DMV native and tech founder Ryann Richardson has a secret, and if you’ve watched her TED Talk, you already know. “I’m what you might call a beauty queen,” she tells the audience.
The 50th Anniversary Miss Black America admits she used to hide her “hobby” of competing in pageants. But then she learned the power beauty can hold and how owning that truth translates to business.
Growing up with politically sound parents and playing in the dirt, Richardson classified herself as a civically-engaged tomboy.
“I mean I was out there playing football,” Richardson told The Block.
She was not bound by the gendered norms that boxed young people in, and instead she leaned into her possibilities at a young age.
While most believe people are simply a product of their environment, Richardson’s current life and career in tech and activism weren’t shaped by all that surrounded her. Instead, she was taught to believe and know that the universe is much larger that it appears to be. Though it is not lost on her that the great diversity in her socioeconomic status was privilege, she recognizes that Black wealth is an exception, that Black opportunity is an exception (though It shouldn’t be).
So when her cousin dared her to compete in a beauty pageant because they didn’t believe she could do it, Richardson’s competitive spirit took over. Richardson went on to become Miss Philadelphia (America) and then succeed Miss DC USA 2017 (after the previous winner became Miss USA) and ultimately became the 50th Miss Black America.
Yet some of her greatest accomplishments became some of her greatest professional secrets.
“I don’t lead with my pageant identity, especially not in the tech industry,” she explained.
In the beginning of her career, Richardson felt it important to separate her tech identity from her pageant identity. This was mostly born from the notion that her pageant identity would eclipse any part of her professional self. But through the years, Richardson’s wisdom led her to reconcile the two realities, not just for herself, but for the skeptics.
“These are not competing interests,” she said.
“Why is it that beauty is the one vehicle of power that gets to be vilified?”
Ryann Richardson
There is no clear answer on who decided women had to pick between being smart and being beautiful, but Richardson has made it a point to show both can co-exist.
As we try to understand the social attitudes around beauty, it’s crucial to understand beauty is a vehicle for power. This is part of the heart of what Richardson speaks on. Society works to misconstrue the use of beauty, and it wants to suggest beauty is unimportant, yet it’s a fundamental power that we get to exercise.
Beauty is power and it doesn’t nullify credibility or intelligence. It doesn’t make you any less you in your chosen field.
While many people outside of the pageant community seem to suggest pageants objectify women, Richardson and her “sisters” will still argue that every aspect of every competition translates to everyday life. Confidence is born on stage or in the interview room and then shows up again when you’re pitching a business idea, applying for college or asking for a raise.
Can pageants demean women? Sure. However, it’s about the intention and the foundation of the activity that determines how it will treat its participants. Women in pageantry know what they are walking into, because they recognize their beauty is power—and their beauty can mean change.
How to Start Using Your Beauty for More
Richardson first suggests you get comfortable being uncomfortable. There will be times where you are the first and the only—and you need to be okay with that. Someone will always need to be first and there is no reason it can’t be you. Your presence is necessary in every space. “So remember, when you get there, be there and then hold the door open.”
Richardson first suggests you get comfortable being uncomfortable. There will be times where you are the first and the only—and you need to be okay with that. Someone will always need to be first and there is no reason it can’t be you. Your presence is necessary in every space. “So remember, when you get there, be there and then hold the door open.”
“Have the audacity of a man… actually have the audacity of a white man. Because I was audacious enough to get into the next room, I am now in rooms with billionaires. Have audacity.”
Ryann Richardson
“The ‘work harder to be successful’ attitude is the product of people who have achieved moderate success,” Richardson added. The truly successful people are working smarter and building better systems. Working hard will get your far, but don’t deny your rest and revival period.
Richardson wants every young, Black woman to know nothing is unattainable. You might not know how to attain it, but you do the research and look into your network to find the mentors and advisors to get you there.
“If you are part of a historically-marginalized group … do not let that stop you from wanting more,” Richardson said. “Who decided it was impossible for you?”
To continue to be encouraged, be sure to follow Ryann on Instagram or check our her website.
