15 February 2007 23:46

UA grad is Miss Black Arizona USA
The newly named 2006-07 Miss Black Arizona USA, Ada Dieke, is more than just a dreamer. Dieke, who began her reign in December, wants to use her newly granted position to help black children dealing with issues of self-esteem, self-respect and self-worth. "I believe overcoming these challenges can be done through positive imagery,"

Dieke said. "It's important that all children, but in particular African-American children, see their true worth," she said. The 26-year-old University of Arizona graduate student moved to Tucson in 1994. The oldest of six children, Dieke said her parents instilled in her the importance of heritage — and that's what she plans to pass on to African and African-American children through her platform project R.E.V.I.V.A.L.

The purpose of R.E.V.I.V.A.L — Restoring Ego and Virtue in Visions of African Legacy: Celebrating the Beauty of the African Diaspora through Media, Music, Dance and Literature — is to highlight the Diaspora's positive contributions to society.

"It will enlighten kids about the impact people of African descent have had on the world and hopefully encourage them to creatively express themselves and increase their feelings of self-worth," she said.

Dieke believes this enlightenment will be of substantial use to children all across the globe.

She plans to promote her platform in The Gambia, West Africa, while representing Arizona as a delegate in the 2007 Miss Black USA Scholarship Pageant in June. She said it is equally important that she learn and expand the knowledge of her own heritage. "I want to learn as much as I want to teach," Dieke said.

Looking forward to meeting the people of The Gambia, Dieke is excited about learning about the culture, exchanging information and dispelling myths about people in the United States. "I want to get to know them and they me," she said.

Dieke said if she wins the scholarship pageant, she plans to travel to as many places as possible, promoting her plan of self-worth throughout the world.

"By seeing the contributions of other blacks — people who are working hard, doing the right things, contributing to communities — I believe kids will see that they, too, can be involved, encouraging and advocates for a positive future," Dieke said.