The Miss America pageant has a complex history with issues of race and representation. The first Black woman to compete in the Miss America pageant was Norma Quarles in 1970. She was Miss Mississippi and made history by breaking the racial barrier in the competition.

In 1983, Vanessa Williams became the first African American woman to win the Miss America title. However, her reign was marred by controversy when Penthouse magazine published unauthorized nude photos of her, leading to her resignation as Miss America. Despite this setback, Vanessa Williams went on to have a successful career in entertainment.

Since then, several Black women have won the title of Miss America, including Debbye Turner in 1990, Marjorie Vincent in 1991, and Erin Jackson in 2021. These women have made significant contributions to the pageant and have helped to increase diversity and representation in the competition.