Pageant winner says she seeks to help young women build confidence – The Champion Newspaper | 404-373-7779

Stone Mountain resident Jamelia Potter said it is unlikely she would have entered a pageant if all that had been available to her were the classic “beauty” pageants of the 20th century. “You never would have seen a woman who wasn’t slender in one of those,” said Potter, who was recently crowned United States of America’s Ms. Georgia 2026 and will represent Georgia at the 2026 national competition.  

Potter said the pageant in which she is finding success emphasizes poise, intellect, and community involvement above traditional pageant values such as physical measurements and how well the contestant models a bathing suit.  

“Quite honestly, it took me a long time to feel confident competing against slim women,” Potter said. “People always said to me, ‘You’re pretty and you express yourself well, but you need to lose weight.’ I was once told that I could never be a television news anchor because I was too large.”  

There are pageants just for “full-bodied” women and pageants just for women of a certain ethnic group, Potter explained. “What I love about the United States of America pageants is that women of all sizes and colors compete,” she said, adding that the concept of the “beauty” pageant has evolved as views of women’s roles in society have evolved. 

United States of America Pageants bills itself as “the fastest growing pageant system in the nation,” noting that it was named in the top 10 Best National Pageants of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 by Pageant Planet, which describes itself as a central place designed to “connect and expand the pageant industry” that helps would-be contestants find affordable and appropriate pageants and coaching.  

Stating that its goal is “to encourage women to strive to achieve their hopes, dreams, goals, and aspirations, while making them feel confident and beautiful inside and out,” United States of America Pageants said its motto is “Empower women, inspire others, anduplift everyone.”  

“We focus on women empowerment, promoting positive self-image and advocating a platform of community service, which allows our contestants to rise by lifting others,” the United States of America Pageants states in a news release. “Additionally, we award thousands of dollars in prizes and provide countless opportunities to achieve success, including an opportunity to be considered for a modeling contract.” 

Potter’s pageant platform is Curves of Courage, which she said “was born from her passion for empowerment, wellness, and self-confidence, encouraging women and young people to embrace who they are, prioritize growth, and pursue purpose unapologetically.” She added that the platform “blends advocacy, storytelling, and community outreach to promote confidence, resilience, and a healthier relationship with self—mind, body, and spirit.” 

Potter said a “people’s choice” pageant segment allows people other than the judges to vote for their favorite. Each vote costs $2 with the money going to the nonprofit of the winner’s choice. “I won that and selected as my nonprofit an organization founded by a contestant in a younger age category. It’s called Girl, Yes You Can. It sponsors confidence building classes and other programs to help teenage girls become their best selves,” she explained.  

“I don’t want anyone to think I am promoting poor health habits. I believe in exercise and a nutritious diet, but even with those, not everyone is going to be fashion-model slender,” Potter observed. 

Potter said she became interested in pageants as a path toward a career in the entertainment industry. Describing herself as “a communications professional and creative storyteller with deep roots in education and community engagement,” she currently works as a communications coordinator with DeKalb County School District.  

In that position, she said, she helps shape districtwide messaging, digital content, and media initiatives that she said “inform, inspire, and uplift students, families, and stakeholders,” adding that through her work, she “has become a visible advocate for student voice, educational equity, and creative expression both in and out the classroom.” 

“My goal is to be an award-winning actress. Along the way, I want to tell my story so it can encourage and inspire little girls who look like I did as a child. I want them to know that if they study hard and pursue their goals doors will open for them,” Potter said.