2024 Miss Clarksville, Brittani Mays

Hey Belles and Beaus! Today I met with Brittani Mays, the first ever Miss Clarksville, and I can't wait to introduce you guys to her! Not only is she stunning, but she is also sweet, kind, and very relatable! So today, Let's Get Carried Away with Brittani Mays!

Ok wow, so, let's talk about Brittani, the amazing talented, sweet young lady raised right here in Clarksville, TN! A proud 2020 graduate of Clarksville High School, Brittani is a force to be reckoned with. With her mom Brandi Mays and stepdad James Craine by her side, along with her two fabulous older stepsisters Kameron and Karrington, she's truly unstoppable!

Brittani took her passion and drive all the way to the University of Miami, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Administration in December 2023. While in Miami, she dedicated her time to working with political candidates, especially focusing on empowering female candidates to reach new heights. Now that is definitely a cause I can get behind! Women Supporting Women!

She said her favorite part of the area was the amazingly diverse population. She thought she knew about diversity from living in a military town, but Miami showed her a whole new level. She felt like she gained so much from chatting with folks from all walks of life both on and off campus. She loved learning about their cultures and beliefs.

So what is she up to now? Well, she is absolutely crushing her gap year, embracing every life experience before embarking on her journey to law school! Not to mention, she's skillfully managing her roles at the Kennedy Law Firm and Pure Barre, all while radiating as the fabulous Miss Clarksville at numerous events!

Her latest adventure unfolded right by our store at Pinky's Up. Alongside Miss Clarksville Teen, she spent a heartwarming afternoon with delightful kids at Princess for a Day. She shared that initially families were seated separately, but by the event's end, the princesses had forged friendships and were all joyfully immersed in the moment!

I was absolutely thrilled to hear Brittani's story about how she got involved in pageants - it's truly amazing! During her time in Miami, she was watching one of my all-time favorite movies, Miss Congeniality, with her friends. What started as almost a joke turned into a real deal. She was encouraged by them, to take the plunge and enter the world of pageants! And guess what? She signed up to compete at the Miss TN USA pageant. To her surprise, she found the pageant stage to be even more exciting and fun than she had ever imagined. The best part of it all? She loved connecting with other newcomers in the pageant world, forming meaningful relationships like the special bond she shared with her roommate!

During this time at the Miss TN USA pageant, she met Liz Courtney, co-owner and producer of Crowning Touch Productions. Liz filled her in on the upcoming Miss Clarksville pageant and Brittani signed up to compete again. She said she felt more at ease and comfortable on stage at this pageant. The level of support all competitors showed one another was unmatched. She said her favorite part of this pageant was the amount of excitement her fellow contestants showed one another and the celebrating they did collectively.

Other than supporting female politicians, Brittani is deeply committed to bridging the gap between access and achievement through literacy. She firmly believes that literacy is a fundamental right that all children should have equal access to. Brittani advocates for programs that aim to provide resources and support to underserved communities, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to develop strong reading and writing skills. She is currently planning a virtual book drive with Bo Society and Books aimed at collecting 1000 new books for local Title One Schools.

Brittani's goal is to raise awareness about the importance of literacy and the impact it has on children's lives and futures. She is dedicated to implementing initiatives that promote reading proficiency and empower young learners to reach their full potential. Her passion for literacy extends beyond just the act of reading; she envisions a future where every child not only has access to books but also receives the necessary guidance and encouragement to excel in all aspects of life. By fostering a love for reading and learning, she hopes to create a more equitable society where all individuals have the tools they need to succeed.

I decided to ask Brittani to pass out some advice. First to her younger self to which she did not miss a beat! She said first and foremost Let Go and Let God. Secondly give yourself some grace. You do not have to have all the answers. I think that's some advice we could all take to heart!

I also asked her to give some advice to little girls starting into the pageant world. She said always believe in your self and do not allow other outside forces to creep in and make you question your self worth. I asked Brittani what advice could she offer to others who are thinking about trying out a pageant for the first time? She said first off DO IT! Secondly, have fun and be confident. Your confidence shines brighter than any dress will.

During our conversation, I asked further about her thoughts on empowering young girls venturing into the competitive realm of pageantry. Her response was both insightful and inspiring. She emphasized the importance of self-belief and resilience, advising young girls to hold steadfast to their self-worth without letting external influences undermine their confidence. As our discussion progressed, I delved deeper into the subject by seeking Brittani's guidance for older individuals contemplating their inaugural participation in a pageant. Her words were filled with encouragement and positivity, urging aspiring contestants to take the leap and embrace the experience wholeheartedly "JUST DO IT!" According to Brittani, the key to success lies in enjoying the journey and exuding confidence. She firmly believes that inner confidence radiates more brilliantly than any glamorous attire on stage.

Her next events will be the CMCSS Back to School Bash Resource Fair this coming Saturday at Kenwood High School (LEARN MORE HERE), the launching of her virtual book drive initiative that you can participate in by clicking HERE , and the Stuff the Bus Radiothon with Q108 July 25th and 26th.

"I am so grateful for this opportunity to represent Clarksville and more importantly to give back to the community that has given me so much."

-Brittani

To learn more about Miss Clarksville, Brittani Mays, you can find out more about her on LinkedIn or follow her on IG @MissClarksville and @Officialbrittanimays