J'can entrepreneur hopes to take Miss Blind Diva crown
Voting for Miss Independent ends today
Published:Friday | October 1, 2021 | 12:11 PMBarbara Gayle/Contributor -
Jamaican entrepreneur and motivational speaker, Tonica Williams, hopes to secure the top spot in the 2021 Miss Blind Diva Empowerment Pageant.
The pageant is being held virtually in Newark, New Jersey, in the United States, from September 20 to October 2.
Reaching for the stars is the theme of the pageant, while the aim is"to empower women with vision loss by providing tools to cultivate and encourage their daily life experience".
"My reasons for entering the contest is to represent Jamaica and the Caribbean, to build meaningful connections and to motivate our ladies," said Williams, who is legally blind.
She is the only contestant from the Caribbean.
One of the highlights of the pageant is for each contestant to provide a three-minute video showing how they can be independent.
The tasks they will perform include chores like washing and cooking or starting a business on their own.
Williams graduated from The University of the West Indies this year with a Bachelor of Science in entrepreneurship.
She has since formed her own company, Kreative Minds Business Services, which she says is doing very well.
The Miss Independent winner will be chosen on Friday, and on Saturday, the Miss Blind Diva winner will be crowned.
The annual pageant, which began in 2017, is run by American Krystle Allen, founder of Eyes Like Mine Inc.
It is recognised in Newark as the first pageant developed and executed to empower women with vision impairment and blindness.
The pageant's title incorporates the name 'Diva', which Allen nicknamed herself while in college.
Allen wants to be recognised for the 'diva' she continues to be — divine, independent, vivaciously and an amazing woman who happens to be legally blind.
Williams is encouraging Jamaicans to cast their votes by liking her YouTube video. Voting for Miss Independent ends today.