Mrs. U.S. Beauties National Winner Juanita's Success Story & Appearance Photos.

Congratulations to our Juanita who is going to have a baby boy born this Spring.

 Photography By Dario Impini  

Lets support Juanita this next year as she travels and meets with many successful men & women whom she will inspire while representing her national title.

Juanita's Success Story: Juanita is devoted wife, loving mother, accomplished attorney and committed community servant. Juanita’s goal is to inspire women of all ages to have high levels of self-worth/esteem and self-efficacy. She is also passionate about promoting breast cancer awareness and education.

The meaning of “success” comes in many forms, and many definitions. Webster’s dictionary defines “success” as the attainment of accomplishments, wealth, position, honors, fame, rank or the like. While I have been blessed to accomplish many things in my life (including but not limited to obtaining an accounting degree, dual JD/MBA degrees, functioning as in-house counsel for a large corporation, serving as an adjunct professor of business law at a large university, being named an up & coming lawyer in 2007 and Who’s Who Among Black Indianapolis in 2006 and 2008), my definition of true success varies greatly from the traditional definition. I define success as living life victoriously and in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord. Such is the measuring stick that I utilize daily when evaluating the most important aspects of my life – faith, family, purpose and service!

 Success is having those closest to me love and respect me the most.

Family is the first institution created by God. . It is one of the most important areas of my life. My family and those closest to me see me more clearly than anyone else, flaws and all. In spite of those flaws, they continue to love and respect me, therefore, I feel truly successful, regardless of how others might see me. I have been blessed to be married to my husband Kynon for over 4 years now and in 2008, we welcomed the wonderful arrival of our daughter Kinsley into the world. I consider myself successful in the area of family not because I am perfect in all of my actions as spouse, mother, daughter, sister and friend, but because I am actively seeking God’s direction in these areas and diligently committed to following the precepts of His Word. Taking directives from the Source ensures success!

It is a blessing to have the opportunity to be a supportive and submitted wife; a loving and nurturing mother; a kind and thoughtful sister; a respectful and dependable daughter; and a loyal friend. Specifically and most recently, I have been blessed to have the opportunity to actively support my husband’s professional endeavors as he obtains a cross-continental MBA from DukeUniversity and serves as an interim HR leader for his company’s Puerto Rican affiliate. Supporting his success means shouldering a lot of the responsibility in caring for our daughter while also working full-time! In addition to the general day-to-day acts of mothering, I also have been able to successfully and exclusively breast-feed our daughter for an entire year! I know that in this area of my life, I have been able to succeed due to the guidance of God’s Word. When my daughter looks at me and smiles. I can see the unconditional love in her eyes for me. Her sincerity makes me feel like a queen everyday. Last night, Kinsley's entire face lit up with a radiant smile as I walked into the room. This morning, my husband looked at me with love in his eyes, silently telling me I'm a beautiful wife and mother. I'm blessed with a family that reflects the God given beauty within me.

Service and Purpose

Success is creating a transparent life of purpose and authenticity while serving others.

Someone once said that the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. This has certainly proven true for myself as I have come to realize that real success is not based on one’s salary or certain level of income or possessions, but rather it is effectively using your God-given talents and abilities to fulfill your purpose. I am passionate about promoting increased self-esteem and self-efficacy amongst women of all ages. I have been fortunate enough to work with several organizations with missions that are focused on the same such as Dress For Success, Girl’s Inc., the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Inc. and the Indiana Healthy Marriage and Family Coalition, to name a few. I have been blessed with the opportunity to speak to women of all ages, status and backgrounds regarding their self-worth and the trajectory of their lives, both personal and professional. I pray that I have many more opportunities to inspire women to have high levels of self-worth/esteem and self-efficacy, which in turn leads to more balanced and full lives.

In addition to encouraging women to increase self- esteem and self-efficacy, I am also deeply passionate about promoting breast cancer education and early detection. Earlier this year, a close family member was diagnosed with breast cancer and she emphasized to me the importance of early detection. It is only because of early detection that she is doing well today, and has completed her treatments and reconstructive surgeries. I am passionate about emphasizing the importance of early detection. So often, women buckle their children up when they get to the car, but they forget to exercise that same sort of diligence with their health. Committing oneself to a monthly self-exam is vitally important. The most important message to women is that early detection is so incredibly critical; it can be the difference between life and death. In addition to early detection, it is also important to bring to light the extensive supportive services that are needed, from pain management, to counseling to dealing with lawyers. I have and will continue to educate women who are going through this challenging and difficult time about their legal rights as it relates to insurance. So often, women who are battling this disease also have to fight with insurance companies regarding their treatment. I view the crown and position that I have as a catalyst that affords me the opportunity to voice the needs of breast cancer patients everywhere, to ensure that they have access to everything they need to provide them with the highest quality of life.

Being selected as Mrs. U.S. Beauties 2009 has been more than winning a title to me- it is truly an opportunity to stand on a national stage for ALL women…standing as a beacon of inspiration, transparency, authenticity, courage, and strength. 

 Junaita's Candid Official Crown / Banner Photo Shoot Pictures

Photos By Dario Impini 

I attended the unveiling ceremony for Who's Who in Black Indianapolis 2009.  I was recognized as a community leader in the 2009 edition of Who’s Who in black Indianapolis.  Chronicling more than 370 highly-profiled African- American dignitaries and professionals, the Who’s Who Publishing Company features individuals who have made a difference in the city and the surrounding area.  The publication has been around for over 50 years and remains dedicated to the goal of illuminating the true power of diversity by affording a measure of recognition to the men and women who have made their mark in their professions, occupations, or in service to others in their community. The publication also serves to record, inspire, and memorialize history in order to reinforce the impact of their achievements for the readers. It was an honor to be selected again this year, and particularly for my work in the community and affiliation with the U.S. Beauties National Pageant System. 

 Mrs. U.S. Beauties National Winner Juanita Ingram: announcement for this national and historic event. I had the honor of being asked to be the honorary guest for the private premier here in Indianapolis.  "The Princess and The Frog," will finally become the first Disney animated movie using an African-American princess.  A musical set in the legendary birthplace of jazz - New Orleans - The Princess and the Frog will introduce the newest Disney princess, Tiana (voiced by Anika Noni Rose), a young African-American girl living amid the charming elegance and grandeur of the fabled French Quarter. This movie has been applauded in the national media and addresses the identified need of diversity in various media forms.  I will be presenting each of the girls that will attend with their own special crown and celebrate the princess in each and every young lady in attendance.  I will be sure to take pictures during the event.

Juanita's Press Releases

http://photos.indystar.com/photos/340437

http://www.indystar.com/article/20091215/NEWS07/912150344/1037/NEWS07/Youngsters-are-royalty-for-a-day

Personal Appearances

 Mrs. U.S. Beauties National Winner Juanita Ingram had the privilege of being the celebrity co-host, along with Al Reynolds, for the Dress For Success Baltimore's 2nd Annual Fashion Show "Steppin' Out In Style".  Dress For Success' fundraising mission is to supply low-income women with the necessary business clothing to reenter the job market.  Their core values are that self-sufficiency helps women gain access to the most fundamental of human rights: social and economic freedom!  This year the fashion show fundraiser was held at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco on September 26th, 2009.  The event was a huge fundraising success!

Thank You Dress For Success Baltimore Founder / CEO Cleona Garfield for having our Mrs. U.S. Beauties National Winner Juanita hosting at your prestigious event.