KEIA BROWN

MISS BLACK MARYLAND USA 2005

Keia Angela Brown is a full-time student at Harford Community College.  She is working towards an Associate’s degree in paralegal studies, and hopes to one day become a family law attorney.  Keia has acted in leading roles for films for SRI International of Arlington, VA, an HBO Emmy Award-winning Mini Series “The Corner” directed by Charles Dutton, two episodes of the hit TV Series “Homicide:  Life on the Streets”, TV Commercials for Colin Powell’s “America’s Promise”, DreamWorks Pictures’ “Head of State” starring Chris Rock, Lynn Whitfield and Bernie Mack, and a 2002 NAACP National Commercial.  She also recorded voice-overs for “Campaign for our Kids.”  Keia has worked as a casting intern with the Betsy Royale Casting Company.  From 2001-2003, Keia was a member of the DanceMoves Dance Troupe, and won several awards for her performances.  Keia has also been a runway model for major department stores.   In high-school, she served as junior class president, varsity basketball manager, and varsity track manager.  She was a member of the cheerleading squad and junior varsity tennis Team.  Keia was also active with the student government association.

Keia is the founder of HEAVEN SENT, a volunteer organization that has provided toys and school supplies to homeless and underprivileged children since 1996.  She has been an advocate for breast cancer awareness since the age of 9, and volunteers each year with the Maryland Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s “Race for the Cure.”  This year, with the help of the Maryland Komen Foundation she has launched a breast cancer teen awareness campaign – “TEENS CAN: Take the Challenge” – and she visits high schools around the state to educate teenagers about the importance of early prevention.  Keia has also raised money for “Caps for the Cure” to benefit Komen Maryland, volunteered with the “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” 5 Mile-Walk, and personally raised over $2000 for breast cancer research.  Keia has been recognized for her volunteer work in local newspaper articles and was featured in a full page article in her high school newspaper entitled “Marvelous Marvels – All American Mariner.”  She received the Violet Richardson Scholarship & Community Service Award from The Soroptimist International of Bel Air, The Good Samaritan Foundation Award (which recognizes those who step out of the crowd to help others), and the American Cancer Society Award for notable contributions to fundraising efforts.  Keia has a strong pageant history.  She has held the titles of Miss Active Teen Across Maryland 2000, Miss Phenomenal Teen 2001, Miss Teen Annapolis 2002, and Miss Teen Maryland International 2004.  In 2003, Keia was 1st runner-up to Miss Baltimore 2003.  In 2002, Keia attended the NAACP Reginald F. Lewis Entrepreneurial Youth Institute at Morgan State University, and won the 1st place gold award for her business plan.  She is listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students (2001, 2002, 2003), and has received awards for Academic Excellence and Outstanding Student Scholastic Achievement.