A Courageous Beauties Interview: Mrs. North Carolina International-LaDaria Richardson

Angie: This lovely lady is a joy! I loved getting to know her at the Mrs. International pageant this last July. We stood together back stage a lot in rehearsal. She simply exudes joy, beauty, and grace. I hope you'll enjoy getting to know her too.

How did you learn about pageants? 

LaDaria: I first learned of pageants through my mother. I was 16 years old and she wanted me to enter a scholarship pageant that showcased talent. I have been hooked ever since. 

Angie: What is your platform? 


LaDaria: Equipped and Suited for Success


Angie: How do you build your platform and promote your work?


LaDaria: My work started during my first job after college. I was an employment specialist and noticed the disparity between those who wanted to enter the workforce with limited resources that included clothing, etc. I pushed forth my efforts to help educate and clothe women and men for their job interviews. Years later I found out about an organization that does the same, so I saw the need that I collaborate with the organization to further my efforts with their ideals and that is where Equipped and Suited for Success was created. 


This excited me more and I connected with local and national organizations that had the same vision. Most importantly, it allowed me to become more versatile in my efforts because I could pool my ideas and conceptualize those things that I wanted to see come to pass to better serve the community.



Angie: Why did you decide to compete? 


LaDaria: I chose to compete in the International system because I believed in the system and their ideals. This system is very serious about promoting your platform and serves as a springboard to be able to do so. It gave me the opportunity to increase awareness and promote the positive aspects of my platform that I probably would not have been able to do otherwise.



Angie: Was this your first pageant? 


LaDaria: Miss Black North Carolina USA Pageant


Angie: Was/is competition scary?


LaDaria: It was scary at first because I was a truly a novice when it came to being “prim and proper”. I was a true “tomboy”. I was in competitive sports so pageants were something that I didn’t see myself doing.


Angie: What personal fear did you have to overcome? 


LaDaria: I had to overcome being shy and overly reserved.


Angie: What about your first competition, were you super confident? 


LaDaria: In showcasing my talent. I was always good at singing and playing the piano, so I knew that this was something that I always did well at. 

Angie: What did you have to learn to compete? 


LaDaria: Interestingly enough, I had to learn to be a graceful winner and a graceful loser all at the same time. 

Angie: Tell us about what you have been able to do as Mrs. North Carolina International 2009: 


LaDaria: I have been able to reach the masses regarding my platform, participate in corporate fundraisers, become a national spokesperson for a great international organization, affect change by initiating a scholarship for low income women to further their education, and also inspire others who aspire to do great things in and around their communities. 



Angie: Please tell us about a goal, why it's been a goal, and what it means to you?


LaDaria: I am finishing my Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and I plan to continue to serve the mental health population by going into private practice.
 
Angie: There's an idea in society that pageants are just skin deep. How would you answer that? 


LaDaria: Pageantry has evolved in such a way that requires women to be so multi-faceted that women in pageantry are strong, educated, service oriented who give of themselves unselfishly.

Angie: The media has given Americans the idea that pageant girls/women are not intelligent and accomplished. What kind of an education do you have? 


LaDaria: I have a Bachelors Degree in Sociology/Human Services and currently finishing my Masters in Clinical Psychology.



Angie: What is your "day job?" 


LaDaria: I am a Mental Health Professional


Angie: Do you have other creative talents you pursue?


LaDaria: I am a recording artist. I have completed 2 CD’s and one should be released hopefully in the spring.

Angie: Do you think it is important for a person to look their best?


LaDaria: Absolutely! I think we should always be at our best and looking great is apart of that dynamic.



Angie: What do you hope to achieve with your title long term? 


LaDaria: I hope to be able to award several scholarships to low income women to help further their education.

Angie: Would you share about your fashion favorites, flair, or a tip that makes you feel beautiful? 


LaDaria: I consider myself an evolving “fashionistia”. I love creating my own looks and style no matter what the current trends are.


Angie: What are your plans after your title ends?


LaDaria: I take it one day at a time. Once that time comes to an end, I will decide at that point. 


Angie: What compliment do you receive most often?


LaDaria: That I have a nice smile. 


Angie: What are you most confident about?


LaDaria: My ability to connect to others.


Angie: How did you earn that sense of confidence?


LaDaria: I have been working with diverse groups of people for quite some time and that has given me that confidence. I can relate to people and make a genuine connection.



Angie: What would you like to share?


LaDaria: Thank you so much for your time and for choosing me to be a part of this process. My state website is: 
www.northcarolinainternationalpageants.com

Angie: My pleasure! Thank you for being with us today :-)