I've always been the sole Creator/ CEO OF MMI PAGEANTRY. I would never consider a co-owner again at this point. I would certainly take on advice from time to time but having a co-owner was not in my interest. The competition would be on Father's Day weekend once again which was out of my control because ODU theater in Norfolk Virginia had availability on that particular weekend so as much as I didn't want to consider, as a decision was to have it the second weekend of June permanently, I had to take what was available.

 

Presentation would be in (RED) this particular year. ALL FOUR OF THE LADIES WOULD BE STUNNING IN RED! The decision to choose a certain color as in the past presentation was in fuchsia. I would select a different color each year for presentation. This worked for some time and then I felt it was time to change this concept. I will explain when and why once were there.

 

This year are contestants would include Amber Starr, Tamisha Iman, Tyra Fields and Syria Synclaire. Now although a small number of contestants, these ladies were all well known and respected in our community. I would have been happy to have any of them as MMI. I will be honest as I was a little concerned about Tamisha but I had never worked with her and she seemed to be pleasant. She was strongly encouraged to compete by her son, MICHAEL IMAN (RIP).

 

Tamisha would wear a black feather and patent leather creative ensemble and would walk the runway to the music of (hip hip chin chin). She would also wear a gown that was covered in green tree branches. She would further do a solo talent (DANCING LIKE NO TOMORROW) where she would dance a hole through the stage.

 

She would become Miss Models Inc 2010. The take-home crown would arrive 13 days prior to the competition and it would be completely broken. ALLEN'S CROWNS in Hattiesburg Mississippi had a policy to where you had to return the item for them to actually do a visible investigation prior to replacing (IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO GET THE REPLACEMENT) prior to the pageant so Miss Models Inc would have to be crowned with the National Crown of which this would be customary and she would perform directly after her deemed name was announced but she would NOT take the crown with her. She would also remain in Virginia for the annual MMI review show of which was designed to be the representatives first booking as MMI. I was grateful because DUVAL would be the very next day and her being a former would have been a duty for her. I was very compassionate towards this decision and was very thoughtful of her.

 

I thought it only to be fair because she would not have a crown to take home, it would be as fair to allow her to have the National Crown in lieu of waiting for the take-home Crown to be remade. Now I won't go into a lot of details because there were many and I don't believe in rehatching things from the past and ONLY mentioning certain things based upon historical reasons. We have a contract here at MMI and it's very detailed and operates to assist BOTH parties. She made a decision to relinquish her duties and were accepted by MMI. Now it was necessary to receive the National Crown so we handled our business and the crown was ordered to be returned with no request of monetary compensation.

 

I would just say we were two individuals whom believed in our reputations and protecting our brand. Now in hindsight I believe our separation was for the betterment to both of us. I have always wished her nothing but the best in all her endeavors. I believe we have resolve.

Why the MMI Devastator: Tamisha TRULY devastated the contestants that night.

Why the MMI Rewind: I simply wanted to do a REWIND of what transpired hence the name. This was never personal, I just felt it was time to REWIND.

 

The Take-home Crown: Black and clear stones with the logo with year of the representative along with the custom pendant to match.

 

The National Crown: Black and clear stones with logo silhouetted in center with MMI National embedded. This again would only be worn for a National appearances or warranted appearances.

 

AMBER would not be new to MMI as she had competed the prior year and received 1st alternate to Ebonee aka Toya Washington and took a chance in returning and received 1st alternate again. I thought long and hard regarding asking her to take on the title as MMI because I really don't believe in relinquishments or dethroning (although I understand the purpose). I would speak with Amber by phone in detail asking if she would consider taking on the title as MMI in August 2010.

 

She was very excited and without hesitation told me yes. I wanted to wait until the replacement "take home crown" was available prior to setting a photo shoot. I knew it was very important to display her in the best light possible hence the reason why I once again would solicit (MASTER PHOTOGRAPHER) Vizal Tio Lavoie of which we would set a date to send her to Texas an solicited hair/makeup because I did not want her to deal with those duties and just be relaxed. Exclusive hair stylist/makeup artist (RED) would be recommended and selected. I asked Amber to keep this a secret until we formally announced her. SHE KEPT THAT SECRET. I would make formal announcements on carriefairfeld and myspace as these two online platforms were where we advertised as Facebook was fairly new and I didn't utilize it's platform as of yet. Amber would also have an additional photo shoot later during her reign.

 

Amber was like a breath of fresh air. I really enjoyed her. I loved her admiration for the artform and her compassion for fashion. I WAS SO EXCITED TO SEE HER ENTERTAIN. She would dance a building into a frenzy and walk around looking stunningly beautiful as if she didn't lift a finger. She would also take on a complimentary booking here in Norfolk to where she assisted in raising money for children with disabilities. This was something requested at the last minute and she gave of her talents. I WAS SO IMPRESSED AND GRATEFUL.

I've had many fun memories but if I had to select (ZIEGFELDS, GODFREYS, RAINBOW CACTUS, PERRY'S BRUNCH). She further worked in Memphis Tennessee at a club of which I can't remember the name. I WILL TELL YOU (MEMPHIS LOVED MOTHER STARR). When she graced the stage you would have thought they saw a GODDESS. She's a founding Mother of the STARR family and respected as such. LEGENDS Jon Parks and Mercedes Douglas would fall in love with Amber and would tell me I could bring her back there ANYTIME. Jon Parks would further state she could come once a month. SHE WAS SUCH A DELIGHT TO BOOK. When I would book her it was ALWAYS a guaranteed return.

Amber would take part in MBA, SWEETHEART INTERNATIONAL, MBU, CONTINENTAL, UTOPIA, UNIVERSAL LATINA AND EOY. Natasha Braxton would also approach me this year regarding a MMI Newcomer division and although initially I was not on board and had to take some time to think about it (I DECIDED TO GIVE IT A TRY). I only put in one request and this was to name it (MMI NEWBY) as I wanted MMI to always have its own SIGNATURE. I will spotlight "MMI NEWBY" division as a whole on this Wednesday with all of the former Representatives.

 

We would loss the Legendary, Amber Starr on March 23rd 2016 and was sad and also honored the picture selected by many through Facebook would be one from her original photo shoot. We would honor her with the "MMI FASHION AWARD" that year of which has been given to date to recipients along with her memorialize 24/36 picture within our displays yearly. We will NEVER forget you here at MMI and your LEGACY will live with us.