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48 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | FEBRUARY 2020 African American Cultural Club We all had a great time at our annual Christmas Party at Marla's Mexican Restaurant and now we look ahead to a new year of presentations, discussions, projects and camaraderie. We added two new members in 2019 and expect more in 2020. If you are interested in joining the club, plan on attending one of our meetings held in the RCN Conference Room, the last Friday of every month at 10 am… we'd be happy to see you! ~Jim Peterson, jimsally@hotmail.com RADIO CLUB BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL All the top beauty pageant winners for 2019 are beautiful black women. According to www.blackpast.com, black women weren't allowed to compete in the Miss America pageant until the 1940s, and it wasn't until 30 years later that the first black woman walked the stage in a national contest. Now, for the first time in world history, five black women simultaneously hold the titles of the world's top beauty pageants. Kaliegh Garris is Miss Teen USA. The 18-year-old wore her own thick, curly hair when she won her title. She said, "I feel more confident and comfortable with my naturally curly hair." Garris currently volunteers at Yale's New Haven Hospital and is set to enroll in Southern Connecticut State University to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. Nia Franklin is Miss America. The 23-year-old says she went to a school that was 95 percent white. Feeling out of place, she found love in the arts. "I felt out of place so much because of the color of my skin, and music helped me to feel positive about myself and about who I am." Franklin holds a Master's Degree in Fine Arts from The University of North Carolina. She is a classically-trained opera singer and an advocate for the arts. Cheslie Kryst is Miss USA. The 28-year-old attorney is licensed to practice in two states. She earned both her law degree and MBA from Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Kryst practices civil litigation and has a passion for helping prisoners who were sentenced unjustly. Her mission is to help reform America's justice system. Zozibini Tunzi is Miss Universe. The 26-year-old holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations from Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa. She has also launched a social media campaign against gender-based violence. Tunzi says, "We have to start the narration where right-thinking people act as role models for those who think it's okay to mistreat women." Toni-Ann Singh is Miss World. The 23-year-old was born in Morant Bay, St. Thomas. She graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Psychology. Her future plans are to go to medical school and become a doctor. Upcoming Events: Feb. 7 through Feb. 28- AACC Film Festival Feb. 8 – Born in America Concert The next AACC meeting is Monday, Feb. 3 at 6 pm in The Lodge Game Room. For more information, please send an email to infotoaacc@gmail.com. ~ Regina Thomas Kaliegh Garris, Miss Teen USA; Nia Franklin, Miss America; Cheslie Kryst, Miss USA; Zozibini Tunzi, Miss Universe; and Toni-Ann Singh, Miss World (Getty Images)