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  Krystal Okeke, is a Nigerian-American model, actress, journalist and philanthropist. She is the founder of the America Kids Multicultural World Organization and Miss and Mrs America Nation beauty pageant. At different points, she was crowned as the Ms Illinois USA Universal 2016 and Ms USA Universal 2016.
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Early Life And Education

Krystal was born in Chicago, Illinois, US. Krystal’s father is from Taraba State, while her mother is from Anambra State. She speaks English, Igbo and Hausa fluently, and also has a daughter. However, some media sources often state that She is from Anambra State, Nigeria (a fact that is strange within the Nigerian context, given that people’s origins are often traced to the patriarchal line rather than the matriarchal line). Growing up, She spent her formative years in Kaduna State, Nigeria, where she lived for 16 years learning Nigerian culture, before returning to the US. In 2017, Krystal graduated with a degree in mass communication from Prairie State College, before finally graduating from Governors State University with a degree in journalism.

Career

2012–2016: Career beginnings, while growing up, Krystal used to watch Miss World and Miss Universe beauty pageant, which led her to start modelling at the age of 5 years. In 2012 while still in Nigeria, she officially started her career as a model. After a few years, she moved back to the US, to further her modelling career. She had three attempts to win Miss Illinois USA, before finally winning Ms Illinois USA Universal 2016 in her fourth attempt at pageantry in February 2016, alongside her daughter, Kleopatra Vargas, who was crowned Baby Miss Illinois 2016. Winning Ms Illinois USA Universal 2016, earned her the right to represent the state of Illinois at Ms USA Universal 2016.
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In July 2016, she finished in the top three, earning 2nd runner up and winning Illinois state ambassador at Ms USA Universal 2016 which held at Peppermill Reno, Nevada. 2017–present: America Kids Multicultural World Organization and Miss America Nation beauty pageant. In 2017, she founded America Kids Multicultural World Organization and Miss America Nation beauty pageant. Queen Krystal is a dedicated humanitarian who has continue to use her capacity and intelligence to impact lives across Europe, America and Africa. As a single mother of little Kleopatra Vargas, Queen Krystal has remained adept in improving the lives of widows, single mothers and women through empowerment projects and programs. She was recently made an Ambassador of the Nigeria Police Force when she Guested the Kaduna state chapter of POWA Annual Empowerment project in Nigeria. She was honoured and recognized as a World Class Beauty Queen in 2017, the same year she graduated from the Governors State University with a degree in Journalism. During the uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020, Krystal Okeke was very busy and instrumental. She helped the less privileged in ways that she could to keep them going as far as they could. According to her, in an interview with This Day Live:
‘…in 2020, I was able to feed a lot of the underprivileged community, doing a lot of charity works in the pandemic. So, 2020 was one of the busiest years for me, it was one of the most successful years too.’
Her resolve to positively affect human lives both at home and in the diaspora is evidently unwavering as she has over time come to the aid of vulnerable communities and displaced persons.
‘As a young woman, and all the experiences I have had, regardless, I come back to Nigeria at least two to three times in a year. I give back the little I have and this is not bragging; this is just a passion. I know not everybody can be change agents but I think Nigerians in Diaspora can do more and that’s my goal being an ambassador of Nigeria in Diaspora.’

Award And Recognition

A personality that has attained such a feat in a foreign land will not be void of several honours. Some of such awards and honours include the following:
  • In October 2019, Krystal was awarded a police medal of honour as an ambassador by the Nigeria Police Force.
  • In 2020, Krystal received an award of honour as Nigerian Young Female Diaspora of the Year by Igbere TV.
  • In 2020, Krystal received the Ambassadorial Award of Nigerian Youth in Diaspora by the Coalition of the Nigerian Youth Association.
  • Nigerian Queen Hall of Fame honour 2020.

Source:

This Day Live ModernGhana Wikipedia Featured Image Source: 9jaFlaver
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This article was first published on 24th March 2021

jeremiah

Jeremiah is a scholar and a poet. He has a keen eye for studying the world and is passionate about people. He tweets at @jeremiahaluwong.


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One thought on “Krystal Okeke: A Model And A Role Model”


  • Ask people around you to help you identify when you’re worrying. Sometimes when people worry, they ask a multitude of questions attempting to feel as though they know what is to come

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