I Stand” from the 2003 musical film “CAMP,” harkening sounds of gospel, dozens of people lined up with money in their hands and thoughtfully placed it in Anyae's in some sort of new-age communion.
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Tina Twirler got down on the floor with her performance of "Stand Up," giving her the win in the talent category and also tied for swim wear with Morgan Royale. ET Rodriguez[/caption]
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Kendoll Keante won the talent portion of the pageant with his performance of "Best Part," originally sung by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R.ET Rodriguez[/caption]
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Audience members, even the judges and contestants, lined up to shower Octavia Anyae with money as she performed the gospel-like song, "Here's Where I Stand." ET Rodriguez[/caption]
The second place runner-ups each received $500, first place runner-ups received $1000 and the crowning winners each received $2000 in addition to a black and brown jeweled necklace, a sash, a crown and the responsibilities attached to the Mr. and Miss Black Pride International title. Winners do not only enjoy the honor of being crowned, but must also promote all Black Pride events on their social media, recruit candidates for further pageants, and attend certain community service events.
Kendoll Keante, who has been in the pageant circuit for more than 20 years, was crowned Mr. Black Pride International and takes his role seriously.
“ It's our job as the entertainers, when we have these platforms, to help to kind of siphon through the mess and give the real details so that people understand where we are and what's actually occurring,” he said. “If we don't do our due diligence, especially in this midterm election, with everything that's going on politically right now, then we may be in a situation where we no longer have these spaces to enjoy.”
Under the presidency of Donald Trump, transgender people are unable to serve in the military, transgender women are moved into men’s prisons, and gender markers on government documents are restricted to either male or female, in addition to several other executive orders against trans people. Keante recalled a specific incident where a friend of his, a transgender woman, was heartbroken when her renewed passport listed her as male.
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All 10 contestants lined up as they waited to hear the winners announced. ET Rodriguez[/caption]
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As Empress Vizcaya was announced Miss Black Pride International, fellow contestant Morgan Royale applauded her with sincere joy. ET Rodriguez[/caption]
The title of Miss Pride Black International went to Empress Vizcaya who was overcome with emotion when her drag daughter, Anyae, the current Miss Black Pride International, placed the crown on her head.
“She said, ‘I want to crown my mom’ and I'm like, ‘no, no, no, not me.’ She’s my baby” Vizcaya said, who affectionately refers to Anyae as her Sour Patch Kid.
After five hours of competition, the party wasn’t over as everyone rushed to make it to the afterparty at Harbor NYC in Hell’s Kitchen. However, the key takeaway of Black Pride is to highlight inclusivity and a history of Black queer individuals often left out of the narrative.
According to Soulja, it wasn’t until the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots when the NYC Pride parade recognized Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson as trailblazers of the movement. Both were LGBTQ+ activists in a time where trans lives were criminalized, with Johnson being donned “The Saint of Christopher Street” for her work on visibility and awareness.
“ Black Pride is not a Black versus white thing. I'm really clear about that, but it doesn't make you racist to uplift and celebrate your culture,” Soulja added.
Harmonica Sunbeam was the MC extraordinaire at this year's Mr. and Miss Black Pride International pageant.Photo by ET Rodriguez[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_64728" align="aligncenter" width="700"] The crowd rose to their feet as Empress Vizcaya entered with her elaborate presentation wear.Photo by ET Rodriguez[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_64731" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Empress Vizcaya wowed the crowd with her elaborate outfit for the presentation category. Photo by ET Rodriguez[/caption]
Contestants were judged in five categories: a private group interview, swimwear, evening wear, talent, a Q&A, and a non-judged category for presentation where Empress Vizcaya stole the show. With all the regalness of her name, Vizcaya sauntered into the room with an ankle-length white dress covered in rhinestones, a black and gold feathered corset that extended into white feathers like wings, and an elaborate golden headpiece with dropping gems that had the room on their feet. In addition to the crowning titles, winners were also announced in their respective categories, with Nouvelle Orleans winning the Q&A when he was asked who he looks up to and why.
" My mother," he said. "She was always courageous, she was always independent, and she always raised us to be gentlemen. I have three brothers, and she taught us one thing: we always should do good, better, best, never let it rest, for your good is better and your better is best."
Performers entertained the audience as contestants prepared for the next categories, but it was Octavia Anyae, Miss Black Pride International 2025, who turned the humble hotel conference room into church. As she sang “Here’s Where I Stand” from the 2003 musical film “CAMP,” harkening sounds of gospel, dozens of people lined up with money in their hands and thoughtfully placed it in Anyae's in some sort of new-age communion.
[caption id="attachment_64721" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Tina Twirler got down on the floor with her performance of "Stand Up," giving her the win in the talent category and also tied for swim wear with Morgan Royale. ET Rodriguez[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_64732" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Kendoll Keante won the talent portion of the pageant with his performance of "Best Part," originally sung by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R.ET Rodriguez[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_64730" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Audience members, even the judges and contestants, lined up to shower Octavia Anyae with money as she performed the gospel-like song, "Here's Where I Stand." ET Rodriguez[/caption]
The second place runner-ups each received $500, first place runner-ups received $1000 and the crowning winners each received $2000 in addition to a black and brown jeweled necklace, a sash, a crown and the responsibilities attached to the Mr. and Miss Black Pride International title. Winners do not only enjoy the honor of being crowned, but must also promote all Black Pride events on their social media, recruit candidates for further pageants, and attend certain community service events.
Kendoll Keante, who has been in the pageant circuit for more than 20 years, was crowned Mr. Black Pride International and takes his role seriously.
“ It's our job as the entertainers, when we have these platforms, to help to kind of siphon through the mess and give the real details so that people understand where we are and what's actually occurring,” he said. “If we don't do our due diligence, especially in this midterm election, with everything that's going on politically right now, then we may be in a situation where we no longer have these spaces to enjoy.”
Under the presidency of Donald Trump, transgender people are unable to serve in the military, transgender women are moved into men’s prisons, and gender markers on government documents are restricted to either male or female, in addition to several other executive orders against trans people. Keante recalled a specific incident where a friend of his, a transgender woman, was heartbroken when her renewed passport listed her as male.
[caption id="attachment_64723" align="aligncenter" width="700"] All 10 contestants lined up as they waited to hear the winners announced. ET Rodriguez[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_64729" align="aligncenter" width="700"] As Empress Vizcaya was announced Miss Black Pride International, fellow contestant Morgan Royale applauded her with sincere joy. ET Rodriguez[/caption]
The title of Miss Pride Black International went to Empress Vizcaya who was overcome with emotion when her drag daughter, Anyae, the current Miss Black Pride International, placed the crown on her head.
“She said, ‘I want to crown my mom’ and I'm like, ‘no, no, no, not me.’ She’s my baby” Vizcaya said, who affectionately refers to Anyae as her Sour Patch Kid.
After five hours of competition, the party wasn’t over as everyone rushed to make it to the afterparty at Harbor NYC in Hell’s Kitchen. However, the key takeaway of Black Pride is to highlight inclusivity and a history of Black queer individuals often left out of the narrative.
According to Soulja, it wasn’t until the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots when the NYC Pride parade recognized Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson as trailblazers of the movement. Both were LGBTQ+ activists in a time where trans lives were criminalized, with Johnson being donned “The Saint of Christopher Street” for her work on visibility and awareness.
“ Black Pride is not a Black versus white thing. I'm really clear about that, but it doesn't make you racist to uplift and celebrate your culture,” Soulja added. 
