{"id":1380,"date":"2021-09-24T11:23:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-24T18:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/miss-black-pasadena-aims-to-fulfill-dream-of-becoming-a-doctor\/"},"modified":"2026-03-28T22:29:50","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T05:29:50","slug":"laila-ward-miss-black-pasadena","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/laila-ward-miss-black-pasadena\/","title":{"rendered":"Miss Black Pasadena aims to fulfill dream of becoming a doctor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n    \n                                \n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--article-hero \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--article-hero\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n<div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/04\/story-3551-768x432.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/04\/story-3551-768x432.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  alt=\"Miss Black Pasadena aims to fulfill dream of becoming a doctor\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"image-caption\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  Laila Ward is a native of Pasadena, California, where she was a member of the Pasadena Youth Council and served as a Youth Ambassador for the City of Pasadena. (Photos: Natasha Wilson.)\n\n\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n  <div class=\"text-wrapper\">\n          <nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\" class=\"breadcrumbs\">\n        <ul>\n                      <li><a href=\"\/news\/stories\/\">News<\/a><\/li>\n                      <li><a href=\"\/news\/stories\/\/?category=student\">Student<\/a><\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/nav>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--page-title\">\n\n    \n  <h1>Miss Black Pasadena aims to fulfill dream of becoming a doctor<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n          <div class=\"subtitle\">\n            \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  Laila Ward, a freshman studying human biology at USC Dornsife, recently took home the crown at the Miss Black Pasadena pageant, which honors local talented teens. <strong>[3\u00be min read]<\/strong>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n           <strong class=\"author-field\"><span >By<\/span><a href=\"mailto:communication@dornsife.usc.edu\">Margaret Crable<\/a><\/strong>\n    \n          <span class=\"post-date-field\">September 24, 2021<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--social-share \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--social-share\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n    <span class=\"a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list\" style=\"line-height: 32px;\">\n      <span class=\"title\">\n        Share\n      <\/span>\n                        <a class=\"a2a_button_copy_link\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#copy_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"Link\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_copy_link\">\n              <svg height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" width=\"19\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m7.43475275 9.52380952-2.17490843 2.26076008c-1.08745421 1.058837-1.68841575 2.518315-1.68841575 4.0350275 0 1.5167124.60096154 2.9475732 1.68841575 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xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m8.14285714 9.42857143c-.17142857 0-.34285714 0-.51428571.08571428l7.28571427 6.34285719c.3428572.2571428.6857143.2571428.9428572 0l7.2857142-6.34285719c-.0857142-.08571428-.2571428-.08571428-.4285714-.08571428zm-1.28571428 1.11428567v.1714286 8.5714286c0 .6857143.6 1.2857143 1.28571428 1.2857143h14.57142856c.6857143 0 1.2857143-.6 1.2857143-1.2857143v-8.5714286c0-.0857143 0-.0857143 0-.1714286l-7.2 6.3428572c-.7714286.6857143-1.8857143.6857143-2.6571429 0z\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" transform=\"translate(-6 -9)\"\/><\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">Email<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                  <\/span>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n \n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>Laila Ward graduated from the Pasadena Rosebud Academy, a charter school for kindergarten through eighth grade in Pasadena, California, at the top of her class, earning a near full scholarship to Pasadena\u2019s prestigious Polytechnic High School.<\/p>\n<p>She was in for a bit of culture shock, however: While her middle school had been majority Black, there were only three other Black students in Ward\u2019s entire grade at Polytechnic.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 315px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/migration-uploads\/LailaWard_InStoryB-3551.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of Laila Ward\" width=\"315\" height=\"490\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Laila Ward hopes to win another crown at the upcoming Pasadena Tournament of Roses Royal Court pageant.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Finding peers that shared her cultural values became a key part of Ward\u2019s high school experience, capped off with her win in the local\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.missblackpasadena.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Miss Black Pasadena<\/a>\u00a0contest. Although snagging the crown was a thrill, meeting kindred spirits was the most valuable part for Ward.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI loved the empowerment aspect of it. I think all Black girls need to feel empowered and to be around other girls who are just like them,\u201d says Ward. \u201cI got a crown and the sash but, to me, we were all queens and we all won.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Her decision to attend the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences continues her journey to find community. Although she\u2019d also gotten into University of California, Berkeley, her father\u2019s alma mater, she opted for USC due to its more diverse student body.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Community care<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ward was born and raised in Pasadena and became an active member of the Los Angeles suburb that hugs the San Gabriel Mountains.<\/p>\n<p>She was a member of the Pasadena Youth Council and served as a Youth Ambassador for the City of Pasadena, providing hot meals to the homeless. As part of her work on the council, she\u2019s helped provide advice on where to place benches or improve lighting around town. She also worked on a project aimed at reducing teen vaping.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think, a lot of times, kids are just bored. If they have activities to attend and more access to opportunities, they\u2019re less likely to vape or drink,\u201d says Ward.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s unlikely Ward has suffered from boredom much herself. In addition to her community service, Ward played volleyball, ran track and led her school\u2019s Black Student Union. Ward also participated in Polytechnic\u2019s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, which advocated for more diverse representation in school curriculum.<\/p>\n<p>It wasn\u2019t always easy being one of the only Black students on campus.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI often felt alone and it wasn\u2019t a good feeling. Socially, economically, there\u2019s just so many different things that divide me from my classmates,\u201d says Ward. \u201cHowever, I always tried to find something in common with them because I know I have something in common with everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 630px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/migration-uploads\/LailaWard_Profile_InStoryA-3551.jpg\" alt=\"Group photo of women wearing dresses\" width=\"630\" height=\"406\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Laila Ward (center) found friendship among her fellow Miss Black Pasadena competitors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Voice of a generation<\/h2>\n<p>Like lots of girls growing up in Pasadena, Ward was enthralled by the annual Rose Parade\u2019s Rose Court Pageant. She planned to enter herself once she became eligible, but her aspirations were delayed when COVID-19 canceled the parade during her senior year of high school. Luckily, Ward discovered that the\u00a0Miss Black Pasadena pageant\u00a0was continuing on virtually.<\/p>\n<p>Tamieko Foster launched Miss Black Pasadena in 2018 to help teen girls who felt overlooked or pigeonholed by mainstream pageants and media. \u201cThe media will often portray only one type of Black girl. We are here to shed light on the many faces of Black and all of the magic that we encompass,\u201d says Foster.<\/p>\n<p>Ward and seven other competitors participated in weeks of workshops that focused on public speaking skills, career building and healthy relationships.\u00a0At the end of the competition, the group gathered at a local restaurant for the crowning of the winner.<\/p>\n<p>Ward stood out from day one, says Foster.\u00a0\u201cLaila is well-spoken, sincere, and has such a powerful perspective. She is definitely a change agent in the community and a voice that can advocate for her generation.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Once and future queen<\/h2>\n<p>Now as a freshman\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/bisc\/b-s-in-human-biology\/\">human biology<\/a>\u00a0major at USC Dornsife, Ward has her eye on becoming a dermatologist. She\u2019s struggled with several skin conditions, including eczema, which makes the field of particular interest to her.<\/p>\n<p>Ward also plans to study Spanish and international relations.\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m passionate about law and I\u2019ve always been into social justice causes. I really like to travel. Learning about international relations combines all of that for me,\u201d says Ward. \u201cI\u2019m excited to explore, learn and just grow and be on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Her pageant ambitions continue, as well. She\u2019s finally getting a chance\u00a0at entering the Rose Court this year. She already has a leg up over most of her competitors \u2014 she\u2019s now an expert at wearing a crown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n  \n        \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--article-related-stories \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--article-related-stories\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n    \n                  <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/calis-teaches-teens-to-understand-a-changing-world\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >Teaching teens to understand a changing world<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n              <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/bottom-dwellers-recovered-mass-extinction\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >Shrimps, worms and similar bottom-dwellers recovered first after history\u2019s largest mass extinction<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n              <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/ukraine-war-hits-home-for-trojan-rower\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >War in Ukraine hits home for Trojan rower<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n            <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Laila Ward, a freshman studying human biology at USC Dornsife, recently took home the crown at the Miss Black Pasadena pageant, which honors local talented teens. <strong>[3\u00be min read]<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":1383,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[150,148,214],"class_list":["post-1380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student","tag-dei-story","tag-students","tag-undergraduate-spotlight"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Miss Black Pasadena aims to fulfill dream of becoming a doctor<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Laila Ward, a freshman studying human biology at USC Dornsife, recently took home the crown at the Miss Black Pasadena pageant, which honors local talented teens.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link 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