Miss Sierra Leone USA Interviewed on Leap of Faith Show

Hello world!!!

Yesterday morning, I was interviewed on the Leap of Faith show with Stubbs. The interview was at 7:30am, and I got up very early at 5am and headed to Washington, DC. I'm still trying to get used to getting up early and traveling to longer distances nationally since being crowned Miss Sierra Leone USA. Although it seemed very early for me and on little sleep, I looked forward to the interview. I met Stubbs a month ago at the Afrikan Goddess Awards, she took lots of interest in my work with girls and women, and invited me to her show.

On air interview on the Leap of Faith show

Me and Stubbs during the interview break

The Leap of Faith show is an online internet-based show that showcases gospel music, as well as promotes organizations and people that contribute to society's betterment. My interview was primarily focused on my work with girls and women. My interview lasted for 2 hours and talked about anything and everything. Stubbs asked me questions about what motivated me to start When You Believe Foundation, how relevant is faith to me in my daily endeavors and creating a platform about believing, managing my time with my busy schedule as a public figure and a full-time student, importance of networking, difference between living in the countries (Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and United States) I've lived in, seeking help when in need, women's body image and self-esteem, Womentorship Program, my MSLUSA personal platform, faith in God, Body Confident, Beautiful Me, importance of women's empowerment, life's challenges, etc.

Stubbs was such a phenomenal host, and is a woman whose spirit is full love and joy. She created a very comfortable atmosphere for me, helped me have a great experience, and gave me a beautiful start to my morning. May God continue to bless and enrich her personal and professional life. From my experience as a guest, I highly recommend many to get in touch with her and get featured on her show. It's a very encouraging and empowering outlet to promote businesses, events, artists, etc. Please stay logged in and listen to the Leap of Faith Network all day and everyday!!!

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Ruby B. Johnson
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA

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Give Back Through Service, It's Mandela Day

Hello world!!!

Hope your week has been splendid so far. Today is Mandela Day! Nelson Mandela International Day is dedicated to Madiba's life's work and activism in his native home of South Africa and globally, as well as maintaining his legacy. The campaign message of this day is that "Mr. Mandela gave 67 years of his life fighting for the rights of humanity. All we are asking that everyone gives 67 minutes of their time, whether it's supporting your chosen charity or serving your local community."

My personal platform as Miss Sierra Leone USA is advocating for SHERO, which I briefly explained in a previous blog entry. In SHERO, S is for service. Giving back and serving members of society has been one of the building blocks that has positively changed my attitude in life and growth to become the well-rounded woman that I am today. I believe that we as individuals must serve our communities no matter how much or less we have. I believe that community service is the lifelong payment that we must give during our time on Mother Earth. Service is essential in the growth of individuals when done for the right reasons due to selflessness and exudes one's potential. Also, by staying busy with service projects, it eradicates the existence of violence, idleness, and destruction among members of society.

Give a helping hand!

My passion for community service was gained in high school when I started volunteering at a camp for children with autism, and also when I was a student in African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation's Catching Up Program. As an active feminist, I decided to start my non-profit organization, When You Believe Foundation a year and half ago. In addition, I have been involved with several fantastic organizations that concentrate on topics such as autism awareness, domestic violence, education, sexism, self-esteem, heart health, increase in women in the STEM (science, math, technology, engineering) fields, etc.

There are many opportunities out there for volunteerism, and I highly recommend you all to seek knowledge and get involved. In my opinion, I think in order to perform well in tasks is to have passion; therefore, I recommend getting involved with service projects that are related to your areas of interest. Feel free to contact me if you need help with getting involved, I will be more than happy to send you several suggestions such as Womentorship Program.

P.S.: THANK YOU to our women and men that serve us in all works of life in the public and private sphere. I appreciate your contribution to the betterment of society.

Ruby B. Johnson
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA

SOURCE:
Mandela Day
Cultural Bridges
Mandela Day 2010
Mandela Day 2011
When You Believe Foundation

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[July 14] Miss Sierra Leone USA Weekend Update!!!

Hello world!!!

Hope your weekend is off to a great start! This weekend, I am in New Jersey attending Krio Descendant Union Northeast's Heritage Weekend. Tonight will be a banquet/dance, and there's a thanksgiving service and picnic tomorrow. This weekend's theme is "Cam leh wi ep wisef" in krio, which means "Let's unite and help each other." I am very excited to attend this event because Krio Descendants Union Global was my official sponsor for the Miss Sierra Leone USA Pageant. I look forward to meeting the members and to show them gratitude for their continuous support in my journey to the MSLUSA crown. KDU has shown me lots of support, and since arriving in NJ I have received nothing less than hospitality and warmth. I look forward to a great weekend.

Here are some photos of the view in my hotel room, and I got cupcakes (which was very yummy). Thank you, KDU!!!

TUNE IN ALERT!!!
This Wednesday, I will be the special guest on the Leap of Faith show hosted by Stubbs. Please log in and listen to my interview live. Topics will include being MSLUSA 2012, When You Believe Foundation, and many more.

Here's the promo video for my interview:

Have a great weekend!!!

Ruby B. Johnson
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA 2012

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Miss Sierra Leone USA Debuts on PageantLive

Hello world!!!

I've been doing a few media work the past few weeks. This past Saturday, I did a short interview on the Cool J and Sata Wurie Show on SLMTV Radio. Yesterday evening I had the opportunity to join the conversation on PageantLive. I spoke some about why I decided to get involved with the Miss Sierra Leone USA Women's Leadership and Scholarship Pageant, my platform, When You Believe Foundation, modeling experience, and many more. PageantLive is an online show in which titleholders discuss various topics related to pageantry. The ladies were all fantastic and I learned some interesting stuff from them, especially for a rookie like me in pageants. The setting was casual and it was very friendly and encouraging.

At the end of the show, I created a short PSA as MSLUSA 2012. I love the production and message I conveyed, but looking at the video I have some things I need to work on in my presentation.

Here's the video:

I plan to take part in more episodes to come. Here is the full broadcast of this week's show. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! My interview starts at 00:21:38

Have a great day!!!


Ruby B. Johnson
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA 2012

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What is S.H.E.R.O to Miss Sierra Leone USA?

Happy Sunday!!!

One of the reasons I decided to create this blog is to update everyone as my reign continues on how my platform develops. One of the pillars of being a Miss Sierra Leone USA Women's Leadership and Scholarship Pageant contestant is having a platform to work on. My personal platform is advocating for SHERO, which stands for Service, Health, Education, Rights, and Opportunities. The national platform of the MSLUSA organization is improving maternal and infant health in Sierra Leone.

2012 Miss Sierra Leone USA Pageant contestants

Before my involvement in this pageant system, my lifelong platform has been empowering girls and women in all communities. To build up on that, I decided to start my own non-profit organization in November 2010 called When You Believe Foundation, Inc. The mission of this organization is "to do outreach, raise awareness, provide assistance, enhance the lifestyle, promote self-sufficiency, and empower girls and women in our communities." Over the past year and half, WYBF has been nothing less than a blessing in my life because it has served as an opportunity to work and meet phenomenal girls and women in all works of life. Another platform that I have worked on since high school was advocating for autism awareness. Through volunteerism and blogging, I have been able to educate many about the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) because I believe that together we can all solve the puzzle.

Healthy Lifestyle For Her 2012 - Annual women's health event done by WYBF

SHERO. I chose this as my platform in the MSLUSA system because it covers five important pillars that is needed in the development of Sierra Leone. With service, I plan to promote and advocate service and volunteerism to all in the diaspora as well as native Sierra Leoneans back home. With health, I plan to create initiatives and means of outreach creating dialogue and actions towards physical and nutritional health among girls, women, youth, and the general community. Education is usually referred to as the key to success, but alongside with experience, I believe that both things are vital in women's advancement as well as community development. Rights and responsibilities are vital in order for the acknowledgement of self-worth. Opportunities must be created and used for the development of individuals and our community because I believe that we must lift others as we climb.

2012 MSLUSA Pageant contestants

In upcoming blog posts, I will get into further details about these 5 pillars of my platform, and also why they are personally significant.

I wish you all peace, courage, and many blessings. Have a fantastic week!!!

Ruby B. Johnson,
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA 2012

Photo courtesy:
Life Depicted Photography
When You Believe Foundation, Inc.
AfroFusion Lounge

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First 4 Days as Miss Sierra Leone USA!!!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phillipians 4:13. This is what I said to myself before the announcement of the Top 3 contestants on Sunday night. At the beginning of the pageant weekend, I prayed to the Almighty that I will do my part and work hard, and if it is the Lord's will for me to get the title on crowning night, then let thy will be done.

Announcement of Miss Sierra Leone USA 2012

It's been 4 days since I was crowned Miss Sierra Leone USA 2012, and I am slowly coming to consciousness of the title I have been given. A part of me is very honored and excited about this, and I couldn't be more proud to represent the land that I love, Republic of Sierra Leone, in the United States. However, another part of me is a bit anxious about the weight that this title carries. Former MSLUSA queens and contestants have raised the bar very high in the past years and I know that as a titleholder, I must do nothing less. But I know that I entered this pageant with a purpose, and during my reign by God's grace I will perform with excellence and nothing less.

If I could explain what this title means to me, I would say that having this title means that I serve as an ambassador for peace and empowerment for Sierra Leonean girls, women, youth, and the general community in the United States. Advocating for my platform, SHERO (Service, Health, Education, Rights, Opportunities), adds more purpose to my adventures as Miss Sierra Leone USA. In addition, I look forward to advocating on the national platform of the MSLDC/MSLUSA organization which is improving maternal and infant health in Sierra Leone.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2012 Top 3

"The ball is in your court. It's either you take it, or you let someone else take it" is something that Junior Miss Sierra Leone USA 2008, Janet Lagah-Bona, told me a month ago with regards to the MSLUSA pageant. The motivation and perseverance that I took from that quote is what I will continue to adhere to during my reign. I look forward to the blessings, accomplishments, opportunities, partnerships, and life-changing moments that are to come with this title as Miss Sierra Leone USA.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2012 Queens

Left to right: Fatmata Barrie (1st Runner-up),
Ruby B. Johnson - Miss Sierra Leone USA 2012-2014,
Adiatu Bangura (2nd Runner-up)

Photo courtesy of AfroFusion Lounge

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Hello World!!!

This is your Miss Sierra Leone USA 2012, Ruby B. Johnson. I was crowned on July 1st in Silver Spring (MD, USA) under the Miss Sierra Leone USA Women's Leadership and Scholarship Pageant. My platform is advocating for SHERO (Service, Health, Education, Rights, Opportunities). Please join and support me during my reign. More information about me, my platform, and adventures will soon be discussed. I wish you all peace, courage, and many blessings.

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