Life & Work with Daveda Hawkins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daveda Hawkins. 

Hi Daveda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was an extremely shy little girl. I was constantly teased for my dark skin, big forehead, and bowlegs. So, as you can imagine, my self-esteem was very low. My Mom enrolled me into a modeling and charm school when I was 10 years old. This was the best thing she could’ve ever did because I now recognize that this changed my life! There I learned that I was beautiful! I learned the basics in runway. While my peers were hanging out at the mall and going to sleepovers, I was doing hair shows and fashions shows. As I continued through middle school and high school, I began to become more involved with school activities. I was on the drill team, cheer squad, and the band. I signed up for cosmetology at Shaw High School and produced their first high school fashion show. I am extremely proud of that! From there, I went on to attend the University of Akron, where I produced fashions shows for the Akron charter of the NAACP and Black United Students. This gave me the confidence to open a modeling school of my own. In 2003, I started Segami International. (Sega mi is IMAGES backwards). In 2010, I rebranded and changed the name to B-Elite Modeling and Charm School, and in 2014, I joined the pageant industry. My pageant system is different as my mission is to build self-esteem and self-confidence in men, women, and children by exposing them to basic pageantry and offering an outlet for creativity and self-discovery. I had to bring it all full circle! 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been a smooth road. I’ve hit many bumps in the road along the way. Early on, I realized that many parents were not interested in paying to have their kids properly trained. Instead, they were happy just seeing them strut up and down the runway in fancy clothes. Once I started in pageantry, I learned that Cleveland is a FASHION city NOT a pageant city. I find myself constantly teaching the difference between the two to this day. 

When the pandemic hit, I joined other frustrated Entrepreneurs. I had the 3rd Annual Grown & Sexy Pageant planned and ready to go. We held orientation on a Sunday and by that following weekend, the city had been shut down. This forced me to spend time adjusting my pageant business. This led to hosting all of our pageants during one BIG weekend versus a pageant every quarter. September 2021, I hosted my first BIG Pageant Weekend. Not only did we step up the venue by moving to a hotel like most pageant systems, but we had our first celebrity! 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the CEO of B-Elite Pageants, LLC. I also serve as the Pageant Director. I specialize in creating a pageant system that is an “experience” versus a competition and one that builds one’s self-esteem and self-confidence. I am known for my professionalism and fairness. I am most proud of the B-Elite brand and expansion. In addition to the pageants, I’ve started a nonprofit for young people, B-Elite Learning Academy, Inc., and I look forward to watching it grow as well. I believe that my ability to produce high-quality pageants and events, lead an amazing team, encourage men, women, and children, and balance family and entrepreneurship all sets me apart from others. Not many can do that. (And, yes, I’ve learned to toot my own horn and celebrate myself). 

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I consider myself a risk taker. I take a risk every time I plan a pageant and open registration. Like I said before, Cleveland is a FASHION city. Many people are not familiar with pageants or the difference from fashions shows. Therefore, people always ask “why am I paying to be in a fashion show?”. So, I find myself constantly taking advantage of “teachable moments” and educating people about pageantry. All around, I’d have to say that the pageant industry is a risky business. There are so many moving pieces and parts needed in order to pull off a successful production. Everyone sees the registration fees and ticket sales and think that I’m “rolling in dough.” They don’t think about the costs associated with the venue, prizes, social events/gatherings, food, drinks, MCs, entertainment, Dj service, productions, stage, lighting, photographers, videographers, etc. In this business, sponsors are very important. Yet again, sponsors don’t understand the difference between a fashion show and a pageant, and many shy away from the opportunity. 

Contact Info:

• Website: b-elitepageants.com
• Instagram: @belite_pageants
• Facebook: B’Elite Pageants

Image Credits
Desmond Storm
E Jones
David Clinkscale