A former Miss Black OU placed among the top 15 contestants at the 2010 Miss Black USA pageant.

Nikki Ajeh, finance, accounting and African American Studies senior, competed in the national pageant Aug. 3 to 9 in Washington, D.C.

She won the Miss Black OU crown in February 2009, which qualified her to compete for and win the title of Miss Black Oklahoma USA in September.

After winning the state crown, Ajeh spent a year dedicated to service in order to qualify for the national pageant, according to Mia Woodfork, executive director of Miss Black Oklahoma USA.

Ajeh worked with Guiding Right, an HIV/AIDS Awareness organization, and co-sponsored events with OU student groups benefitting the organization.

Ajeh said the most rewarding experience was coordinating The Red and Black Affair with the Black Student Association. The event took place during Ebony Homecoming in October 2009, and Ajeh said the group raised $3,000 for Guiding Right.

“We not only got to educate, but we got to donate,” she said.

This year of dedication qualified her to compete in the national Miss Black USA pageant.

Thirty-two women between the ages of 18 and 27 participated in a personal interview, fitness and talent portions, evening gown and on-stage question and answer categories of the pageant. Of those 32 women, Ajeh earned a spot in among the Top 15 contestants.

She didn’t take home the national crown, but, because the pageant is open to women who already may have degrees and careers, Ajeh said she was honored to be among a group of such accomplished women.

“Most people are done with college and are very distinguished women at this point,” she said.

Ajeh isn’t ready to throw in the tiaras just yet; she’ll be competing in the 2010 Miss OU pageant Oct. 20.