The Black Student Association presented the 36th Annual Miss Black OU Scholarship Pageant Sunday night at Sooner Theatre.

Kaneisha Lloyd, public relations sophomore, received the crown, $1250 and the opportunity to implement her platform, Breaking Barriers: Freedom of Our Youth.

“I want my campus to know that I plan to impact, influence and change,” Lloyd said. “I want to revolutionize our inner city youth to the point where they’re building upon their own lives and creating a better tomorrow.”

This year’s pageant added more elements to the show that had not been showcased before, including a live band and crowd interaction, said Vanessa Roberts, Miss Black OU Chair and health and exercise science senior. The pageant's theme was three dimensions of the black woman, “Mind, Body, and Soul.”

Contestants competed in segments ranging from a preliminary interview, athletic apparel, talent, evening wear and projection.

“Miss Black OU is a display of the talent, the beauty and the strength that’s within the black community,“ said Lauren McMillan, Black Student Association president and English writing senior. "It’s a wonderful tradition that I hope to see for years and years to come.”

Through her involvement in a Christian sports camp, Kids Across America, Lloyd said she found her passion in helping children, which led to her platform.

“I learned not only to see the kid in me but to embrace the struggles that I went through as a youth and help one of those little girls or boys that need encouragement, because I was one of those kids,” Lloyd said.

The first official act as queen will be a basketball tournament at a Norman high school, which will raise funds for organizations that serve as positive outlets for the community’s youth.

“Kaneisha is very passionate about her platform,” said Nikki Ajeh, former Miss Black OU and current Miss Black USA. “She is going to be amazing and I know she’ll be great.”

The Miss Black OU Pageant is an annual event, but it continues to be relevant and necessary, said Christian Leach, Miss Black OU Committee member and public relations sophomore.