For most college students, winning Miss Black Florida feels impossible. For Zula Oliviera, it is a reality she has worked for.
Despite her experience in the world of pageantry, this New Jersey native could not have envisioned winning such a prestigious title. Oliviera is not new to the unexpected things life can throw your way; even her collegiate journey has been unpredictable and eye-opening. From transferring from one HBCU to another, Oliviera was content with her decision to attend Florida A&M University.
“I started college before COVID,” Oliviera said. “When everything shut down, I took time off and dealt with some personal family things. When I decided to go back, I knew I didn’t want to return to where I was.”
Oliviera was adamant about building her own path. She had previously attended Clark Atlanta University, following in the footsteps of her parents: her father a Morehouse graduate and her mother an alumna of Clark Atlanta.
“I think I went to please them and not for myself,” she said. “So, I decided to do something for me and start a new legacy in my family.”
Coming to FAMU gave Oliviera the drive she needed to not only continue with her education, but also with her passion in pageantry.
Oliviera’s first ever experience in a pageant was during her time at the Atlanta University Center, where she made history as the first Clark Atlanta student to be crowned Miss Sophomore of Morehouse College. This was a monumental moment as Morehouse is an all-male institution with a well-known tradition of hosting pageants open to women across the AUC.
Although this was a virtual experience, it left a lasting impact.
“I fell in love with pageantry,” she said. “I gained a lot from it, and I knew it was something I wanted to continue.”
Her legacy continued at FAMU as she served on Alpha Phi Alpha’s Royal Court as Miss Beta Nu, an experience she referred to as transformative.
“I learned about sisterhood, leadership and carrying myself in a positive light,” Oliviera said.
This opportunity led her to the Miss Black USA system, which she describes as “the HBCUs of the pageant world.” After being crowned Miss Black Tallahassee in March 2025, Oliviera dedicated herself to community impact, which helped her earn the title of Miss Black Florida USA.
This year’s competition was unlike traditional pageants. It was held virtually consisting of hand-picked contestants and multiple rounds of interviews. Oliviera received the life-changing news later that same day.
“I found out around 5:30 p.m., and I was actually in the car,” she said, laughing. “I just had a moment to myself, prayed and thanked God.”
The emotions, she says, were overwhelming.
“I was shocked, relieved, and just super elated. I invested so much time, money, and energy into this. It felt really good to see that hard work pay off.”
Preparing for the competition went beyond just hair and makeup. Oliviera focused on her mental and emotional well-being, staying active and strengthening her faith while working closely with a pageant coach to refine her interview skills.
Still, the journey had its challenges.
“Learning to accept criticism was a big one,” she said. “It’s easy to think you know what you’re doing, but feedback pushed me to become better.”
Now, as Miss Black Florida, Oliviera’s primary focus is her impact, especially when it comes to uplifting young Black women.
“I want to make it known that there are opportunities like this where you can gain scholarships, serve your community, and represent yourself in a positive light,” she said.
Oliviera’s message to young girls is simple yet powerful.
“Remember that you are your biggest supporter,” she said. “If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will. It starts with you.”
For the future, she has her sight set on Miss Black USA national pageant this August with hopes of continuing her journey in pageantry for years to come. She also dreams of creating opportunities for young girls to build confidence through similar experiences.
“I wish I had started pageants earlier,” she said. “I think it helps instill self-love and confidence.”
There’s only one way to describe Oliviera’s win: alignment.
“I would describe this win as God’s plan,” she said. “I stopped trying to force things and just let everything fall into place, and it did.”
