Miss Black Florida USA

Hi,

I want to start off by saying THANK YOU! The amount of support that I've received from family, friends, and even strangers (who are now friends) since I announced that I am your next Miss Black Florida USA has been insurmountable. I'm speechless and most of all, grateful. I can't thank you guys enough!

My name is Leyanis Diaz and I am your 2017 Miss Black Florida USA. I am an FIU Alum, a sister of Phi Mu Fraternity and I have been a mentor for the Embrace Girls Foundation, a non-profit organization here in Miami, FL that gives young girls a head start on success, for the last three years. 

Next August, I will be representing the entire state of Florida in the national Miss Black USA pageant in Washington, D.C. and I am soooooo EXCITED to put the Sunshine State on the map!

As Miss Black Florida USA, I plan to promote and advocate for health, education and entrepreneurship among minorities while working with organizations and businesses to promote Florida as a hub for diversity, creativity, and opportunity. So let's help each other elevate to the next level! I'm here to serve you guys and help in any way that I can but I need your help.

I started this GoFundMe page first to help me in paying the national entry fee (which is due in a month!) and any other costs associated with competing so that I can focus on representing Florida to the best of my ability next August. The $2500 that I'm currently asking for your help in raising would be paying for the national fee and hotel costs for housing during the week-long pageant in DC. 

Secondly, I started this fund to help me achieve my platform and goals. I want to help people,  it's what I'm passionate about. As a black Latina woman born in Cuba and raised in Miami, FL, I feel obligated to do my part in helping minorities like myself better their situations. Recently, someone talked to me about the different levels of wealth (from bottom to top of the pyramid: debt, scarcity, health, prosperity and wealth impact). The top tier, wealth impact, exemplifies being wealthy (whether you're rich in health, in relationships, money, etc.)  enough to make an impact. I'll be honest, growing up, we never had much of anything and today, it still feels like our situation could be better. My parents and I emigrated from Cuba here 20 years ago in search of the American Dream just like most of you. But it seems as though, they're still searching... so it's up to me to make their dreams a reality. 

I want to make an impact here in Florida, which brings me to the third reason for why I started this fund. I want to give back to the local organizations that are doing something to make an impact in our community. I want to raise enough money to make a donation to 50 or more local non-profit organizations with missions and visions that help, support and elevate minorities. 

The Great Muhammad Ali once said that: "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."

Well it looks like it's the first of the month and my rent is due. I need you.

Help me get to nationals and help me make an impact. 

-Leyanis Diaz
Miss Black Florida USA 2017

P.S. Feel free to connect with me! I want to hear from you! Let's connect, let's collaborate, let's work together!

My email is [email redacted] and you can find me on social media @IAmLeyanisDiaz