What are the eligibility requirements for entering the pageant?
If you are single (never married), never given birth to or have adopted a child, a United States citizen, a resident of the state of New Jersey, and you are at least 13 but still under 27 by August 2012, you are eligible to apply to become a contestant.

What is the entry and sponsorship fee for? Is it refundable?
When you confirm your participation with your entry fee we begin to prepare for you! The sponsorship fee helps defray the costs of production expenses, gifts, and prizes for you and other contestants, your hotel during pageant weekend, all meals during pageant weekend, pageant staff, administration costs and expenses for the titleholders at Nationals. Entry/Sponsorship fees are non-refundable. If for any reason you are unable to participate in the pageant, any amount of money you or your sponsors have paid will not be refunded. However, consideration may be taken to apply a portion of your fees raised towards your entry/sponsorship fee for the following year.
Should you become a contestant, once you receive your detailed handbook, we suggest you go over all details with your family and friends who plan to support you before you choose to move forward any further.

Are there any height or weight requirements?
There are no required height, weight or measurements that qualify you to compete. It is important to remember that it is not about any particular body size, shape, or frame. Rather it is about maintaining good health and overall physical fitness.

How many contestants will be in the pageant?
The number of contestants changes daily as new contestants apply and choose to participate.

What happens after I submit my application?
We review all entries received and submit selected entries to a member of our staff who will contact the applicants for a brief telephone interview. After your interview, a review committee will consider your application. They will determine if they feel you would make a good candidate for the title. If you are accepted to participate in the pageant, you will receive the registration materials via U.S. Mail.

What are the costs associated with the pageant?
Each contestant is responsible for paying a registration and sponsorship fee, which covers your participation in the pageant and all Pageant Weekend activities. If selected as a contestant, we will give you information on obtaining sponsors to help defray your costs.

Where can I get sponsors?
Sponsors can include, but are not limited to your family, friends, local businesses, fraternal organizations, clubs, schools, etc. You may secure sponsors from anywhere in or out of the state. If accepted, you will receive paperwork to help secure your sponsors. Sponsorship can also help defray costs for entry fee, wardrobe, etc.

Will the pageant provide my wardrobe?
No. Each contestant is responsible for bringing her own wardrobe to pageant weekend. This allows you the versatility and freedom to pick a wardrobe that best flatters your body as well as to choose a wardrobe that fits and highlights your individual personality.

Do I have to spend a lot of money on my wardrobe?
No! It is more important to select outfits that make you feel confident, that best suit your body type and personality. Each year the personal choice of gowns spans from simple to elaborate. Many young ladies choose to use homecoming/prom gowns, or fitness gear and interview outfits that they already own, while others choose to purchase new outfits. It's all about feeling confident in your own skin.

What are the judging criteria for the pageant?
Personal Interview: Miss Black New Jersey pageant contestants must be articulate with excellent social and conversational skills. Contestants must be able to express themselves clearly, diplomatically and must project a pleasant personality at all times.

• Fitness: Miss Black New Jersey pageant contestants must be physically fit, with good muscle tone and body proportion. Miss Black New Jersey pageant contestants must carry themselves with confidence and grace.
  
  
• Talent: Miss Black New Jersey pageant contestants must be able to perform a talent, within a 2 minute and 30 second time frame, that is well put together, appropriate and engaging.
  
  
• Evening Gown: Miss Black New Jersey pageant contestants must carry themselves with dignity, grace, poise and elegance. Judges are not evaluating the cost or designer label of the gown, but rather how well it suits the contestant (i.e. fit, color, style) as well as contestants' on-stage presentation.
  
  
• On Stage Q&A: Miss Black New Jersey pageant contestants must be able to answer questions about current social affairs with confidence and consistency although under pressure.
  
  

Can anyone assist me during the pageant weekend, with my wardrobe or hair & make-up?
There will be chaperones in the dressing rooms to assist you with some of your wardrobe changes. Contestants are prohibited from bringing their own personal hair and make-up stylists - no one is allowed back stage or in the dressing room. There will be a team of professional make-up artists and hair stylists present at the pageant.

Are tattoos or body piercings allowed?
Tattoos and piercing are a statement of your individuality, and it is up to you whether you choose to show them. If either are visible while in your competition wardrobe, you may remove your body jewelry or cover tattoos with body make-up if you desire. Judges are not told to look upon someone negatively because of tattoos or piercing, but judging is a subjective process done by each individual differently.

What does the winner receive?
The biggest prize is the prestigious title of Miss Black New Jersey USA or Miss Black New Jersey Talented Teen USA and the opportunity to represent our state at the national Miss Black USA or Miss Black USA Talented Teen! Our prize package differs from year to year based at sponsors.

What happens if I should win and how much time is involved?
Time involved should you win depends on the individual person. There are certain responsibilities that accompany the privilege of becoming a titleholder. The biggest commitment is your responsibility to represent the state in the national Miss Black USA or Miss Black USA Talented Teen. This is a one week trip where your accommodations and pageant preparations are included in your prize package.

In addition to preparing and competing in the national pageant, titleholders are asked to make appearances on TV, Radio, Online, locally and throughout the state. These include speaking engagements, parades, charity events, galas, trade shows, etc. We realize that your education, career and family are a high priority, so we do our best to accommodate your schedule when arranging appearances.

Lastly, titleholders are expected to volunteer, raise funds towards the scholarship and host an event to support their platform. Titleholders also receive their scholarship at the end of a successful year as the reigning title holder.