American Idol's Ruben Studdard to Headline the Miss Black USA 2005 Scholarship Pageant

American Idol's Ruben Studdard to Headline the Miss Black USA 2005 Scholarship Pageant

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Ruben Studdard, the 2003 American Idol winner, will be the headline entertainment act for the Miss Black USA 2005 Scholarship Pageant to be held this Sunday, August 7, 2005 at 6 p.m. (EDT) at the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC, which is located at 13th and E Streets, NW. The double-platinum Grammy nominated Recording Artist, affectionately known as the "Velvet Teddy Bear," will entertain the audience and serenade the contestants who are contending to be the next "Miss Black USA."

The Pageant will be co-hosted by Kimberly Brooks from the new Showtime series "Huff," and critically acclaimed Television and Film Actor, Philip Morris, whose credits include playing the popular "Jackie Chiles" character on "Seinfeld." Actor/Comedienne Tommy Davidson, Meg DeLoatch, the Creator and Executive Producer of UPN's top-ranked show, "Eve," R & B Recording Artist Ginuwine, former "Washington Redskins" player Brian Mitchell, and best selling authors A'Lelia Bundles and Farah Gray will serve as final night celebrity judges.

The women who are participating in this competition are all single and their ages range from 21 to 27. The District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia will be represented in this year's Pageant along with the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Texas. The theme for the Pageant is "Keeping the Dream Alive in 2005."

Sunday, August 7, 2005

* The Miss Black USA Scholarship Pageant's Prayer Breakfast Location: JW Marriott Hotel, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC Time: 8:00 a.m. - 10 a.m.

* Miss Black USA Scholarship Pageant (i.e. the final night of competition) Location: The Warner Theatre, 13th & E Streets, NW, Washington, DC Time: 6:00 p.m.

The Miss Black USA Scholarship Pageant will be televised for the very first time exclusively on Black Family Channel, Saturday, September 3, 2005 at 9 p.m. (EDT).

Source: Miss Black USA 2005 Scholarship Pageant

CONTACT: Unnia Pettus, Ph.D., Publicist, +1-202-641-7632, or upettus@aol.com, for the Miss Black USA 2005 Scholarship Pageant

Web site: http://www.missblackusa.org/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Media Credentials Note: All media will need credentials to cover the Pageant. Contact Unnia Pettus, for credential clearance ASAP at 202-641-7632 or via email at upettus@aol.com. To find out more about each contestant, including viewing their photographs and biographies, please visit the Miss Black USA Web site at www.missblackusa.org.

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