From the outside looking in, competing for the title of “Miss” and “Mister” (also known as the kings and queens) may just look like a pageant or another exclusive title held on HBCU campuses. In reality, those elected for these roles serve as ambassadors and faces of the student body.
Fun fact: Young women have competed for the titles for decades, with Jackson State crowning its first queen in 1927, according to Buzzfeed News. The idea of a Mister or a king is fairly new, however. In 1975, Howard elected Willie Lenoy Hampton as its first king, yet some colleges didn’t adopt the tradition until the late ’90s and early 2000s.
Across the country, more than 90 historically Black colleges and universities partake in pageant season, with the Miss and Mister campaigns typically occurring in the spring semester. Campaign season is typically a multi-step process consisting of getting the word out on campus, interviewing, and creating a vision for the person’s reign. Students are scored similarly to a typical pageant, but the student body usually gets to vote on who will be the next faces of their institution.
A school’s homecoming week is usually when the official coronation happens. Capital B reached out to several HBCUs to learn more about the students behind the crowns.
Paine College – Augusta, Georgia
RICKHIA TARVER – 99th Miss Paine College
Class of 2028
Major: Sociology with a concentration in Criminology
Hometown: Miami
What does it mean to you to represent your HBCU in this role?
It means a lot to me because Paine has become more than just a college to me, it has become a part of who I am. I came to Paine as a freshman, and throughout my time here, I have grown into a completely different woman. I’ve had the opportunity to lead, serve, cheer, build relationships, and step into spaces I never imagined I would be in. Wearing the crown reminds me that I’m not just representing myself. I’m representing every student who is finding their voice and every person who has helped make Paine what it is today. I want people to see me and know that your beginning does not determine your ending.
What has your HBCU experience taught you?
Paine has taught me that you can be a work in progress and still be a leader. I’ve had moments where I doubted myself, felt overwhelmed, or questioned whether I was doing enough, but Paine kept giving me opportunities to grow. Being involved in different organizations, serving my campus, being a cheerleader, and now serving as Miss Paine has taught me that leadership isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up, being willing to learn, and using what you have to help somebody else.
What initiative have you taken on as queen that is personal or meaningful to you?
One thing that is very personal to me is creating spaces where young women feel confident, supported, and reminded of their worth. I know what it feels like to have moments where you question yourself, so I want to use my platform as Miss Paine to remind women that they are capable, valuable, and deserving of the space they take up. Through my women-focused events and conversations, I’ve wanted to create more than just an event. I want women to leave feeling encouraged, seen, and empowered. For me, that is what being Miss Paine is about: using the crown to make someone else feel like they can wear one, too.
JAYLEN MILLER — 25th Mister Paine College-Elect
Class of 2028
Major: Mass Communications, concentration in Broadcasting (Film Production)
Hometown: Decatur, Georgia
What does it mean to you to represent your HBCU in this role?
Representing Paine College as the 25th Mister Paine College is truly an honor. From serving as Mister Sophomore and Mister UNCF to now stepping into this role, I’ve grown so much both personally and as a leader. To me, this position is about more than wearing a crown. It’s about representing a school that has helped shape who I am, being someone my peers can look up to, and leaving a positive impact on my campus community.
What has your HBCU experience taught you?
My experience at Paine College has taught me the importance of growth, resilience, and staying true to myself. Through both challenges and accomplishments, I’ve learned that leadership requires patience, accountability, and a willingness to learn. Most importantly, Paine has shown me the value of community, genuine relationships, and having people who encourage you to become the best version of yourself.
What initiative have you taken on as king that is personal or meaningful to you?
One initiative that is especially meaningful to me is my Mental Health Thursday Series. As a student who balances academics, work, and leadership responsibilities, I understand how overwhelming college life can become. I created this initiative to encourage students to prioritize their mental well-being through opportunities for relaxation, self-expression, and meaningful conversations. My goal is to help create a campus environment where students feel supported, heard, and reminded that taking care of themselves is just as important as their responsibilities.
Tarver and Miller coronation date is set for Saturday, Oct. 17.
Lincoln University of Missouri – Jefferson City, Missouri
MADISON HAMPTON — 102nd Miss Lincoln University of Missouri-Elect
Class of 2027
Major: Criminal Justice
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas
What does it mean to you to represent your HBCU in this role?
Representing Lincoln University of Missouri as the 102nd Miss Lincoln means carrying a legacy bigger than me. It is an honor to represent an institution that has shaped generations of leaders and continues to create opportunities for students to grow, lead, and succeed. As a Black woman attending an HBCU, I understand that my crown represents more than a title. It represents the women who came before me, the students I have the opportunity to inspire, and the legacy I hope to leave behind. I want to show others that there is power in knowing who you are, embracing your journey, and saying yes to opportunities that will help you grow. Most importantly, I want to represent Lincoln with authenticity, remembering that I can grow into new roles and become a better version of myself without losing who I am.
What has your HBCU experience taught you?
My HBCU experience has taught me the importance of stepping outside of my comfort zone, embracing new opportunities, and believing in my own potential. When I first came to Lincoln, I was still learning who I was and what I could become. Through leadership, service, and my journey on the Royal Court, I have learned that growth requires you to be willing to challenge yourself while always staying true to who you are. I have learned that outside opinions should never define your worth or change the person you are becoming. Lincoln has taught me the importance of community, sisterhood, and using my voice to make a difference. Most importantly, it has shown me that I do not have to change who I am to become the woman I aspire to be. I can continue to grow, embrace new opportunities, and walk confidently in my purpose while remaining authentic to myself.
What initiative have you taken on as queen that is personal or meaningful to you?
One of the most meaningful initiatives I have taken on as Miss Lincoln is developing my platform, A Legacy Worth Saying Yes To, centered around L.O.V.E.: Legacy, Opportunity, Voice, and Excellence. This platform is personal to me because I believe that leadership is not just about the title you hold, but the impact you make on others. Through mentorship, service, and creating opportunities for students to find their voices, I want to encourage young people to believe in themselves and recognize their potential. I am especially passionate about mentoring younger students because I know how important it is to have someone who encourages you, believes in you, and reminds you that you are capable of achieving more than you imagine. I also want to remind others that they should never feel pressured to change who they are to fit into someone else’s expectations. My own journey has taught me the importance of remaining true to myself while continuing to grow into the woman I want to become. My goal is to leave behind initiatives that continue to serve others long after my reign ends because a true legacy is not measured by how long you wear a crown, but by how many lives you touch while wearing it.
GABRIEL WILLIAMS — 24th Mister Lincoln University of Missouri-Elect
Class of 2027
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Hometown: Wichita, Kansas
What does it mean to you to represent your HBCU in this role?
It means the world to me, especially to know that so many preceded me in doing so. They built the foundation of what it means to be royal and what it is to be a king or queen.
What has your HBCU experience taught you?
My HBCU experience has taught me that the sky truly is the limit. It may sound cliché, but it’s the truth; At an HBCU you are truly equipped with the necessary skills to tackle the world you are going to face in the next few years. Amongst us are tomorrow’s doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc. It’s truly amazing to see.
What initiative have you taken on as king that is personal or meaningful to you?
An initiative I have taken as Mister Lincoln is preserving Lincoln’s legacy whilst also establishing meaningful connections with current students, incoming freshmen, and alumni. To truly show where Lincoln has been, where Lincoln is, and where Lincoln is going. I truly believe legacy is not only about what you do, but it’s also about who you inspire others to become.
Morris Brown College – Atlanta
INDIA WILLIAMS — 92nd Miss Morris Brown College
Class of 2027
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Columbus, Georgia
What does it mean to you to represent your HBCU in this role?
Growing up in Columbus shaped me into the woman I am today. It taught me the importance of family, hard work, and staying grounded. Those values have followed me throughout my HBCU journey and now influence the kind of queen and mentor I want to be.
Representing Morris Brown College as the 92nd Miss Morris Brown College means so much to me because I know I’m representing more than just myself. I’m representing the women who wore this crown before me, the students here today, and the young women who will come after me. To me, being an HBCU queen means grace, leadership, and being yourself. It means having the confidence to lead while still remaining true to who you are. I want to show that a crown is not just something you wear but something you earn through hard work, dedication, and service. I want to represent Morris Brown in a way that makes my institution proud while leaving a legacy that continues beyond my reign.
What has your HBCU experience taught you?
My HBCU experience has taught me that growth happens when you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone. Morris Brown has challenged me to become more confident, more involved, and more intentional about the woman I’ve always wanted to become. It has also taught me to lead with grace and to never be afraid to be myself. Most importantly, it has taught me the importance of community and pouring back into others. I’ve learned that when you have the opportunity to grow, you also have a responsibility to help someone else grow. That is something I want to carry with me beyond my time at Morris Brown.
What initiative have you taken on as queen that is personal or meaningful to you?
One of the most meaningful things I have taken on is being not only a big sister, but also a mentor to those younger than me. I want to show young women that a crown is not simply worn. It is earned through hard work, dedication, leadership, and service. I want them to see themselves in me and understand that they are capable of becoming leaders while still being completely themselves. For me, this crown is bigger than a title. It gives me the opportunity to pour into the next generation and create a legacy that lasts beyond my reign. If the young women I mentor walk away believing that they can earn their own crown one day, then I know I have done my job.
JAYLIN WASHINGTON — 8th Mister Morris Brown College
Class of 2027
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Inglewood, California
What does it mean to you to represent your HBCU in this role?
Representing Morris Brown College as Mr. Morris Brown means representing more than a title. It means carrying the legacy, history, and spirit of an institution that has given so much to its students and community. I understand that when I wear the crown, people aren’t just seeing Jaylin, but they’re seeing Morris Brown. I want to represent my school with purpose, class, and authenticity while showing what it means to be a student who leads, serves, and gives back.
What has your HBCU experience taught you?
My HBCU experience has taught me that leadership is about service, not just being seen. Morris Brown has challenged me to grow academically, personally, and professionally while surrounding me with people who have pushed me to become a better version of myself. It has also taught me the importance of knowing who you are, understanding your history, and using your voice. My HBCU experience has shown me that you don’t have to wait for an opportunity to make an impact; you can create one.
What initiative have you taken on as king that is personal or meaningful to you?
As Mr. Morris Brown, mental health and personal growth are important to me because I’ve learned that sometimes people can look like they’re doing well on the outside while carrying a lot internally. I want to create spaces where students feel comfortable having real conversations about their well-being, confidence, purpose, and growth. I also want to mentor younger students and remind them that where they come from doesn’t limit where they can go. For me, being king isn’t about simply wearing a crown; it’s about using the position to heal people, impact my community, and mentor the next generation coming behind me.
Coppin State – Baltimore
DANIELLE STAFFORD — 95th Miss Coppin State-Elect
Class of 2027
Major: Biology and Life Sciences
Hometown: Landover Hills, Maryland
What does it mean to you to represent your HBCU in this role?
Representing my HBCU in this role means carrying the legacy, excellence, and pride of Coppin State University with me wherever I go. It is an opportunity to serve as a positive reflection of my university while inspiring other students to recognize their own potential. I am honored to represent Coppin and to show that HBCU students are capable, impactful, and prepared to make a difference.
What has your HBCU experience taught you?
My HBCU experience has taught me the importance of resilience, community, and knowing the value of my voice. Coppin State University has challenged me to grow academically, personally, and as a leader while reminding me of the power of serving others. Most importantly, my experience has taught me that where I come from is a part of my strength and that I have a responsibility to use my education and experiences to create an impact.
What initiative have you taken on as Miss Coppin that is especially personal or meaningful to you?
One of the most meaningful initiatives I have taken on as Miss Coppin has been intentionally connecting with our first-year students. As a senior, I understand how valuable guidance, encouragement, and having someone to look up to can be during the transition into college, and I strive to be the mentor I wish I had when I was a first-year student. Through programs such as first-year women’s empowerment initiatives, affirmation activities, and intentional opportunities to connect with our newest Eagles, I have worked to create spaces where they feel seen, supported, and confident as they begin their Coppin journey.
DAYQUAN PIER — 26th Mister Coppin State University-Elect
Class of 2028
Major: Social Work
Hometown: Baltimore
What does it mean to you to represent your HBCU in this role?
It means a lot to me. I’ve always enjoyed advocating for others, so this position gives me a bigger platform to use my voice and make an impact in the Coppin community. I’m proud to represent my HBCU because Coppin has given me so many opportunities to grow, and I want to give back to the university that has given so much to me.
What has your HBCU experience taught you?
Coppin has taught me that change is OK. A lot of my growth has come from the changes and experiences. The opportunities I’ve received at Coppin are things that freshman-year me probably never would have imagined. I’ve also learned that Coppin is more than just a university. It’s the community and family that you build while you’re here. The connections, support, traditions, and pride — you really have to experience it for yourself to understand. Those experiences and the people I’ve met have helped shape me into the person and leader I am today.
What initiative have you taken on as Mister Coppin that is especially personal or meaningful to you?
One initiative that has been especially meaningful to me is creating opportunities that can help other students grow and prepare for their future. For example, the S.T.O.M.P. to Success: Resume & LinkedIn Workshop was important to me because I want students to feel confident and prepared when it comes to professional opportunities. Being able to give back to students and create something that can benefit them is what makes this role so meaningful to me. Coppin has taught me the importance of giving back, and I want to make sure that while I’m here, I’m leaving a positive impact on the students around me.
