MEET OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF JUDGES
In the Hot Seat
Jamila Toussaint, J.D.
Jamila Toussaint, a Minneapolis native, shines as a blend of beauty, intellect, and a passion for holistic wellness. Crowned Ms. Black Minnesota 2020 and Ms. Black USA 2021—her first pageant experience—Jamila graduated magna cum laude from Howard University, majoring in Cultural Communications and Sociology. She later earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia School of Law.
A model, actress, and certified yoga instructor, Jamila advocates for holistic health through her Trap Yoga and Chill Skillz program, empowering youth with meditation, yoga, and journaling to tackle stress and depression.
James Lewis
James E. Lewis is an award-winning actor, voice artist, and the Executive Producer of Talktime Voiceover Studios. With nearly two decades of experience, James has dedicated his career to mentoring and producing the next generation of voice talent. Audiences will recognize his television work from hit series like The Wire, We Own This City, and Power Book III: Raising Kanan.
As a prominent voiceover artist, his dynamic vocal talents are featured in national commercial campaigns for major brands like Ricola, Wrangler, and Airheads, as well as massive gaming franchises including Fallout 3, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6. Through his studio, James empowers aspiring performers to build confidence, sharpen their craft, and reach their full creative potential.
Dr. Estenia Goodridge
Dr. Goodridge is the Founder of The Cultural Presence (TCP), Adjunct Lecturer, and the Chief Ettiquette Officer for Miss Black USA. Dr. Goodridge brings the culture to etiquette. dedicated to fostering a world where etiquette serves as a bridge that transcends boundaries, allowing cultures to flourish and redefining the art of treating both others and oneself with enduring grace.
The Cultural Presence is the leading training ground for equipping young women of color with soft skills such as leadership, social etiquette, business etiquette, dining etiquette, and character development preparing them for an ever-evolving global world. Ever since she was a young girl, Estenia has always been a lover of etiquette. Exposed by her mother to Jane Austen and other Regency era films, she first took notice of the mannerisms and etiquette of their day.