Juggling Pageant Directing and Becoming a Titleholder out of Retirement

Marchia Mickens is a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Masters in Instructional Technology from American Intercontinental University. She is currently employed as an elementary school teacher by the DeKalb County School System in Decatur, Georgia. Marchia is also a certified bridal consultant and the Minister of Music at Faith A.M.E. Zion Church in Atlanta, Georgia.   

Pageants have always been a strong passion for her, which is evident in the titles she has held. She was Miss Black Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1977), Mrs. Georgia Achievement (2001), US Sophisticate Woman 2003, first runner-up to United American Woman 2004, Georgia Global America Woman (2002 and 2004), first runner-up to Global America Woman (2004), Global America Woman (2005), U.S. United Queen of Queens (2004), US Sophisticate Lady (2005) and in 2008, she retired with the title of World Elite Woman. In February, 2015, Ms. Mickens came out of retirement and won the title of Classic Ms. World Elite.

She is the Founder and CEO of the U.S. United Pageant System, which was launched in July 2004. This national system recognizes outstanding females for their outstanding achievements. Its platform is Breast Cancer Awareness. She believes that pageants offer many opportunities and benefits for women of all ages, shapes and sizes, and backgrounds. Marchia is a “hands on” pageant director and enjoys helping her contestants become the best they can be throughout the competition. She does not believe that a contestant should have to second guess what a pageant system is looking for. The U.S. United Pageant System focuses on building long lasting friendships among the contestants.

She has one son, Michael, and two beautiful granddaughters, Jhai’Lien and TayLour, who are also national pageant titleholders.