Taylor Bembery
Variety Editor
Many remember former Miss Jackson State University 2012-2013 Sarah Brown for Thinking B.I.G, now she has made an even bigger move to the pages of the September 2013 issue of Ebony magazine. Brown is featured as one of the top 10 Ebony Campus Queens of 2013, representing JSU.
Brown, a native of Jackson, Miss., graduated from JSU in May with a bachelor’s degree in Physics. Ebony captured Brown’s radiant smile and her candid, vibrant personality in an interview and photo spread on page 130.
Brown said going through the process of becoming an Ebony Campus Queen was a wonderful experience.
“I remember staying up from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. voting with my friends consistently to make sure I stayed in the top 10. It showed me through self discipline that you can have anything if you stay focused and don’t give up. That if you stay consistent with your goals you can actually see them become a reality,” said Brown.
The 22 year old said she would not be an Ebony Campus Queen if it wasn’t for the help of her peers and family. She shared her strategies on how she remained in the top 10 to claim the distinguished title.
“My Instagram, Facebook and Twitter followers. My family, friends, and the voting parties I had were the reasons for my success. It just came from people allowing me to blow up their mentions. They saw my consistency and they saw how bad I wanted it. I owe it all to them,” said Brown.
The Ebony Campus Queens 2013 photo shoot took place this summer in Atlanta, Ga., at The Paul Mitchell Hair Studio. A team of celebrity hair stylists, Fashion Fair make-up artists, and wardrobe stylists dolled up the campus queens. There was also a special touch to this year’s photo shoot. Ebony magazine decided to style the Campus Queens in different colored vibrant dresses, setting them apart from the previous Campus Queens that had to wear similar outfits.
“The energy at the photo shoot was great. I just walked in extremely excited. It was a great experience. It kind of gave me an inside look at how much control you have over your image when it comes to dealing with magazines,” said Brown.
Even though Sarah was featured in the September issue of the magazine she said it was very hard for her and her family to get a copy initially.
“It took us forever to finally get the issue because the day it was supposed to be released it wasn’t. We were kind of anticipating the entire month of August. I was searching everywhere for that magazine. I called my local Barnes and Noble on August 14th and they only had two copies of the magazine left. I told them to hold it for me because I was featured in it and they did. I got the last two copies,” said Brown.
The reason it was so hard for Brown to get her hands on the September 2013 issue of Ebony was because the cover featured four different tributes to the late Trayvon Martin.
“It is an honor to be in a copy of this magazine because the cover is dedicated to Trayvon Martin and it’s four different covers, one cover specifically of his mother, father, and brother. It is a hot commodity and everyone is grabbing the September issue,” she said.
Brown said she appreciates Ebony for allowing her to show her personality and express who she really is through her pictures and interview.
“Being Miss Jackson State University has definitely taken me to where I wanted to be, above and beyond because like I tell people all the time ‘everything that glitters isn’t gold.’ I say that in a positive way because people see the crown and sash and think it is all glamour but it’s a lot of hard work that comes behind it,” said Brown.
“There are many trials and tribulations you have to conquer. It definitely allowed me to walk in shoes I never thought I would be able to walk in. Not only did I walk in them but I accomplished more,” she added.
Brown is currently on full scholarship at Louisiana State University where she is pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration. She is also working on an iPhone App that will launch soon for her blog: thelifecoachsarahbrown.blogspot.com, which focuses on motivating young women.
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