Contestant Requirements

To be considered for participation in the Miss Black America Local Montclair Pageant or the Diva Pageant, all contestants must meet the following eligibility requirements. These guidelines ensure fairness and uphold the integrity of our competition.

General Eligibility Requirements

Age & Category Requirements

Contestants must meet the age requirements for their respective category:

Baby Diva (Ages 3-5)

Tiny Diva (Ages 6-9)

Little Diva (Ages 10-12)

Teen Diva (Ages 13-17)

Miss Black America Local Montclair (Ages 17-29)

Elegant Diva Pageant (Ages 30-49)

Silva Diva (Ages 50+)

Queen Diva (Ages 50+ must have already won a pageant)

Contestants must compete in the age category that corresponds with their age on the date of the pageant.

Residency & Citizenship:

Contestants must reside in or strongly connect to New Jersey (Montclair or Essex County specifically) through work, education, or community involvement. Contestants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents. Contestants must identify as Black or of African descent.

Moral & Ethical Standards:

Contestants must be of good moral character and have no active criminal record. Contestants must not have any current contracts or obligations that would interfere with their participation or titleholder duties.

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Personal & Professional Conduct:

Contestants must conduct themselves with professionalism, grace, and respect at all times. Any conduct deemed inappropriate or damaging to the reputation of the Jefferson Foundation or its affiliated pageants may result in disqualification.

Application & Financial Requirements Application Submission:

All contestants must complete and submit an official pageant application by the stated deadline. Late applications will not be considered. Registration & Sponsorship Fees: To secure participation, contestants must submit the following:

$75 Non-Refundable Registration Fee (due at the time of application). $300 Sponsorship Fee (due by the deadline provided in this packet).

How to Secure Sponsors & Donations:

We understand that raising funds can be a challenge, so here are some creative ways to secure sponsors:

Local Businesses:

Ask small businesses, beauty salons, restaurants, and boutiques to sponsor you in exchange for a shoutout in your pageant bio.

Family & Friends: Share your pageant journey with loved ones and ask for small contributions. Even $10 from 30 people will cover your sponsorship fee!

Community Fundraising: Host a bake sale, car wash, or small event to raise funds.

Online Fundraising: Use platforms like GoFundMe or social media to share your pageant journey and ask for sponsorships.

Corporate Sponsorships: Some companies offer community sponsorships—reach out to them with a professional request letter.

Participation Requirements Mandatory Meetings & Rehearsals:

Contestants must attend all mandatory rehearsals, meetings, and scheduled events leading up to the pageant. Failure to attend may result in disqualification.

Wardrobe & Presentation:

Contestants must adhere to the official wardrobe requirements for each competition segment. Dress codes will be outlined in a separate document.

Signed Agreement:

Contestants must sign and return the Contestant Agreement & Code of Conduct to confirm their understanding and acceptance of all rules and expectations.

By entering the Miss Black America Local Montclair Pageant or the Diva Pageant, you are committing to excellence, professionalism, and representation of Black beauty, intelligence, and leadership.

We look forward to seeing you shine on stage!