INTERVIEW: Miss Africa-USA, Nereida Lobo Talks Pageants, Non-profit Organisation “Little Crowns”, Cape Verde, Fashion, Oprah, and More…

Nereida Lobo a 24-year-old Washington Adventist University graduate with a degree in Psychology. She was born and raised in the Republic of Cape Verde, an Island in West Africa. At the age of 11, she moved to the United States where she was exposed to a new journey of life and experiences.

Being a role model who always has to set the example for others , is something that comes natural to Nereida. She is also a model who has participated in several fashion shows, including the DC Fashion Show.

Nereida is the Founder of Little Crowns, a nonprofit organization with the mission to provide educational materials to children in underprivileged communities in Africa and African communities in the diaspora.

As Miss Africa-USA, her mission is to help better prepare African Children to compete globally. She plans to do this because, every day that passes without equipping African children with the tools to compete globally, is an additional day that African children must remain less competitive vis-à-vis their more advanced counterparts in other parts of the world. She understands the importance of giving our African children a voice in the world and a sitting place at the table of global influence.

As Miss Africa-USA, she believes bridging gaps and connecting people together from all walks of life, is a calling that has been placed on her life, as she embraces it to transform the world in her own unique way. In her fun time, she enjoys playing soccer, dancing Kizomba and traveling. Life, she says, is a journey that must be traveled with a smile, regardless of its triumphs or trials.

Check out my exclusive interview with her below:

Hey, Nereida! Would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?
I am a young woman with humble beginnings that never stops to dream and believe that I am not far from bringing the impossible to life.

Talk me through an average day in the life of you?
An average day in my life, is like rolling through a thousand obligations per second. It seems I have to joggle my time with the needs of many. AS such my days are filled with the need to prioritize.

What institution(s) did you attend and what did you study?
I went to Washington Adventist University and studied Psychology.

Congratulations on winning Miss Africa-USA 2016. How did it feel when you were announced the winner?
I was ecstatic. I never once believed it was not possible. I embraced the fact that I would win despite the odds and I was shaken to tears because I had worked so hard and it was not in vain.

What made you enter for the competition?
The reason I entered the competition was to get a chance to make my platform a reality. It was a chance for me to do something bigger than myself, and the competition gave me the ability to think beyond my immediate world to the world of children all over Africa.

Since winning the competition, what projects and activities have you embarked upon?
It has been very busy. I had several appearances to different events, and have been very active in promoting my organization Little Crowns, going to the Island of Cape Verde and donating backpacks and schools supplies to three different Islands, and presently embarking on a journey to Ghana to do the same.

What separates a champion from a non-champion in your view, and why?
What separates a champion from a non-champion is faith. A champion believes in the destination even if everything says it will not happen. Faith to achieve, Faith to Believe, Faith to Conquer, Faith to believe the impossible.

Tell me more about your nonprofit organization – “Little Crowns”. What’s it all about?
Little Crowns is an organization geared towards providing educational supplies to Children in underprivileged communities.

I heard you speak close to 4 languages, which ones?
I am not an expert in all these languages but I speak them proficiently. English, Portuguese, Spanish, Creole.

How would you describe your diet?
I am very picky with what I eat. I tend to favor organic foods because for a while now I have been very health conscious.

Do you stay in shape year-round? As a model, what is required of you as far as maintaining a certain appearance?
I have not been as active with my exercise routines, but every chance I get where I can squeeze in time to do a couple of workouts, I take it. As a model it takes being actively conscious of what you consume, drinking plenty of water, eating healthy and exercising as much as you can.

What are 5 dos and don’ts when it comes to pageants?
Do’s:
1. Practice, Practice, Practice
2. Find and listen to your mentors
3. Believe in yourself
4. Have a support network
5. Walk like a Queen 🙂

Don’ts:
1. Tardiness to your rehearsals
2. Going it alone without a mentor
3. Being unsure of yourself
4. Being judgmental of your other contestants
5. Poor presentation on your platform

How would you describe the language barrier between your country’s community in Cape Verde and those living in the United States?
I have had to evolve from a world that spoke no English, to a world where English is what I had to learn in the United States. The culture is different and the approach to community quite different. The culture in the United States is very individualistic while that in Cape Verde is very communal.

What do you consider the most common stereotype about the beauty pageant industry?
The belief that they are singularly motivated by beauty, not smart and with little to offer.

What aspect surprised you the most once you started living in the United States?
The diversity of people from different nationalities.

Is there anything you would like to change back home in Cape Verde?
Creating a great opportunities for the minds of the children to flourish.

What do you consider your biggest professional success so far?
Little Crowns

Who do you want to work with that you haven’t yet?
I would love Oprah to mentor me.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Finding the support needed to make some of my mission in Little Crowns a success. I find out that I invest most of my income and those of my partners to carry out some of the necessary operations of the organization, and I can only be grateful for those who have donated generously to our cause.

Tell us two things people don’t know about you?
1. I could sometimes cheat with the sweets even though I try not to.
2. I am very visual and love the tech side of things.

What’s your opinion about the role of social media in empowering African youths these days?
I believe social media comes in so many varied forms and African youths are only empowered when the role models in their lives use media or engage in media in a socially responsible way. Since I can’t speak for all role models of African youths, all I can say is I try to make my presence as a public figure as socially responsible as possible so that I can play a positive role in the lives of young girls who might look up to me.

You were born and raised in the Republic of Cape Verde, an Island country in West Africa, and moved to the United States at the age of 11. How is that working out for you?
It has been a journey of discovery. And I never stop finding out the different layers of who I am.

What are your must visit travel destinations?
Paris, Bora Bora.

Name 5 things we should take seriously about our style choices?
Colors

How would you describe your style?
I describe my style to be very simple and cleaned look.

Name your 5 must have accessories/essentials?
1. Ring
2. Sunglasses “shades”
3. bag
4. watch
5. Statement earrings

What are your favorite fashion trends?
Black – On -white print.

What is your favorite dish?
Katchupa (Traditional plate from my country)

What songs are currently on your playlist?
Travis Green “You Waited”.

Apart from modelling, pageantry, what other projects are you currently working on?
Apart from the modeling and pageantry I work on my Non-profit organization called “Little Crowns” with it’s mission to provide educational materials to children in underprivileged communities. For those who wishes to learn more about us they can visit Littlecrowns.org

Seeing you’re doing your dreams, what advice can you give others to pursue their dreams?
Never allow your circumstances to define your future, always follow your heart and let anything stop you from reaching your dreams. Have Faith and believe in yourself.

Any specific plans for the future?
Plan are to take my organization to a level where we are impacting lives of children all around the world. Also, be able to travel around the world and inspire the youth with my story. And finally work at U.N (ultimate goal).

Any final words?
Never let anything stop you from reaching your dreams, anything is possible just believe it and work hard towards it. Also, be yourself and everything else will follow. Most importantly trust Gods plan for your life.

Where can we follow you online and on social media?
You can follow me on the following social media:
Facebook Page: @OfficialNereidaLobo
Instagram: Nereida_Lobo
Snapchat: Nereida_Lobo