CELI MARIE DEAN

MISS BLACK USA 2005

Celi Marie Dean (see-lee) born in Minneapolis, Minnesota was named after her grandmother who originated from Liberia (West Africa).  Destined to succeed, Celi won her first pageant, Miss Minnesota Princess 1993, at age 8.  Her accomplishments continued, including the Miss Minnesota Pre-Teen 1996, Miss Minnesota Junior Teen 2000, Miss Minnesota International Teen 2004, and now she is proudly representing Minnesota as Miss Black Minnesota USA 2005.  Pageants opened many doors for her to reach out to her community where she is very active.  Radio, television, newspaper interviews, appearances and local schools, keep her busy speaking on her platform “Education-A Degree of Importance”.  Setting an example for her siblings as well as other youth, Celi makes it her top priority to emphasize the importance and seriousness of having a good education.  She produced a brochure, which offers information and encourages youth to set goals, eat healthy, get involved in their community and make relationships with teachers and other mentors.  She also created an essay contest called “Queen for the Day”, giving African-American girls in grades 9-12 the opportunity to compete for the title of “Black Academic Princess”. This is just another way she can reach out and promote her platform as well as promote the positive impact in which pageantry can have in a young woman’s life. 

Modeling, acting, and dance also contribute to her being a confident and poised young woman.  Being active in church, holding leadership positions such as president of Black Achievers, spokesmodel for the YMCA, and Mentor/Tutor of a young African-American girls’ group are just a few of her contributions.  Celi’s most rewarding accomplishment to date has been her partnership with Wal-Mart and The Children’s Miracle Network, which helped raise over 1 million dollars. 

Celi is a junior at the University of Minnesota.  She is preparing for a degree in Family Social Sciences and currently on the Dean’s list.  Ms. Dean is an ambassador for the University of Minnesota’s General College, however, her greatest passion is writing poetry. Celi will share a poem about her life, as a young African-American woman for the talent portion of the Miss Black USA pageant in August in Washington, D.C.  Although she has accomplished a great deal at such a young age, Celi says her greatest accomplishment is yet to come!  Who knows? It could be being crowned Miss Black USA 2006!