A vibrant new cultural celebration is making its debut in Airdrie this summer. On August 1, Bert Church LIVE Theatre will play host to the inaugural finale of the Caribbean & African Canada Pageant, an initiative aimed at elevating underrepresented voices, building confidence, and spotlighting the rich heritage of women and young girls from Caribbean and African backgrounds.
The ambitious project is spearheaded by Airdrie’s own Sydonne Warren, who serves as the executive director of Caribbean Canada Pageants. Warren is a decorated figure in the pageant world, having previously held titles such as Mrs. Calgary 2020 and 2021, and Mrs. Canada Globe 2023. She also brings extensive industry expertise as the show director and choreographer for Mrs. Canada Inc. and World Universal Pageants, as well as the director for Caribbean & African countries for Ms. World Universal.
For Warren, bringing this new initiative to life in the community she lives in is deeply personal. Despite her own success, she recognized a distinct need for more diversity within the industry.
“My goal is to create a platform for Caribbean and African-Canadian Women and girls to showcase their Intelligence, beauty and personality on a grand stage,” she says.
“I also want to increase the number of Caribbean and African women in the pageant industry.”
The event is designed to be highly inclusive, built for girls as young as seven, all the way to women who are 30 and older. The event can accommodate up to 60 people, with participants separated by age divisions. These categories include:
- Miss Jr Caribbean Canada and Miss Jr Africa Canada (age 7 to 10)
- Miss Jr Teen Caribbean Canada and Miss Jr Teen Africa Canada (age 11 to 14)
- Miss Teen Caribbean Canada and Miss Teen Africa Canada (age 15 to 18)
- Miss Caribbean Canada and Ms. Africa Canada (age 19 to 29)
- Ms. Caribbean Canada and Ms. Africa Canada (age 30 and older)
Contestants will be judged on four distinct criteria:
- Personality presentation (adults only)
- Cultural wear
- Evening gown
- On-stage Q&A
Rather than focusing solely on competition, the pageant places a heavy emphasis on personal growth. Warren is overseeing preparation to ensure the experience is welcoming to newcomers.
“Representation is important and can inspire other women to try out modelling, pageants, public speaking and community leadership,” she says.
“I’ve included training sessions to make the pageant accessible to first timers and will be mentoring all participants.”
She adds that contestants learn pageant walking, public speaking, stage presence, how to improve overall confidence and how to better connect with their community. All winners will move on to internationals at World Universal Pageants.
“Pageants like this challenge women to put aside their fears and try something new, put themselves on a public platform, volunteer and connect with their community, and promote general self-improvement,” says Warren.
“Women also get to meet other likeminded women and often form bonds.”
The community is invited to support these women and girls as they make history in our city. It promises to be an unforgettable evening of glamour, culture, and empowerment.
To learn more or register, visit caribbeancanadapageants.com. To buy tickets to the pageant, visit tickets.airdrie.ca.
