The auditorium at North Central University rang with cheers and celebration as six Black women and girls from across Minnesota were crowned queens at the 2025 Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant on Saturday, June 7.
Among them stood a new face in the pageant’s history: Sannia Elzia of Mendota Heights, crowned Madam Juneteenth 2025 — a newly introduced title honoring women ages 31 to 39.
“I think that was the first time I took a real deep exhale in a long time,” Elzia said, recalling the moment her name was announced. “I was relieved, emotional, and just elated. It felt like months of work came together in that one surreal second.”
Elzia’s division, Division 6: Madam Juneteenth, adds depth to an event already recognized for its intergenerational celebration of Black womanhood. With six divisions now spanning ages 6 to 39, Minnesota’s pageant is among the most inclusive Juneteenth state pageants in the country.
“This pageant is really open to all,” Elzia said. “It doesn’t matter what you look like. It just matters what work you’re willing to put into it and how much dedication you have.”
Founded by Angel T. Jones, the Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant is more than crowns and gowns. With the theme “Rediscovering Our Culture and Redefining Our Freedom,” contestants participate in workshops, essay writing, interviews, and community-building events designed to connect them to Black history, their personal voice, and one another.
“To me, rediscovering our culture is about staying grounded in your identity, especially when political landscapes are trying to erase it,” Elzia said. “We’re in a time where DEI is under attack, and rights we thought were basic are being rolled back. Knowing your history and your worth is survival.”
That mission was echoed by the pageant’s advisor, Rev. William Pierce. “These six queens, and all the contestants, are outstanding role models for other young people in the community,” he said. “Their intelligence, poise and character were evident to everyone attending today’s pageant.”
Elzia described the competition as less about rivalry and more about resilience. Division 6 had the largest group of contestants this year, with nine women — many of them full-time professionals, mothers or caregivers juggling responsibilities alongside pageant preparation.
“It’s an interesting road being in our 30s and being in a pageant,” she said. “A lot of us are doing this on top of everything else — raising kids, working, caregiving. But we made it. And we made it together.”
She recalled the emotional moment when her fellow division finalists ran up to hug her after her win. “It grounded me. I wasn’t expecting it. That moment reminded me we were all rooting for each other.”
Now crowned, Elzia sees her new role not as the end of a journey but the beginning of her platform. She is currently producing a documentary uplifting the voices of Black women in Minnesota who are survivors of sexual assault.
“The stories of Black women are incredibly important to me,” she said. “I think they’re not heard enough. And when they are, they’re often judged or dismissed. I want to change that.”
Her work aligns with the pageant’s broader goal: to amplify Black excellence in all its forms, from self-expression to civic impact. “Injustice infuriates me, but it also inspires me,” Elzia said. The documentary is expected to enter post-production this fall, with a planned 2026 release.
All contestants competed in five categories: Opening Number, Essay, Evening Gown, Onstage Q&A, and Personal Interview. A panel of five Twin Cities community leaders served as judges. Dr. Stephanie Burrage, CEO of Collaborative Student Transportation, emceed the event.
For Elzia, the essay portion proved especially meaningful. “It was the only time the judges really got to hear my story,” she said.
“During the pageant, you’re just a number. So in my essay I tried to reflect who I am, what I care about, and how my culture shaped that.”
She said the interview portion also surprised her, in a good way. “Right before I went in, I talked to another contestant who said, ‘Oh my God, I loved it!’ And that helped shift my mindset. I realized, this is about showing who I am. That gave me peace.”
Her advice to future contestants: “Go in there confident, even if you don’t feel it. If you exude it, eventually it’ll meet you where you are.” And most importantly? “Focus… Focus on yourself, on the moment, and what the pageant is asking of you. Soak in all the moments. They’re all important."
The 2025 titleholders
- Little Miss Juneteenth (ages 6-9): Brielle Salifu, Apple Valley
- Junior Miss Juneteenth (ages 10-13): Nyelle Salifu, Apple Valley
- Teen Miss Juneteenth (ages 14-18): Khamani Washington, St. Louis Park
- Miss Juneteenth (ages 19-24): Jailynn Brown, Brooklyn Center
- Ms. Juneteenth (ages 25-30): Jailyn Newton, Eden Prairie
Madam Juneteenth (ages 31-39): Sannia Elzia, Mendota Heights
Notably, Little Miss and Junior Miss titleholders Brielle and Nyelle Salifu are sisters, continuing a legacy of family, tradition and pride that defines the pageant’s spirit.
The Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating platforms where Black girls and women can thrive through workshops, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities.
As Elzia puts it, “Being connected to one another and to our culture is empowering. That’s how we move forward. That’s how we redefine freedom.”
For more information, visit www.missjuneteenthmn.org.
