Anguilla-born Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers became the first Black woman to be crowned Miss Universe Great Britain in the 66-year history of the pageant, reports The Voice. The law school graduate will go on to participate on behalf of Great Britain at the Miss Universe pageant later this year.
The 25-year-old is the reigning queen of Anguilla, which is a British territory. Kentish-Rogers told Buzzfeed, “I think it’s really humbling and I think it’s also a privilege for me to become the first Black woman who is crowned Miss Universe Great Britain.”
https://twitter.com/AsToldBy_Dee/status/1018805410659274754
She continued: “I believe that this is the direction that the pageant has been going in for the last couple of years because Britain is a diverse nation, we are a multicultural society and it is time that diversity is seen on a stage where other young Black girls and girls of all ethnicities can see that this is something for everybody not just some of us.”
Kentish-Rogers recently passed the bar exam and is expecting a call from the bar association within the near future.
Paula Abbandonato, the national director for Miss Universe Great Britain, said in a statement, “I am absolutely delighted that Dee-Ann has won the title this year. I took over this role in 2008, and I can honestly say there is no better gift than having our first Black winner to celebrate 10 years in the job.” Speaking on Kentish-Rogers Abbandonato said she believed Great Britain has a shot at taking home the crown at the Miss Universe pageant.
