Maddie Oliphant Crowned First Black Miss Mississippi Teen USA
Nineteen-year-old Maddie Oliphant has made history in Mississippi. After three attempts, she won the Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2025 crown, becoming the first Black titleholder in the pageant’s history.
A proud native of Hickory, Maddie was not just chasing a crown—she was chasing a purpose. She now plans to use her platform to spread the joy of reading among children across Mississippi. Her mission is to make books easily accessible to kids, especially in daycares, preschools, and small libraries.
Launching ‘Maddie’s Little Library’ to Promote Reading
Maddie is the founder of Maddie’s Little Library, a community service project she created in honor of her younger brother, Evan. Diagnosed with autism at age three, Evan’s progress inspired Maddie to focus on childhood literacy.
“The inspiration behind Maddie’s Little Library is my little brother Evan,” she told WTOK. “Reading helped him so much, and I want to share that with other kids.”
Through book drives and outreach programs, Maddie hopes to supply physical books to children across the state. She believes consistent reading can make a big difference in a child’s comprehension and confidence.
Determined Spirit: Winning After Three Attempts
Winning the crown wasn’t easy. Maddie competed three times before finally securing the title. Her journey is a testament to persistence and believing in one’s dreams.
“I want to show girls that we can do it,” she said. “You can win pageants—go out and go for it.”
Now that she holds the title, Maddie plans to take her message beyond her hometown. She’s determined to inspire girls of all backgrounds to aim high and push through setbacks.
A Strong Support System Behind Her Success
Maddie credits her success to her strong support system. She received encouragement from her family, friends, and mentors, especially those in her small town of Hickory.
“It genuinely does take a community,” she shared. “I couldn’t have done this without my small town and the support I had there.”
She also thanked her makeup artist, Miss Stephanie Moore, who helped her gain confidence from the very beginning of her pageant journey.
Using Her Platform to Uplift Communities
Maddie plans to spend her reign serving her community. She wants to highlight small businesses that supported her and give back in any way she can.
“I want to give back to the people who made this happen,” she said. “Even the smallest favor to them would mean a lot to me.”
She also plans to use her story during the Miss Teen USA interview, showing how pageantry can be used to make a real impact.
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