Aniyja Denise Gilliam, a 21-year-old native of Charlotte, North Carolina, is on a journey to become the next Miss Black North Carolina USA. Currently crowned Miss Black Charlotte USA 2024, Aniyja’s path has been one of resilience and triumph over adversity. As she prepares to compete for the state title on December 15, 2024, at the Garner Performing Arts Center in Raleigh, her mission is to inspire others by sharing her own powerful story.
Aniyja, now a junior at Clark Atlanta University, is majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Fashion Styling. She dreams of a career in law to amplify the voices of the oppressed and to advocate for those without representation. Her own experiences with homelessness have fueled her drive to achieve these goals, and this pageant offers her a unique opportunity. Beyond the prestige, it provides scholarships and funding that will help her complete her degree and further her commitment to advocacy.
During her challenging times without stable housing, Aniyja found strength in what she could still control — her spirit, resilience, and the courage to smile in adversity. “Even a lotus flower can blossom within the mud as long as it has a beacon of light,” she says, reminding others that tough circumstances need not define one’s worth or limit one’s potential. Through her platform, she hopes to encourage others to embrace their inner resilience, showing them that financial hardship is not a barrier to making a positive impact on the world.
Aniyja’s platform, She S.H.I.N.E.S., is dedicated to Striving to Honor, Inspire, Nurture, and Encourage others to embrace their brightest selves. Inspired by her own experiences, this initiative seeks to raise awareness of systemic homelessness while advocating for self-worth and beauty that radiates from within. In addition to her advocacy, Aniyja is a member of the Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society, Clark Atlanta’s Pre-Law Society, and CEO of her fashion blog, “50 Shades of Niy.” She also volunteers as a pageant host for the Little Miss NC USA Scholarship Pageant, embodying her dedication to uplifting others.
Through her work and her journey, Aniyja is determined to be a beacon for those who face similar hardships, reminding them that overcoming challenges is possible and that everyone can “shine” with purpose and confidence. For sponsorship opportunities and to support her journey, visit Aniyja’s official page.
