Oceilia Gibson, from Dallas, Texas, was crowned Miss Black USA in ceremonies that took place Aug. 8 in D.C./Photo by Rob Roberts
Washington, D.C --Miss Black Texas, Oceilia Gibson, has been crowned Miss Black USA 2011 in ceremonies that took place Aug. 8 at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC.
Fifty of the most beautiful women in the nation competed for more than $20,000 in scholarships and prizes that included a new car.
The theme of this year's event was "Shades of Africa," celebrating the diversity of black women in America.
Gibson, 26, is the first Texan to capture the national title in the pageant's 24-year history. She has a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies and is pursuing a master's degree in divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Having earned numerous awards, Gibson, a Dallas native, was also one of Ebony's magazine Unsung Heroes in 2009.
The four finalists included Miss Black Delaware; Miss Black Pennsylvania ; Miss Black Alabama; and Miss Black New Jersey.