By Latrishka Thomas
From London’s bustling streets to the sun-soaked shores of Antigua, Shakyra Davis is bridging two worlds with grace, purpose, and a crown in her sights.
Davis, a 26-year-old Marketing and PR professional from London, is set to represent Antigua and Barbuda in the upcoming Miss Caribbean UK Pageant 2024, carrying the hopes of the twin island on her shoulders and a mission close to her heart.
The event, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will take place on November 2, 2024, at The Shaw Theatre.
Davis, whose mother was born and raised in Antigua, maintains strong ties to the island nation. “I’ve grown up visiting Antigua, I have family there,” she shared. “It’s something that I’m always passionate about.”
However, this isn’t her first foray into pageantry. “I did a pageant 10 years ago when I was 16. I did Miss Teen Caribbean and I enjoyed being able to represent Antigua and Barbuda as it is one of the smaller islands,” she recalled.
The pageant will feature several segments, including carnival wear, evening wear, talent, and a question-and-answer portion. Contestants will also have the opportunity to showcase their chosen charities.
For her part, Davis has selected the Sunshine Home for Girls in Antigua as her charitable focus. “I’ve chosen to support and raise money for the Sunshine Home for Girls this year. And my goal is to raise a thousand pounds to buy the girls Christmas gifts from their wish list,” she explained.
Davis has already raised 24 percent of her target and plans to personally deliver the gifts during a visit to Antigua in December.
Reflecting on her choice, she said: “As a young woman growing up and still growing up, I know the importance of having other women to look up to and other women to support me. And so, for me, I want to do my bit to support other young people in Antigua.”
Beyond the pageant, Davis sees this as an opportunity to promote her heritage. “It’s always been nice to be able to speak to people about Antigua. Being a part of a Caribbean pageant, I think is the perfect platform to do that,” she remarked.
Founded in 2014 by Clayton and Jacqui Brown, Miss Caribbean UK has become a symbol of cultural pride and empowerment, showcasing the grace and talent of Caribbean women in the UK.
This year’s event will see representatives from various Caribbean nations, including Aruba, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
As for her future in pageantry, Davis remains open-minded. “I have considered participating in other pageants, but for me, I think it depends how this one goes,” she said.
Regardless of the outcome, she plans to “continue to speak about Antigua, but also continue to speak about the Sunshine Home for Girls.”
Those wishing to support Davis in her pageant journey can show their appreciation by liking her photo on the official Miss Caribbean UK Instagram page to enable her to win the People’s Choice Award.
Additionally, individuals interested in contributing to Davis’s charitable efforts for the Sunshine Home for Girls can make donations through JustGiving.com. Potential donors should search for ‘Shakyrah Davis’ on the platform to find her fundraising page.
