NEW YORK (AP) -- When Cheslie Kryst won the Miss USA crown, it marked more than a personal triumph: It meant that for the first time, three black women are the reigning Miss USA, Miss Teen USA and Miss America.
- Cheslie Kryst from Charlotte was crowned Miss USA
- Nia Franklin from Winston-Salem was crowned Miss America in September
- MORE: NC Attorney Crowned Miss USA
The North Carolina lawyer completed the historic triple Thursday with pageant winners 2019 Miss America Nia Franklin and recently crowned 2019 Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris.
Miss USA started in 1952. The first black winner wasn't until 1990.
The Miss America pageant began in 1921 but women of color were barred from participating until 1940 by a rule that said contestants must be of "the white race.''
In 1970, Cheryl Browne became the first black woman to participate in the Miss America pageant.