Meet Tamieko Foster of Miss Black Pasadena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamieko Foster.

Tamieko, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey started in elementary school. I was obsessed with watching everyone’s ponytail swing around on the playground, while mine (of course as a little Black girl there were at least four at all times) just sat stiff. This of course was my fuel to learn how to do my own hair, which led me to start doing hair for friends and family, which today has landed me with 12+ years in the beauty industry! But as we all know, a hair appointment is more than a just an opportunity to curl, it is in fact a therapy session! I have countless women in my chair share their stories with me. The highs, the lows, the heartbreak, and even honeymoon photos. And what did all these women have in common.. they just wanted to feel beautiful.

It was in my mid 20s that I realized there was something more than effortless curls I was to give back to these women and girls. God has put me here to give confidence. And much less give, but to uncover what was there all along, but just needed a deep clean and a little ironing out. When I thought back to the most sensitive time in my life when I really decided who I was going to be. It was that 16/17 range. This was when I was fragile. I needed all the encouragement, and affirmation I could get and didn’t seem to find much in a nontraditional household. It has been my life mission to be that encourager and cheerleader foray young girl out there who may be in need and can’t find it.

Miss Black Pasadena is a mentor and scholarship pageant, which seeks to provide a safe space for Black girls to shine authentically and unapologetically. Miss Black Pasadena emerged out of a pursuit to continuously include Black women and culture in conversations of beauty and elite achievement. Our mission is to inspire these young women and foster a community that is dedicated to promoting an atmosphere of belonging and support. I am here to affirm every girl who may be second guessing herself because her ponytail may not swing like everyone else. I am here to uncover what is already on the inside of these young ladies. True beauty.

Has it been a smooth road?
This road has been perfectly imperfect. This mission was placed on my heart and it took me while to have enough courage to put myself out there! It’s like unveiling a piece of artwork for the first time, you rip the curtain with one eye open and pray everyone loves it! but during this process so many things were falling in my lap, I just knew God was guiding me every step of the way. It brought a different level of confidence knowing there was no such thing as failure because I knew my simple obedience to this calling was a job well done. One of the things that was tested was my ability to face conflict head on! you don’t deal with much conflict when you’re standing over someone’s head with a hot curling iron or a pair of scissors!everyone loves their hairstylist. But being thrown into this new leadership role was… challenging. I am grateful seeing my own personal growth after just one year, to witness the woman I will be five years from now, ten years from now! Michelle Obama better watch out! 🙂

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Miss Black Pasadena – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
A first of its kind, the Miss Black Pasadena Mentor and Scholarship program was created to crown the culture and provide a space for Black girls to shine unapologetically. Through a series of workshops, mentoring sessions, and pageant showcase, we will empower these young women by celebrating their beauty, cultivating their leadership skills, and reaffirming their role as change agents in our local community and abroad. We aim to honor the uniqueness of African American culture while uplifting the entire landscape of Pasadena. As we highlight the importance of self-improvement, we will also celebrate the importance of sisterhood and commitment to our community.

With a vision to inspire the next generation of amazing Black women, I have used my 12+ years in the beauty industry to create Miss Black Pasadena. This program serves as an opportunity to merge my love for outer beauty and aesthetics and pair it with a focus on inner beauty and personal development. As a mother of two, I hope to set a standard of excellence for my children, Malachi and Jada.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I like most about Pasadena is the charm. It is close enough to get to the congested LA lifestyle, but far enough to enjoy peaceful moments with family and friends.

What I like least about Pasadena, is the rising housing rates which are displacing a lot of generational families. Of course, this is happening all over the country and its so unfortunate.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.missblackpasadena.com
• Email: info@missblackpasadena
• Instagram: instagram.com/missblackpasadena
• Facebook: facebook.com/missblackpasadena

Image Credit:
Walter Buchanan

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.