The Miss America pageant has a complex history with regards to Black contestants. The pageant was originally segregated, with African American women barred from participating for many years. It wasn't until 1970 that Cheryl Browne broke the color barrier and became the first Black contestant to compete in the Miss America pageant.

In 1983, Vanessa Williams made history by becoming the first African American woman to be crowned Miss America. However, her reign was marred by controversy when nude photos of her surfaced, leading to her resignation. Despite this setback, Vanessa Williams went on to have a successful career in acting and music.

Since Vanessa Williams' historic win, several other Black women have been crowned Miss America, including Suzette Charles in 1984, Debbye Turner in 1990, and most recently, Nia Franklin in 2019.

While progress has been made in terms of diversity in the Miss America pageant, there is still room for improvement in terms of representation and inclusivity. Black women continue to make their mark in the world of pageantry and beyond, breaking down barriers and shattering stereotypes along the way.