News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2nd Annual Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant crowns Queens
in six divisions at North Central University’s Trask Worship Center
MINNEAPOLIS (June 7, 2025) – Standing onstage in front of an auditorium filled with a
cheering and enthusiastic crowd, six new Queens were crowned at the 2025 Miss Juneteenth
Minnesota State Pageant. Their reign begins immediately.

The six new Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant Queens and their hometowns are:
• Division 1: Ages 6 to 9 – Little Miss Juneteenth: Brielle Salifu, Apple Valley
• Division 2: Ages 10 to 13 – Junior Miss Juneteenth: Nyelle Salifu, Apple Valley
• Division 3: Ages 14 to 18 – Teen Miss Juneteenth: Khamani Washington, St. Louis Park
• Division 4: Ages 19 to 24 – Miss Juneteenth: Jailynn Brown, Brooklyn Center
• Division 5: Ages 25 to 30 – Ms. Juneteenth: Jailyn Newton, Eden Prairie
• Division 6: Ages 31 to 39 – Madam Juneteenth: Sannia Elzia, Mendota Heights

A new division – Madam Juneteenth – was created to add another dimension to the pageant
and showcase the talent and intelligence of the contestants ages 31 to 39.
Two of the Queens – Little Miss Juneteenth Brielle Salifu and Junior Miss Juneteenth Nyelle
Salifu of Apple Valley – are sisters.

The contestants, pageant officials, family and community celebrated Juneteenth and the event’s
theme Rediscovering Our Culture and Redefining Our Freedom at North Central
University’s (NCU) Trask Worship Center in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“Today’s Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant was more than an event – it created special

memories that all the contestants will remember for the rest of their lives. They bonded at pre-
pageant workshops, learned about the historical significance of Juneteenth and life skills from

facilitators. They are well on their way to rediscovering our culture and redefining their freedom,”
said Angel T. Jones, chief executive officer and founder of the Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State
Pageant.

“These six queens – and all the contestants – are outstanding role models for other young
people in the community. Their intelligence, poise and character were evident to everyone
attending today’s pageant,” said Pageant Advisor Rev. William Pierce. “The pageant’s board of

advisors are honored to have witnessed the transformation over these past months as the
contestants learned to embrace their diversity and understand their self-worth.”
All contestants competed in the Opening Number, Essay, Evening Gown, Onstage Question &
Answer and Personal Interview categories. They also competed for scholarships and awards.
Judging criteria is available on the pageant’s website.

An awards ceremony and dinner immediately followed in the dining room at NCU’s Trask
Worship Center. Dr. Stephanie Burrage, chief executive officer of Collaborative Student
Transportation, served as pageant and awards ceremony emcee. Five Twin Cites community
leaders served as the pageant judges.

About Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant
Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our primary focus
and objectives are to create a platform that will provide its Black contestants with educational,
networking, and career opportunities. The organization’s vision – “Rediscovering Our Culture and
Redefining our Freedom” – clearly aligns with these objectives and goals. We want to safely open
doors for our younger generation for their gifts and talents to be revealed in a pageant setting. Visit
us on our website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or TikTok social media platforms.

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MEDIA CONTACTS :
Amy Frantti
MRPP & Associates Communications
612-432-5408
amybf@mrppcomms.com

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Marsha Pitts-Phillips
MRPP & Associates Communications
Mobile: 612-408-7828
marsha@mrppcomms.com

 

 

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The 2nd Annual Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant features contestants
on their journey to “Rediscovering Our Culture and Redefining Our Freedom”
The pageant takes place Saturday June 7 at North Central University’s Trask Worship Center 1400 Elliot Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404.   

Black females ages six to 39 are striving to be the best they can be as they prepare to compete for their title. The pageant takes place from 2 – 5 p.m., doors open at 1pm. Attire: business casual to elegant, no hats please.  An awards ceremony and dinner following immediately at the same venue from 6 – 8 p.m. Dr. Stephanie Burrage, chief executive officer of Collaborative Student Transportation, is the pageant
and awards ceremony emcee. This is a fun family event!

The event theme is Rediscovering Our Culture and Redefining Our Freedom. Organizers
said their vision is to inspire all participants to become better public speakers, embrace their
diversity, understand their self-worth, and boost their self-confidence. One of the goals of the
pageant is to educate the contestants about the origins and purpose of Juneteenth.
“It is vital for women to embrace the understanding that true beauty resides within them. We provide educational, networking, and career opportunities through our workshops, equipping them with the tools, services and resources needed to shine confidently in their journeys.
with the tools to help enhance their self-esteem,” said Angel T. Jones, chief executive officer
and founder of the Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant. Contestants will also compete for
scholarships, awards, gifts, and other prizes.

The six pageant divisions are:
Division 1: Ages 6 to 9 – Little Miss Juneteenth MN
Division 2: Ages 10 to 13 – Junior Miss Juneteenth MN
Division 3: Ages 14 to 18 – Teen Miss Juneteenth MN
Division 4: Ages 19 to 24 – Miss Juneteenth MN
Division 5: Ages 25 to 30 – Ms. Juneteenth MN

Division 6: Ages 31 to 39 - Madam Juneteenth MN

All contestants compete in the Essay, Evening Gown, Onstage Question & Answer and Opening Number, and Personal Interview categories. This includes the optional awards in Talent, Physical Fitness and Miss Photogenic. Judging criteria is available on the pageant’s website.
“We set a high bar and it will be a challenge for the judges to decide who will be crowned the
winner in each division,” said Pageant Advisor Rev. William Pierce. “Every contestant brings
unique attributes to the pageant which include confidence, intellect, courage and the willingness
to make a difference in the community.”
"We have a unique distinguished panel of judges this year"

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Tickets are on sale now through the pageant date. Ticket prices range from $20 to $75 and
may be purchased online, click below for tickets. Pageant seating is
limited, and VIP tickets are going fast. For more information, photos and a list of sponsors, visit the Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant website, call 763-226-8457, or email info@missjuneteenthmn.org. Also, for the names of the 2024 Miss Juneteenth MN State Pageant Queens visit the website.

About Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant
Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our primary
focus and objectives are to create a platform that will provide its Black contestants to
educational, networking, and career opportunities, with resources and services.

The organization’s vision – “Rediscovering
Our Culture and Redefining our Freedom” – clearly aligns with these objectives and goals. We
want to safely open doors for our younger generation for their gifts and talents to be revealed in
a pageant setting. Visit us on our website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or TikTok social
media platforms.

​​

​​​MEDIA CONTACTS:

Amy Frantti

Media Relations

MRPP & Associates Communications

amyfrantti@gmail.com

612-432-5408

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