BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Board
The Executive Board is comprised of accomplished pageant veterans who bring a wealth of expertise and drive to the Foundation.  They are primarily responsible for foundation operations, pageant administration and the annual production of the event.  This Board is passionately committed to revitalizing the mission and governance of the Miss Black USA foundation while strengthening its core values of excellence, scholarship, integrity, diversity and community involvement.

     Rev. Yolanda Sampson (Chair of the Board)  - Rev. Yolanda Sampson was elected Chair of the Miss Black USA Board of Directors in January 2004, and manages all organizational operations including finance, media relations and executive producer of the annual pageant.  Rev. Sampson is an international speaker, motivator, and advocate for today’s youth.  She currently serves as the Interim Children/Youth Pastor at Takoma Park Baptist Church in Washington, DC and as the Principal Coordinator for Communications for the District of Columbia Baptist Convention.

As a former “Miss Black Virginia USA 1993,” “Miss Black World 1995,” and NFL Washington Redskins cheerleader, Rev. Yolanda Sampson received her Masters of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.  Recently, Rev. Sampson participated as a keynote speaker at a women’s conference held in Johannesburg, South Africa. More than 10 years ago, Rev. Sampson founded her own puppet ministry company - PuppeTainment Productions - which has toured across the nation as well as Europe and West Africa, receiving domestic and international acclaim.  Her “What Time Is It?” self-esteem/anti-drug use puppet video, carried by Blockbuster Video Stores, is “endlessly creative and pulls no punches,” according to Billboard Magazine.

     Nicola Black, LCSW-C  - (President) - As the new President of the Miss Black USA Scholarship Pageant, Nicola Black is tirelessly dedicated to bringing new relevance and prestige to the foundation.  As the official spokesperson of the corporation, she travels nationally to advance the corporation’s mission while reinforcing its impeccable character, strong corporate governance and advocacy on issues impacting African American women today. 

The former "Miss Black District of Columbia USA 1993” earned a Master's degree in Social Work from Howard University's Graduate School with a scholarship award that she received from the Miss Black USA Pageant. Today, she is a licensed clinical social worker and advocate for today's youth, while maintaining a successful career in television. The multi-talented actress and model is highly recognized for her role as the former "on camera" therapist for “BET's Teen Summit,“ and is a highly sought after "expert" on critical social issues affecting today's teens. Ms. Black has made guest appearances on numerous national television and news programs, including “The Montel Williams Show”. She has also written numerous articles, which have been published in several national publications including Teen People and Today's Black Woman magazines.

     Karen Lyew - (Executive Director, Pageant Relations) - As Executive Director of Pageant Relations, Karen Lyew oversees the national recruitment campaign and brings a unique, wholesome approach in managing/mentoring the pageant delegates from across the nation. Ms. Lyew is no stranger to pageantry, and understands the value of healthy competition, while fostering camaraderie among these dynamic young women.  She also ensures that the delegates uphold the highest ethical and legal standards required by pageant guidelines. 

The beauty pageant veteran began her pageant career at the tender age of 15 when she captured the title of “Miss Teen of the Nation.” Since then, she has built an impressive resume of pageant wins and honors, including finishing as a top five finalist in the Miss Virginia USA and Miss Maryland USA Pageants, capturing the Ms. Maryland International crown and placing 3^rd runner up at the national competition.   As an NBA dancer, she has consulted with and choreographed for leading NBA dance teams.  Ms. Lyew also served as the Official Spokesmodel for PepsiCo for ten years, touring with Ray Charles. During this time, she addressed many national audiences, including the Congressional Black Caucus and the Urban League.  Karen’s academic achievements are just as impressive as her pageant success, maintaining a 4.0 GPA while matriculating at Howard University in Washington, DC.  A strong community advocate, Karen founded the Bowne Kids Charity, which raised money to sponsor inner city youths’ annual summer camp program and summer internship program.

     Harold L. Arnold, PhD - Dr. Harold Arnold, Jr. is a social and organizational psychologist, inspirational speaker, and educator with a specific interest in improving organizational performance by maximizing developmental opportunities of its employees, volunteers, and other stakeholders.  Dr. Arnold has fifteen years of experience as a consultant, extensive experience in multi-level assessment and coaching, as well as expertise in quantiatative and qualitative research methodology.  Dr. Arnold has conducted considerable research on leadership development and multiculturalism in the organizational context especially as they pertain to the strategic and tactical decisions of managing a diverse workforce.  Complementing these interests is a passion for motivating audiences to maximally leverage educational opportunities in pursuing personal and organizational goals.

     Lynette L. Danley, PhD is a native of Chicago, IL.  A product of the inner-city, Dr. Danley has overcome the challenges of impoverished neighborhoods, domestic violence, as well as limitations placed on students who are Black, first-generation and low-income.  Dr. Danley earned a B.A. degree in African American Studies and English Literature at Western Illinois University.  She completed her Master of Science in Education Degree with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she was crowned Miss Black Iowa in 1995.  In December 2002, Lynette Danley earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies where she graduated with honors.  Currently, Dr. Danley is a Visiting Postdoctoral Research Associate and Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  
 
     Dr. Danley represented the state of Iowa and placed as a top ten finalist at the 1996 Miss Black USA Pageant.  As a result of her participation in the Miss Black USA Pageant, Dr. Danley has become more determined in her commitment to provide access and opportunity for women of color and is honored to join the new Miss Black U.S.A. Pageant Board of Directors.

     Viviane C. LaBorde, Esq. - Viviane C. LaBorde is an attorney specializing in Mergers and Acquisitions at the New York office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.  Originally from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Viviane obtained a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Emory University in Atlanta in 1994.  She then worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC for two years as an advisor to Congressman Chaka Fattah, a Democrat representing the second district of Pennsylvania.  In 1996, Viviane left Capitol Hill to attend the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she obtained her Juris Doctorate degree in 1999.  Viviane serves on several boards including the Studio Museum of Harlem and Girls Career Workshop, a non-profit that exposes at-risk New York City high school girls to a variety of career options and teaches them practical skills to help them attain their educational goals.

     Janell Inez Smith  - Since her crowning as "Miss Black Maryland 1993," the professional model and actress toured Europe as female lead vocalist with the group "Shalamar."  She performed in the National Stage Musical, "Talk Show Live", a David E. Talbert Production.  This past January, Janell played a supporting role in her first feature film with a star-studded cast which included Vivica A. Fox and Bill Bellamy.  Janell has also starred in the video release Movie "Misery Loves Company."  Janell has guest starred on television shows such as "CSI: MIAMI", "Less Than Perfect", "90210", "The Hughleys", "DAG", "Eve", and numerous national commercials. 

     Janell hosts her own cable television show in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area.  She is also a fashion designer of original ponchos.  The former "Miss Black Maryland 1993," resides in Los Angeles, CA with her husband Ira Lamonte Smith and two year old son Myles Lamonte.