Jackson roots fuel gumption for Miss Black Ohio 2017

"Women already face so many obstacles just being the minority that is women, then just adding the extra stigma of being a person of color, it can be hard to believe in yourself sometimes," Nkadi said.

A 2016 University of Cincinnati graduate with a bachelor's degree in neuroscience, Nkadi is now pursuing a double master's degree in sociology and business administration.

In 2001, there were riots in Cincinnati after 19-year-old Timothy Thomas, a black man, was shot and killed by a police officer.

In 2015, unarmed black man Samuel DuBose was shot by a University of Cincinnati police officer during a traffic stop, and Nkadi joined others in forming the "Irate 8," a student group on campus.

[...] they were able to secure $1 million in scholarships for underrepresented minorities, plans for renovations to the cultural resource center, student ambassadors in area high schools and a pilot class about racial awareness, Nkadi said.

[...] with her bachelor's degree and her new title in hand, Nkadi is looking at conducting workshops on women's empowerment and preparing for Miss Black USA next August.