Lenora Benson’s palms were sweaty and her hands were shaking as she
waited on stage for the winner of the 2011 Miss Black Massachusetts
pageant to be announced. At age 25, this was the Brockton resident’s
third pageant; she had not placed well in her first two.
Benson was a late entrant to the pageant world, signing up for her
first competition after she’d graduated from Brockton High School,
earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology at UMass-Dartmouth and served
five years in the Army National Guard, where she is now a first
lieutenant platoon leader in the 125th Quartermaster Co. of Worcester.
Learn more about Miss Black USA Scholarship Organization click here....
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January 2012 'TALENTED TEEN'
"A Healthy Cookie Company"
DeAnna, a 16 year old home schooled student in the 11th grade, and the owner/founder of her own cookie business called My Sweet Tooth, LLC. My Sweet Tooth, LLC was
created to meet the desires of children and adults that not only have
restrictive dietary needs, but also those who are facing diabetes,
obesity, and those who simply want a healthier choice.
DeAnna hopes to one
day have her cookies within school systems and within grocery
stores for home shoppers. DeAnna has been featured on the Syndicated Coca Brother Radio Show; Radio One DC's Public Affairs Talk Show with Sheila Stewart; Black
Business Owners Network with Ms. Brenda Eason and Tina
Michelle, interviewed by the Katie Able Foundation and spotlighted
exclusively on Fox-5 TV with Wisdom Martin.
DeAnna is also the host of a Teen Entrepreneur Reality Show called “Soaring with Eagles”. "My
goal is to motivate and inspire youth in our community who are just
like me. As I look around I see children who are younger than me
struggling with diabetes (whether it is type I or II). I also see
children and adults who struggle to maintain their weight but just can’t
let go of the sweets." said Ms. Mayo.
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December 2011 'TALENTED TEEN'
Azure'Rae
is a 14 year old aspiring philanthropist and proven entrepreneur who has
received the National Black Women of Congress 26th Annual Women of Excellence
Award, with other prominent, recognized leaders such as Julieanna Richardson
(founder of HistoryMakers), and Congressman Mervyn M. Dymally (Ret.).
Azure'Rae
is the founder of DreamAzure, which currently focuses on its fragrance line,
and donates a portion of her proceeds to The HSC Pediatrics Center in Washington
D.C and volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington
D.C. She has spoken at several schools, churches, and organizations to help
empower teens to reach their goals.
Azure'Rae
won an Entrepreneurial Spirit Award from the She Matters Organization and has
received a letter of Achievement from United States Senator Barbara
Mikulski. She has been on WPGC 95.5 with Guy Lambert, 104.1 Praise in the
City with Sheila Stewart, Tavis Smiley Radio, and on the Tavis Smiley
website "Meet the Leaders" section. She was featured in the Potomac
News, Baltimore Examiner, Northern Virginia Magazine, The Washington Post,
and Global Women's magazine.
She has
always strived to help others such as having the opportunity to work with DKMS
America to have a Donor Drive to help Leukemia patients find a bone marrow
donor match, which was held at Potomac Mills Mall.
