The third time is the charm for McKenzie Kerry. After three years of competing in pageants, the 25-year-old was recently crowned Miss Iowa USA.”Every time I put on my sash or my crown, it becomes a little more real,” Kerry said, smiling.Kerry’s coronation in June was a notable moment as she is only the second Black woman to hold the title in the more than 70 years of the pageant’s history.”When we think about the figures and faces of our community, I think it’s important that Black women and Black girls can have someone that they look up to,” Kerry said. “I’m honored to represent myself and my Black history.”For months, Kerry prepared for her moment on stage, including finding a winning wardrobe. Ankeny jeweler Ammina Taylor helped complete Kerry’s look with a simple pair of gold mesh hoop earrings. Taylor is the owner and founder of Twenty-Eight Minna, a luxury jewelry brand for everyday people. She creates and curates women’s accessories, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.”Jewelry is just one of my favorite things,” Taylor said. ” I like to say look good, feel good, do good.”Taylor is a self-made businesswoman who built her brand from the ground up two years ago. Now, her earrings are taking center stage. She called Kerry’s decision to wear her jewelry a big moment for her small business.”It is difficult as a small business. We really have to work hard to get the brand recognition to show that we are a legitimate company,” Taylor said. “Any time we have somebody who wears our pieces or provides a review it really does help show that we are a great company to work with. It was really just a great opportunity for me.” An opportunity of a lifetime awaits Kerry in August when she will represent Iowa in the Miss USA pageant in Hollywood, California. Using her platform to uplift other women who look like her.”Being able to support the community is awesome but also being able to support a Black woman who is hustling and grinding who has truly created an incredible product is amazing too,” Kerry said. ” I think we all have the power to elevate the things we care about and to bring other people with us.”Kerry will compete for the Miss USA title on Sunday, Aug. 4. The pageant will be televised on The CW beginning at 7 p.m. CST. A portion of the sales proceeds from Twenty-Eight Minna benefit Jack and Jill of America, an organization that invests in programs that address issues affecting African American children and families.
The third time is the charm for McKenzie Kerry. After three years of competing in pageants, the 25-year-old was recently crowned Miss Iowa USA.
“Every time I put on my sash or my crown, it becomes a little more real,” Kerry said, smiling.
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Kerry’s coronation in June was a notable moment as she is only the second Black woman to hold the title in the more than 70 years of the pageant’s history.
“When we think about the figures and faces of our community, I think it’s important that Black women and Black girls can have someone that they look up to,” Kerry said. “I’m honored to represent myself and my Black history.”
For months, Kerry prepared for her moment on stage, including finding a winning wardrobe. Ankeny jeweler Ammina Taylor helped complete Kerry’s look with a simple pair of gold mesh hoop earrings. Taylor is the owner and founder of Twenty-Eight Minna, a luxury jewelry brand for everyday people. She creates and curates women’s accessories, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.
“Jewelry is just one of my favorite things,” Taylor said. ” I like to say look good, feel good, do good.”
Taylor is a self-made businesswoman who built her brand from the ground up two years ago. Now, her earrings are taking center stage. She called Kerry’s decision to wear her jewelry a big moment for her small business.
“It is difficult as a small business. We really have to work hard to get the brand recognition to show that we are a legitimate company,” Taylor said. “Any time we have somebody who wears our pieces or provides a review it really does help show that we are a great company to work with. It was really just a great opportunity for me.”
An opportunity of a lifetime awaits Kerry in August when she will represent Iowa in the Miss USA pageant in Hollywood, California. Using her platform to uplift other women who look like her.
“Being able to support the community is awesome but also being able to support a Black woman who is hustling and grinding who has truly created an incredible product is amazing too,” Kerry said. ” I think we all have the power to elevate the things we care about and to bring other people with us.”
Kerry will compete for the Miss USA title on Sunday, Aug. 4. The pageant will be televised on The CW beginning at 7 p.m. CST. A portion of the sales proceeds from Twenty-Eight Minna benefit Jack and Jill of America, an organization that invests in programs that address issues affecting African American children and families.