Registration Opens July 1, 2026 | Class of 2027 Applications | Young Ladies From Across the Country
MISS JUNETEENTH AMERICA INSTITUTE FOR SCHOLARS & LEADERS
REGISTRATION OPENS JULY 1, 2026A National Leadership Experience For Young Ladies Ages 13–18 From Across The Country
Help your daughter grow in confidence, cultural pride, service, leadership, and purpose through a year-long experience designed to prepare young ladies to learn, lead, and serve.
Watch the Open Registration Message
Hear from the Founder and Program Leadership
Before you apply, hear directly from Suntrease Williams-Maynard, Founder and Pageant Director, and Karrie Lewis-Pride, Executive Administrator and Program Coordinator, as they share the heart behind the Miss Juneteenth America Institute for Scholars & Leaders and welcome families to learn more about the Class of 2027.
This video gives parents, guardians, and prospective participants a personal introduction to the Institute, the leadership journey, and the opportunity for young ladies ages 13–18 from across the country to grow in confidence, heritage, service, and purpose.
Suntrease Williams-Maynard, Founder and Pageant Director, and Karrie Lewis-Pride, Executive Administrator and Program Coordinator, introduce Open Registration for the Miss Juneteenth America Institute for Scholars & Leaders Class of 2027.
This Is More Than a Pageant
Many young ladies are ready to lead, but they need the right environment to practice using their voice, build confidence, understand their history, and see themselves as part of a larger legacy.
The Miss Juneteenth America Institute for Scholars & Leaders gives young ladies from across the country space to grow as scholars, leaders, speakers, community contributors, and young ladies of purpose.
Miss Juneteenth America has been committed to being more than a pageant since Day One. The Institute now brings that mission-driven work into a clear, structured leadership pathway for participants and families.
This is a year-long leadership journey rooted in heritage, service, identity, civic responsibility, and purpose.
National Recognition and Community Support
Featured on NBC’s TODAY
The Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program® was featured on NBC’s TODAY in the segment, “Meet the Founder of the Miss Juneteenth America Pageant.”
This national media feature highlights the broader Miss Juneteenth America™ mission and its work to prepare young women for leadership, scholarship, cultural pride, and public service
Recognized by the City of Mobile
The City of Mobile recognized the 5-Year Anniversary of the Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program through an official mayoral proclamation.
The proclamation honors the program’s contributions to youth development, education, cultural preservation, community service, scholarship, personal development, and community engagement.
This recognition further strengthens the connection between the Institute, Mobile, Alabama, The Maynard 4 Foundation, and the broader mission of developing the next generation of leaders.
Five-Year Impact
Over the past five years, the Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program has helped young ladies from across the country grow through scholarship, leadership, service, mentorship, HBCU connections, and community contribution.
$37,701
Scholarships Awarded
57
Young Ladies Empowered
50+
Charitable Contributions Made
36+
HBCU Connections Established
50+
Mentor Connections Facilitated
These impact numbers reflect the foundation the Institute is building on as it prepares to welcome the Class of 2027.
Partner and Leadership Fund Recognition
VisionSpot Enterprises | iSKORED™ is a nationally recognized leadership and organizational diagnostics firm that transforms how leaders, teams, and organizations perform.
Through its Empowering Community Progress Initiative, VisionSpot Enterprises proudly supports The Maynard 4 Foundation and the Queens’ leadership journey by investing philanthropically in next-generation leaders, strengthening community-centered work, and turning vision into impact.
Quick Registration Details
Regular Registration
July 1 – December 31, 2026
Apply during the regular registration period.
Late Registration
January 1 – January 31, 2027
Additional nonrefundable $50 late fee applies.
Eligible Participants
Ages 13–18 by June 1, 2027
Open to young ladies from across the country.
Program Year
March 2027 – March 2028
A year-long leadership development experience.
Program Week
June 2–6, 2027
Held in Mobile, Alabama during Program Week.
Registration Price
$500 nonrefundable total
Includes the $75 application fee. Processing fees apply.
The late registration fee is an additional nonrefundable $50 for registrations received January 1–31, 2027. The remaining balance is due by January 31, 2027.
Is This Institute Right for Your Daughter?
This experience may be a strong fit for young ladies who are ready to grow.
The Institute is designed for young ladies ages 13–18 from across the country who are interested in leadership, education, culture, service, personal growth, and civic responsibility.
This may be a meaningful fit for your daughter if she wants to:
Build Confidence
Strengthen Her Voice
Explore Culture & History
Grow as a Speaker
Prepare for Leadership
Find Mentorship
Serve Her Community
Use Her Gifts
No pageant experience is required. Participants only need readiness to grow, serve, learn, and lead.
Eligibility & Divisions
Eligibility Requirements
Participants must:
- Be ages 13–18 by June 1, 2027
- Demonstrate leadership potential and personal integrity
- Maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA
- Be single with no dependents
- Have no criminal record
- Be supported by a parent or guardian
- Have parental or guardian consent
- Commit to service with The Maynard 4 Foundation
- Attend required meetings, with virtual options available when applicable
Divisions
Junior Miss Juneteenth America
Ages 13–15
Teen Miss Juneteenth America
Ages 16–18
Virtual options are available for select meetings and service opportunities, helping participants remain engaged even when they are outside the Mobile, Alabama area.
THE FIVE Es LEADERSHIP JOURNEY
Education → Exposure → Enrichment → Engagement → Empowerment
The Institute follows a five-phase leadership model designed to support participant growth throughout the program year.
Each phase helps participants build confidence, deepen cultural awareness, strengthen leadership skills, and apply what they are learning through service, civic engagement, public presentation, and community impact.
1. Education
Foundation Building | March 2027
The program opens in March in honor of Women’s History Month, creating a meaningful connection between the Institute’s mission and its focus on developing young women as scholars, leaders, speakers, and community contributors.
Participants begin by building a foundation for leadership through personal growth, communication, confidence, emotional wellness, financial literacy, etiquette, and goal setting.
- Public speaking and communication skills
- Confidence and emotional wellness
- Financial literacy and goal setting
- Professional etiquette and leadership behavior
- Leadership and personal development
This phase helps participants begin the program with leadership identity, historical awareness, and foundational confidence.
2. Exposure
Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program Week Leadership Experience | June 2–6, 2027 | Mobile, Alabama
Participants step into public leadership through Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program Week, held June 2–6, 2027 in Mobile, Alabama.
During this high-visibility experience, Institute participants are introduced as emerging leaders and connected to the broader Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program community.
This phase may include leadership development, mentorship, public presentation opportunities, scholarship recognition, community celebration, and structured visibility experiences.
This phase also connects participants to a program legacy that has received national media recognition, including the NBC TODAY feature on Miss Juneteenth America Founder and Director Suntrease Williams-Maynard and the Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program.
3. Enrichment
Cultural Heritage, Identity, and Leadership Legacy | October 2027
Participants deepen their understanding of Juneteenth, cultural heritage, history, identity, and the continuing story of freedom.
This phase may include heritage-based experiences connected to Juneteenth history, HBCU exposure, cultural memory, and leadership development.
The Enrichment phase helps participants connect leadership with memory, heritage, identity, and purpose.
4. Engagement
Civic Leadership, Service, and Community Connection | January 2028
Participants apply their leadership development in civic, service, and community settings.
Through approved ambassador, commemorative, service, or community leadership opportunities, participants may:
- Serve as Official Institute Ambassadors
- Participate in Civic or Commemorative Events
- Engage in Intergenerational Dialogue
- Demonstrate Communication, Etiquette, and Professionalism
- Represent the Institute Through Service, Presence, and Leadership
- Apply Skills Developed During Prior Phases of the Program
This phase reinforces public leadership, community connection, and real-world application of the Institute’s leadership experience.
5. Empowerment
Reflection, Purpose, and Community Impact| March 2028
The program concludes with a culminating empowerment experience centered on reflection, leadership identity, courage, civic responsibility, and community impact.
Participants reflect on what they have learned, how they have grown, and how they will continue using their voice and leadership in their communities.
This phase may include:
- Civil Rights History
- Public Reflection
- Community Impact
- Leadership Identity
- Purpose-Driven Service
Community Impact Presentation Series
The program cycle concludes with a Community Impact Presentation Series.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Present leadership reflections
- Share Unsung Sheroes narratives
- Engage community audiences in dialogue
- Demonstrate year-long leadership development outcomes
- Reflect on how they will continue serving their communities
This final presentation experience allows participants to share what they have learned, how they have grown, and how they plan to use their leadership voice moving forward.
By the End of the Program Year
Participants will leave with more than memories. By the end of the Institute year, each young lady will have moved through a structured leadership experience designed to help her learn, practice, reflect, serve, and use her voice with purpose.
Through education, exposure, enrichment, engagement, and empowerment, participants are guided toward growth that reaches beyond the program year.
Confidence
She practices using her voice, communicating clearly, presenting publicly, and showing up as a young leader with greater self-assurance.
Connection
She grows through cultural heritage, mentorship, sisterhood, community relationships, and a stronger understanding of the legacy she carries.
Contribution
She applies what she learns through service, civic engagement, public reflection, community impact, and purpose-driven leadership.
Hear From Participants, Queens, and Queen Mothers
Real voices from the Miss Juneteenth America community.
Families will have the opportunity to hear directly from members of the Miss Juneteenth America community through video interviews featuring Class of 2026 participants, 2025 Queens, and Queen Mothers.
These interviews offer a meaningful look at the program experience as the Institute prepares to welcome the Class of 2027.
Through these stories, prospective participants and families can learn more about personal growth, leadership development, sisterhood, cultural pride, service, and the role of family support throughout the journey.
Class of 2026 Participants
Queen Savannah Jones, Junior Miss Juneteenth America® 2025 - Featuring Queen Mother Mrs. Vanessa Jones
Queen Victoria Howell, Teen Miss Juneteenth America® 2025 - Featuring Queen Mother Mrs. Cabretta Howell
Registration Investment
The full nonrefundable registration price for the Miss Juneteenth America Institute for Scholars & Leaders is $500. This amount includes the nonrefundable $75 application fee due at the time of registration.
The remaining balance is due by January 31, 2027.
An additional nonrefundable $50 late registration fee applies to registrations received between January 1, 2027 and January 31, 2027.
How to Apply
A simple four-step process for families.
Step 1
Submit Application
Complete the application between July 1, 2026 and January 31, 2027.
Step 2
Pay Application Fee
Pay the $75 nonrefundable application fee at registration. Processing fees apply to all payments.
Step 3
Complete Balance
Pay the remaining balance by
January 31, 2027.
Step 4
Attend Welcome Zoom
Join the February 1, 2027 meeting for expectations and next steps.
Registered participants and their parent or guardian will receive program information, expectations, and next steps during the February 1, 2027 Welcome Zoom Meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can register?
Young ladies from across the country who are ages 13–18 by June 1, 2027 may register for the Miss Juneteenth America Institute for Scholars & Leaders™ Class of 2027.
What cohort is this application for?
This application is for the Class of 2027 and the March 2027 – March 2028 program year.
Is pageant experience required?
No. Pageant experience is not required. Participants only need readiness to grow, serve, learn, and lead.
What GPA is required?
Participants must maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA.
Applicants must also email their most recent school record showing current GPA status to The Maynard 4 Foundation for the application to be reviewed.
What are the divisions?
Junior Miss Juneteenth America®: Ages 13–15
Teen Miss Juneteenth America®: Ages 16–18
Is this program only for participants in Mobile, Alabama?
No. Young ladies from across the country are welcome to register. Some experiences are connected to Mobile, Alabama and partner sites, and select virtual options are available when applicable.
Why is Mobile, Alabama part of the Institute experience?
Mobile, Alabama is central to the story of the Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program® and the Institute’s leadership journey. The program was founded in Mobile and was recognized by the City of Mobile through an official mayoral proclamation honoring its five-year anniversary and contributions to youth development, education, cultural preservation, community service, scholarship, personal development, and community engagement.
Mobile also carries a meaningful historical connection to the broader story of Juneteenth. Major General Gordon Granger served in Alabama during the Civil War and later issued General Order No. 3 in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, announcing that enslaved people in Texas were free. The Mobile-area Battle of Fort Blakeley also included one of the largest concentrations of United States Colored Troops in a Civil War battle, connecting the region to the military service, sacrifice, and enforcement work surrounding emancipation.
Mobile is also home to Africatown, a community founded by descendants of some of the enslaved people aboard the Clotilda. The story of Africatown and the Clotilda helps connect participants to history, resilience, identity, remembrance, and the ongoing work of freedom.
Together, Mobile, Africatown, Fort Blakeley, Galveston, and the Miss Juneteenth America experience help participants understand leadership as something rooted in history, service, remembrance, and responsibility.
When is Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program Week?
Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program Week will be held June 2–6, 2027 in Mobile, Alabama.
How much does registration cost?
The full nonrefundable registration price is $500 for new participants, including the nonrefundable $75 application fee.
The amount due at application submission is $78.99, including processing fees.
Is there a returning participant rate?
Yes. The returning participant fee is $450 for previously enrolled Miss Juneteenth America participants.
Is there a late registration fee?
Yes. An additional nonrefundable $50 late registration fee applies to registrations received between January 1, 2027 and January 31, 2027.
When is the remaining balance due?
The remaining balance is due by January 31, 2027.
Additional payment details, including installment options and deadlines, will be provided upon acceptance into the program.
When is the Welcome Zoom Meeting?
The Welcome Zoom Meeting will be held on February 1, 2027 for registered participants and their parent or guardian.
How many participants will be accepted?
The Institute is designed as a small-cohort experience for up to 13 participants, honoring the significance of the 13th Amendment and the continuing story of freedom, education, leadership, and opportunity.
What is the Dream HBCU Connection?
The Dream HBCU Connection allows each applicant to identify her Dream HBCU for program planning, participant recognition, and related Institute activities.
The Dream HBCU listed on the application cannot be changed after submission.
Is a headshot required?
Yes. A professional-style headshot is required for all applicants. The headshot may be used for program materials, including the souvenir booklet, official features, and participant recognition.
Your application will not be considered complete until the required headshot has been received.
Where should the headshot be sent?
Headshots should be emailed to:
Mrs. Chauncyne McHoward, Brand Manage
The file should be saved using this format:
ParticipantName_Headshot_Classof2027.jpg
Was Miss Juneteenth America featured nationally?
Yes. The Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program® was featured during its 5-Year Anniversary on NBC’s TODAY, introducing Founder and Director Suntrease Williams-Maynard.
Has the program been recognized by the City of Mobile?
Yes. The City of Mobile recognized the 5-Year Anniversary of the Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program® through an official mayoral proclamation. The proclamation acknowledged the program’s founding in Mobile, Alabama, national reach, and contributions to youth development, education, cultural preservation, community service, scholarship, personal development, and community engagement.
Has Miss Juneteenth America received local media coverage?
Yes. Miss Juneteenth America has also received local media coverage through WKRG News 5, helping share the program’s mission, community impact, and commitment to developing young ladies through leadership, scholarship, cultural heritage, and service.
What impact has Miss Juneteenth America made over the past five years?
Current five-year impact includes:
$37,701 in scholarships awarded
57 young ladies empowered
50+ charitable contributions made
36+ HBCU connections established
50+ mentor connections facilitated
How do I apply?
Complete the online application, submit the nonrefundable application fee, email the required GPA documentation, and send the required headshot.
Applications will be reviewed once all required materials, documentation, and payment have been received.