CLAUDIA HELENE ANTHONY

MISS BLACK GEORGIA USA 2005

I was born July 5, 1979 in Syracuse, New York, and raised by my mother Stephanie Ashton-Anthony in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with my two sisters and one brother. During my grade school years, I became an overachiever. I joined the church choir at Little Rising Sun BC, became a junior usher, competed in city-wide talent shows with my sister, joined the Varsity cheerleading squad, played the violin, volunteered at the Y.M.C.A, ran with my school and summer track teams (K-Y and Duane Street Track Club) qualifying for the Junior Olympics 94-97, and started a youth organization called YOUTH IN POWER (I even wanted to vote at the age of 14yrs).          

 After receiving my high school diploma from McKinley Sr. High School in 1997, I accepted a track and field Scholarship at Southern University of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During our team reign as SWAC Indoor and Outdoor Champions, I found the time to cross register at L.S.U.  in order to broadened my curriculum in Theatre Arts and Humanities. In 2001, I received my B. A. in Theatre from Southern University. My goal after graduation was to run at least one year of professional track and someday own a performing arts school having a professional theatre within. Post graduation, I competed in the 800 meter for the USATF Nationals Trails, toured performing Children’s Theater with Playmakers, became a substitute teacher and taught in a Y.M.C.A. mentoring program. I was crowned Miss. Y.M.C.A 2001, my Platform allowed me to teach Techniques of Theatre, and become counselor at Camp Dudley Y.M.C.A. in Westport, New York. In Westport, I worked the box office and performed at The Depot Theatre. I then moved to New York City, to get exposure in the “City of Theatre”, performed Off-Broadway, walked during Fashion Week, started a book, became a fit model, worked the box office at The Riverside Theatre, trained at New York Sports Club, and worked as a part-time hostess.  

New York City life brought me home to the sweet city of Atlanta, Georgia where my father Lewis Anthony Sr., “second mother” Evelyn Anthony, brothers, nephew and sisters have called home for years. When I arrived, I knew that theatre wasn’t going to pay the bills as they did in New York City, so I’ve taken it slow. The Horizon Theater in Little Five Points, Atlanta Is where I started, I perform and work in the box office. I enjoy working in the grassroots of professional theatre on the Non-Profit Level so I’ve also teamed up and performed with Atlanta’s own Jack in the Black Box. My Platform as Miss. Black Georgia U.S.A. is to involve more students in YOUTH IN POWER an organization built on informing youth about their civil rights while giving them the motivation to succeed through the Arts.  

I am a member of the Metropolitan chapter of the USATF Association, Southern University Alumni Atlanta Chapter, volunteer and donor for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund ©, Children’s Miracle Network ©, Make A Wish Foundation ©, St. Jude Hospital ©, Louisiana Public Broadcasting System ©, Georgia Public Broadcasting System ©, American Cancer Society-Relay for Life ©, and The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America ©

"I believe that we were all given gifts in life, we just have to give them". –C.H.A.