The Visionary Behind the Crown

About Her Knowledge of Becoming (HKB)

Her Knowledge of Becoming (HKB) is the culmination of nearly 3 decades of life in the Queen City and over 20 years of professional expertise in the fashion industry. Our founder, Harriett K. Braxton, recognized a gap in the standard pageant circuit: there was plenty of focus on the "walk", but not enough on the woman. HKB was born out of a desire to create a premiere leadership pipeline, a space where intellectual depth meets high fashion presence, specifically designed for the women of the Carolinas.

We are proud to serve as the Official State Preliminary for the Miss Black International Ambassador (MBIA) program. As the State Director for North and South Carolina, we have aligned HKB with MBIA because of their shared commitment to scholarship, community service, and global empowerment. HKB serves as the exclusive "Ambassador Academy" where our winners are groomed and prepared to represent the Carolinas on the prestigious MBIA national and international stages. When you join HKB, you are joining a legacy of excellence that is recognized far beyond state lines.

While we take pride in our national affiliation, Her Knowledge of Becoming is a standalone program. We have crafted a unique curriculum that speaks directly to the needs of women in the Carolinas; from the HBCU campuses to the corporate high rises. Our mission is not just to crown a representative for a national title, but to provide an independent platform of "Becoming" for every woman who enters our program.

We are set apart by:

The Academy Model: a rigorous 4 module professional development system.
Queenology: Our proprietary study of global Black Queenship, exclusive to HKB.
The Border Battle: A unique competitive structure celebrating 9 representatives from each state across four divisions (Teen, Miss, Ms. and Mrs.)

We aren't just preparing you for a weekend on stage; we are preparing you for a lifetime of influence. Whether you are crowned the State Ambassador or you are graduating as part of our Inaugural 72, you leave HKB with the Knowledge of who you are and the Confidence of who you are becoming.

Welcome to the new standard of excellence in the Carolinas.

Mission

To cultivate a premiere leadership pipeline for the women of the Carolinas by providing the knowledge of their history, the tools for their becoming, and the platform to represent North and South Carolina with unshakeable excellence.

Vision

To be the Carolinas most prestigious Ambassador Academy, where every woman from the student to the executive is empowered to bridge the gap between who she is and who she is destined to become.