Meet Sydney Virginia J.D. of Miss Black California USA 2019

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Virginia, J.D.

Sydney Virginia, J.D. is a native of Annapolis, MD and obtained her B.A. in both Sociology and Journalism from Hofstra University in 2015. Sydney moved to California to pursue law school and obtained her Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law in May of 2018. She was selected as Miss Black California USA 2019 in September and plans to use her title to promote her passion of racial justice.

Her platform is to bring awareness to the racism embedded in the U.S. justice system, specifically against African Americans. She plans to work with and support organizations who primarily focus on restoring the rights of disenfranchised black and brown individuals and organizations that are centered on mending our broken criminal justice system. She will compete for the National Miss Black USA title in August of 2019 in Washington, D.C.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Because this is my first pageant, it has been a huge learning curve. But learning how a pageant works and how it is like a small sisterhood with the other state title holders have been pleasant surprises. We all help each other because we all have strengths and weaknesses in this process.

We’d love to hear more about your organization.
The Miss Black USA organization is the first and oldest scholarship pageant for women of color. It was created to empower women to own their power and celebrate their unique talents, traits, and beauty. Miss Black USA defines her own standard of beauty and celebrates the whole woman: mind, body and spirit, all shades of brown, hair texture and size.

As Miss Black California, my platform is focused on Racial Injustice. California has the second largest prison population in the country and it disproportionately affects black and brown individuals. I hope to bring awareness to the racism embedded in the U.S. justice system. Specifically against African Americans. Did you know that Black women are incarcerated at a rate nearly three times higher than white women and Black men are nearly six times as likely to be incarcerated as white men. This racism leads to African Americans losing fundamental rights as Americans and a majority are lost from nonviolent offenses and the inability for some to afford cash bails while they await trial. With my title, I plan to work with and support organizations who primarily focus on restoring the rights of disenfranchised black and brown people and organizations that are centered on mending our broken criminal justice system.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I always wanted to be a lawyer. I have always been a very ambitious person and I overachieved. I played basketball. I was social. I’ve also always been a leader.

Pricing:

• GoFundMe Donations to get me to nationals! $1 https://www.gofundme.com/MissBlackCAUSA19

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gofundme.com/MissBlackCAUSA19
• Email: MissBlackCAUSA2019@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydvirginia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missblackcaliforniausa2018/
• Other: https://cash.app/$sydvirginia

Image Credit:
Kasey Stokes

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