Dinwiddie native named Miss Black Virginia USA

Crystal L. Bailey, 24, was crowned Miss Black Virginia USA on Nov. 29 in Danville at the North Theatre.

Bailey is a third-year law student at the College of William & Mary's School of Law and is a native of Dinwiddie County.

During her reign, Bailey will inform Virginia's youth of the rewards and benefits of participating in the performing arts. "The arts give our youth the impetus to think outside of the box, which is essential to our nation's progress," she said.

The Miss Black Virginia Pageant is the official preliminary competition of the Miss Black USA organization, a national scholastic-pageant competition sponsored by acclaimed actor, producer and director Tyler Perry.

The organization provides educational opportunities for young women of color and develops the mind, body and spirit.

The Miss Black Virginia Pageant will award annual scholarships to the title holder, and to the top three contestants. This year's Miss Black Virginia Pageant was held to select Virginia's representative to the National Miss Black USA Pageant to be held in Washington in June.

The recent Miss Black Virginia Pageant included a week of activities ranging from a community-service project to participating in a television program in Danville.