Miss Blind Diva Logo: a young business woman with a stylish business casual outfit and a crown on her head. She is holding a cane, a green suitcase, and is surrounded by beautiful multi-color butterflies.

2026 Application & Information Page

Celebrate a decade of confidence, talent, advocacy, and Blind Excellence at the Ms. Blind Diva Empowerment Pageant 2026! 👑

This 10-year anniversary celebration, the Ms. Blind Diva “Unbreakable” Edition, uplifts blind and visually impaired women who have proudly owned their stories and their power; honors, past, and present queens and allies, and sets the tone for new queens to lead our pageant system into its next decade and beyond!

 

Your ticket purchase supports Eyes Like Mine INC.’s mission to provide resources and opportunity, and promote independence and public awareness. 🌟Your participation helps create a stage where ability, voice, and community shine clearly for all.

Join us for two full and fulfilling days of celebration, at two venues true to Newark's whimsical, illustrious history

Day 1: Competition Day: The Robert Treat Hotel

Day 2: Awards & Crowning Banquet: Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Branch Brook Park

We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Get your Tickets Now!

COULD THIS BE YOU?

Rosalyn Kennedy
Ms. Blind Diva
ms.blinddiva2024@eyeslikemine.org

Ms. Blind Diva Empowerment
Pageant

This is the ultimate title holder of the Pageant. She receives a crown with case, pageant sash, cash prize, media  opportunities virtually or in person, a photoshoot experience, congratulatory flower arrangement, blinged out cane, complimentary gown, blinged out custom sneakers, and various public appearance opportunities. Her responsibilities include actively serving as the primary ambassador of the Pageant. She will hold her title for one year as long as she remains in good standing. She will travel independently to assigned appearances. She will facilitate a virtual workshop during a scheduled Empower Hour highlighting tips to succeed in winning the ultimate title! She will participate in Eyes Like Mine Inc. signature events such as the annual Marvelous Moms Community Baby Shower, Dancing with the Blind, and the Pageant. She will participate in team building activities, fundraising efforts, community service efforts, and handpicking the crown for her successor as titleholder. She will nominate 2 candidates
to participate as a contestant for the coming pageant production.

Sounds like you? Scan the QR Code or apply at: bit.ly/pageant25

Rosalyn pageant recruitment flyer
Rosalyn pageant recruitment flyer

COULD THIS BE YOU?

Rosalyn Kennedy
Ms. Independent
ms.blinddiva2024@eyeslikemine.org

Ms. Blind Diva Empowerment
Pageant

She is the video entry winner with the highest votes on her Ms. Independent video submission revealed the night before pageant day. She will keep her title for one year. She will receive a crown and case, pageant sash, flower arrangement, a piece of technology, a small cash prize, a photoshoot experience, media  opportunities virtually or in person. Her responsibilities include actively serving amongst the court of titleholders secondary to the ultimate titleholder as one of the ambassadors of the Pageant. She will hold her title for one year as long as she remains in good standing. She will travel independently to assigned appearances. She will participate in Eyes Like Mine Inc.
signature events such as the annual Marvelous Moms Community Baby Shower, Dancing with the Blind, and the Pageant. She will participate in team building activities, fundraising efforts, community service efforts, and handpicking the crown for her successor as titleholder. She will facilitate a virtual workshop during the contestant Empower Hour highlighting tips to succeed in the Ms. Independent video challenge. She will nominate 2 candidates to participate as a contestant for the coming pageant production.

Sounds like you? Scan the QR Code or apply at: bit.ly/pageant25

COULD THIS BE YOU?

Krystle Boateng
Director’s Choice
directorschoice2024mbed@eyeslikemine.org

Ms. Blind Diva Empowerment
Pageant

She is handpicked by the pageant director for her excellent participation the night of the pageant during the crowning ceremony.
She will receive a crown with a case, congratulatory flower arrangements, and a pageant sash. Her responsibilities include actively serving as an ambassador of the Pageant. She will hold her title for one year as long as she remains in good standing. She will travel independently to assigned appearances. She will participate in Eyes
Like Mine Inc. signature events such as the annual Marvelous Moms Community Baby Shower, Dancing with the Blind, and the Pageant. She will participate in team building activities, fundraising, community
service efforts, and handpicking the crown for her successor as titleholder. She will facilitate a virtual Empower Hour workshop highlighting tips of success to be selected Director’s Choice to all contestants. She will nominate 2 candidates to participate as a contestant for the coming pageant production. She will handpick and
crown the succeeding director’s choice on the eve of the pageant.

Sounds like you? Scan and apply at: bit.ly/pageant25

Rosalyn pageant recruitment flyer
Rosalyn pageant recruitment flyer

COULD THIS BE YOU?

Deborah Fitzgerald
Ms. Altruistic
ms.altruistic2024mbed@eyeslikemine.org

Ms. Blind Diva Empowerment
Pageant

She will be selected the night of the pageant for her community service efforts in a video submission viewed exclusively by the pageant panel of judges. She will be selected based on timely submission, the impact of her service project, and her community service initiatives throughout her contestant involvement. She will keep her title for one year. She will receive a crown with case, pageant sash, a small cash prize, congratulatory flower arrangement, and a plaque recognizing her community commitments. Her responsibilities include actively serving as the community service ambassador of the court of titleholders in the Pageant. She will participate in Eyes Like Mine Inc. signature events such as the annual Marvelous Moms Community Baby Shower, Dancing with the Blind, and the Pageant. She will participate in team building activities, fundraising efforts, community service efforts, and handpicking the crown for her successor as titleholder. She will pick a community service initiative for the whole court of titleholders to participate in before their titleholder year ends. She will facilitate an Empower Hour workshop for the contestants highlighting community service platforms to consider once the contestant is selected as a titleholder. She will nominate 2 candidates to participate as a contestant for
the coming pageant production.

Sounds like you? Scan and apply at: bit.ly/pageant25

COULD THIS BE YOU?

Belinda Banks
Ms. Photogenic
ms.photogenic2024mbed@eyeslikemine.org

Ms. Blind Diva Empowerment
Pageant

She will be announced during the crowning ceremony on pageant day. The contestant with the most votes on the Eyes Like Mine Inc. website will assume the Ms. Photogenic title for one year. She will receive half of the cash prize accumulated on the website. This is a people’s choice
recognition anyone near or far can participate in online prior to pageant day and during the pageant production. The winning contestant will be crowned and receive a pageant sash, congratulatory
flower arrangements. Her responsibilities include actively serving as an ambassador within the court of titleholders of the Pageant. She will participate in Eyes Like Mine Inc. signature events such as the annual Marvelous Moms Community Baby Shower, Dancing with the Blind, and the Pageant. She will participate in team building activities, fundraising efforts, community service efforts, and handpicking the crown for her successor as titleholder. She will facilitate an Empower Hour workshop highlighting tips to succeed within the Ms. Photogenic contest in the pageant. She will nominate 2 candidates
a contestant for the coming pageant production.

Sounds like you? Scan and apply at: bit.ly/pageant25

Rosalyn pageant recruitment flyer
Rosalyn pageant recruitment flyer

THE MISS BLIND DIVA EMPOWERMENT PAGEANT

Featuring 2024 MISS BLIND DIVA & MISS INDEPENDENT – ROSALYN KENNEDY

Get ready to ignite your passion and share your inspiring journey at our 9th Annual Empowerment Pageant organized by Eyes Like Mine Inc.! Show up, show out and cultivate others with your story in our 9th Annual Pageant. This is for women who are visuallym impaired, empowering themselves and others around them.
Stop hesitating, it’s your time to shine!

Recruitment Season Events:
Join us for a series of exciting events running from March to May that will not only prepare you for the pageant but also empower you through workshops, mentorship sessions, and networking opportunities.

How to Apply:

  • Scan the QR Code on the Flyer or use this link: bit.ly/pageant25 to register and take the first step towards an unforgettable experience.

For More Information:

Don’t let hesitation hold you back. It’s time to step into the spotlight and embrace the empowerment you deserve. Your story matters—let it shine!

All Women Pageant Recruitment flyer

Featuring – 2024 Miss Blind Diva Finale

Join us for an exciting series of events from March to May that will not only get you ready for the pageant but also empower you through dynamic workshops, mentorship sessions, and networking opportunities.

Show up, show out, and cultivate others with your story in our 9th Annual Pageant.

This is for women who are visually impaired, empowering themselves and those around them. Stop hesitating—it’s your time to shine!

Apply Now:
Scan the QR code on this flyer or visit bit.ly/pageant25

Contact Information:

Pageant World flyer

The Miss Blind Diva Empowerment Pageant has Reached Women From…

  • New Jersey

  • Pennsylvania

  • Florida

  • New York

  • Texas

  • Maryland

  • California

  • South Carolina

  • Alabama

  • Kenya

  • Jamaica

Apply Now:
Scan the QR code on this flyer or visit bit.ly/pageant25

Contact Information:

Announcing 2024 Power House Title Holders

KIANA

Introducing Rosalyn L. Kennedy

2024 Miss Blind Diva and Miss Independent

Rosalyn L Kennedy, aka the vision ferry, is a beacon of hope! A lifelong Lakeland, Florida resident, born April 13, 1971, she’s a dedicated mother and grandmother. As founder and president of My Blind Is Beautiful foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), she’s breaking barriers for the blind in Lakeland and Polk County. Owner of Cater 2U catering , member of the city of Lakeland‘s alliance for accessibility and educator at Polk County public schools, Rosalyn’s passion shines! With community involvement in organizations like the National Federation of the Blind, American Cancer Society, and American diabetes association, and more. she’s a true leader. Holding a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Master’s in Business Management, and pursuing doctoral studies in Nonprofit Leadership, Rosalyn inspires! Certified in computer technology and customer service, she’s a former cosmetologist and board member of Lakeland’s planning and zoning board. Enjoying cooking, singing, dancing, , shopping, reading, collecting Pandora, servicing others and more, Rosalyn spreads joy! Diagnosed with Retinitis pigmentosa, she advocates for awareness and inclusivity, striving for limitless possibilities for the legally blind. An active member of Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Institutional Church for 50 years, Rosalyn shines in the adult choir, women’s ministry, and beyond!
Krystle Boateng

Introducing Krystle Boateng

2024 Director’s Choice

Krystle A. Boateng is the Founder of Inside Ability Books and is the Author of the books created by the brand. After becoming legally blind at the age of 19, creative writing helped her discover hope and a determination to thrive in spite of adversity. Her inspirational poetry would later be showcased as part of her brand Keys to Thy Castle on artful canvases.

Krystle went on to work for many years in the non-profit sector as a disability advocate and empowerment coach as well as in ADA compliance (reasonable accommodations).
Later, as a Mom she would once again lean on her creative writing skills to overcome barriers. After struggling to find books that she could read to her 2 toddlers, she took on the feat of designing and producing the accommodation that was missing for her family: JUMBO LARGE PRINT and high contrast text options including white on black text. Her design choices have proven beneficial for many glasses wearers, low vision and neuro diverse communities.
Deborah Fitzgerald

Introducing Deborah Fitzgerald

2024 Miss Altruistic Title Holder

Deborah Fitzgerald is our 57-year-old Ms. Altruistic. Her life and goal ambitions are to create a global model for my organizations that will benefit others for years to come. Her organization is Organization of Unity and Empowerment and Love Ministries. Her role model is Maya Angelou because she was a phenomenal woman. She spent her life empowering, motivating and teaching others to love respect and to believe in themselves. Deborah has a common goal’ that is to empower, encourage, and raise awareness for all. By taking the time to bridge the gap in the differently able and the rest of the world, and letting them know that we are valuable and ready, willing, and able to contribute to the common good of all. The three words that describe her best are innovative, persistent and intuitive. Her hobbies include creating new content, singing, cooking and helping others.
Belinda Banks

Introducing Belinda Banks

2024 Miss Photogenic Title Holder

Belinda Banks was born in New York, NY, and moved to South Carolina at age 5. She attended public schools up until seventh grade, when she went to the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind located in the upstate of Spartanburg, South Carolina. She graduated from SCSDB and Spartanburg High School. After graduating, she started working as a residential advisor at the SCSDB until she started her own vending company. Since then, she has been involved in multiple adventures but mainly starting the EYESEE U Enterprise LLC. She spends most of her time in the Food Service world catering but she has been able to get into real estate as well. Initially, she wanted her own soul food restaurant but with catering she doesn’t have to spend week after week inside the kitchen. Growing up, she struggled with being visually impaired from birth to losing all of her sight at the age of fourteen. Then, watching her first born go through the same, she decided that she wanted to make an impact in the community. She’s seen so many disabled people that do not have the family or resources to survive. With life now having a strong husband and three kids, she has yet to launch her ultimate goal which is to help people that do not have the support, stability, or independent living skills to survive on their own successfully. This is why she got into real estate and food service to help her accomplish her 5 to 10 year goal.