Chances are, you aren’t familiar with the name Krystal Milam, but you should be. Milam, at just 14-years-old, is the first African-American female to be crowned Miss Buckeye State Teen America in her home state of Ohio.  The Cleveland native is now set to compete in the Miss Teen America pageant in April 2012 inTennessee.  If crowned Miss Teen America, she’ll be the first African-American female to do so.  Milam described to FEARLESS how it feels to hold her current title and the platform that she wants to use to inspire the youth.

I feel very honored, blessed, and excited to be the first African-American female to hold the Miss Buckeye State Teen America title and to be in the running to be Miss Teen America. It takes a fearless and courageous person to be first to do something, because it’s not easy. There’s always criticism from some direction, but when you’re qualified and you know you’re qualified, nothing can bring you down. I believe in the power of my intelligence and the things that my family has instilled in me, and that is what makes my voice and presence so strong. I am a very hard worker because I know first that things are not given to you, you must earn them. I carry a 4.8 grade point average, I will graduate high school at the age of 16, and I sit on a number of committees and some I’m even President of. I’m certainly not a stranger to being the first or youngest to do something.

I love being an inspiration to others! My platform is inspiring youth to achieve their goals, follow their dreams, and to take an initiative on social issues. I am so passionate about this topic that I’ve founded The Dream Aspiration Foundation with this same mission. I am showing youth that persistence, perseverance and hard work really does pay off! I am also inspiring other young ladies and people affiliated with pageants that it is important that we use our “influence to make a difference.”  We are more than just beautiful faces and figure heads; we have a message and it is important that we make sure it is heard.

I live FEARLESSLY through my fashion, my speaking and my talents.

Krystal Milam

By: Brittney Fennell