BEAUTIFUL Becki Pearson could be on the catwalk to stardom.

BEAUTIFUL Becki Pearson could be on the catwalk to stardom.

The stunning 20-year-old part-time model has beaten off thousands of hopefuls to make it to the final of Miss Black Britain and is now out on a mission to break the mould in the fashion industry.

She said: “Black women are beautiful and underrated. The way we are built - sometimes quite powerful and muscular - doesn't fit the typical model figure.

“I want to help make a change, push for black women and move everything forward.”

Miss Pearson of Copleston Road, Ipswich has out-modelled more than 4,000 rivals to reach the finals of Miss Black Britain, a showcase of talent for young black women and a possible platform for global success.

She will be one of 30 contestants to head to Birmingham in November for the grand final.

Miss Pearson, who works as a beauty therapist at Martlesham Leisure Centre, applied for the competition last year, but was too scared to go through with it.

This year, however, she decided to go for it and endured two gruelling rounds of casting in London, during which she was grilled by a panel of judges and strutted her stuff on the catwalk.

Miss Pearson, said it felt amazing to succeed. She said: “It has been a brilliant experience and such a learning curve. “There are a lot of girls like me who haven't always known they are capable of it or haven't taken opportunities in front of them.

“This competition is giving recognition to black women because they are not used enough in the fashion industry. I am so excited about it.”

The Miss Black Britain organisation claims its live events are a dynamic fusion of fashion, dance and music, while celebrating the richness of black culture and beauty.

It also says the competition aims to overturn the negative image, including gang violence and gun crime, often associated with young black people.

For more information about Miss Black Britain, visit www.missblackbritain.co.uk.

Are you supporting Becki in her quest? Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

FAST FACTS

Now in its third year, Miss Black Britain - and its brother competition, Mr Black Britain - aims to celebrate the physical and inner beauty of young black men and women.

The event has attracted sponsors such as Selfridges, Moet&Chandon, Harvey Nichols, AND1, Vicky Martin and Bigga Drinks.

The competition can provide the platform and infrastructure to help black models with their journey within the modelling industry and beyond.

Last year's Miss Black Britain, Hannah Osunsina, has flown all over the world for modelling jobs, including a photoshoot in St Lucia.

The organisation also strives to promote a positive image to counteract associations of crime and violence linked with young black people.