Cherita D. Williams is a multifaceted Pageant Queen who is a visionary from South Carolina, that is breaking barriers in her personal and professional life as a “boy-mom,” proudly raising her two sons (the oldest is a Sophomore in college) and business owner. Ms. Williams is the CEO of Authentique Brands which currently includes: the nationally growing Authentique Beauties Pageant for young ladies (age: 6 months-17 years/ current states include: South Carolina, Mississippi, Maryland, North Carolina, Texas, Florida and Georgia), the Authentiquelly Y.O.U. Women’s Pageant (ages: 25 and up), and Jewels Mentorship Program (ages: 5 and up).
Ms. Williams is what she calls, “a serial entrepreneur” with several businesses including: Brighter Minds Academy, Brighter Learning, Brighter Minds Tutoring & Aftercare as well as Brighter Playscapes, Mobile Soft Play. Ms. Williams can be found actively giving back to her community stocking “blessing boxes” for the less fortunate, sponsoring Mental Health Conferences, and “Mom’s Day Off” free childcare for single mothers, and more! Cherita is also a decorated Pageant Queen winning several local distinctions as well as National titles, most recently being crowned, Ms. National Sorority Pageant 2023. Her platform is “Empowering Women and Children while providing Authentique Experiences.”
Name: Cherita D. Williams
Family dynamics: Mother of 2 Boys
Hobbies/Pastime: Working in the community, empowering women and children is a past time of mine; member of the Order of the Eastern Star; enjoy traveling and meeting new people; and love interacting with my family especially my boys when they have time for me.
Business/Talent? I am a creatively multi-talented, author and serial entrepreneur with several businesses including Brighter Minds Child Development Services,LLC., Brighter Soft Play Scapes, LLC. (Mobile Party and Soft Play Services), Notary Public, CPR/First Aid Trainer, Child Development Consultant, Founder, CEO and National Director of Authentique Beauties/ Brands, LLC.
Where are you from? Born in Buffalo, NY. Raised in Cayce/ West Columbia, SC. Currently residing in Columbia, SC.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about childcare/ development, women’s empowerment, sisterhood and pageantry. What’s the driving force behind it? Challenging situations in my childhood leading into adulthood.
Whats your skill set? My skill set revolves around childcare/ child development, education and business creation/ entrepreneurship and creative design.
What set you apart from others of your same field? My vision, dreams and authenticity sets me apart from others in the same field. I do things, the “Cherita Way,” which means with care, creativity and thoughtfulness but with IMPACT.
If you could choose any career in the world, would you still choose the career or talent you have? If I could choose any career or talent it would be teaching/ educating which is what I do in every aspect of my life and it extends through my businesses. Although I would like to make more money, I am doing exactly what I want to do.
What would you tell your younger self? Trust yourself enough to know that you are capable of doing anything that you set your mind to, and that you’re stronger than you think.
Knowing what you know now, would you change anything in your past? It may sound like a cliché but No, I wouldn’t change anything because my past has made me the woman that I am today. Although things aren’t perfect its all working together for my good.
Who are your rolemodels? My greatest role model, my adopted mother, has transitioned to heaven but her life and examples inspire me. She is watching over me. She taught me how to love others despite their flaws, no matter if they’re related or not. She gave me one of the greatest gifts, which was receiving me into her family.
What would you say to those that are starting out in your field? Come on over, I don’t bite! LOL Just kidding. I would tell them, “If I can do it, so can you!”
What is your favorite quote? Explain? My favorite quote is, “Be authentically you, the world will adjust!” This quote has stuck with me ever since I founded Authentique Beauties. It inspires me to be myself in whatever things that I do.
If you were an animal, what would it be and why? If I were an animal, it would be a butterfly, which is the symbol of my pageant system, and it represents my personal process of transformation as well as the hope for a brighter future, that we instill in the people that we encounter.
What does being authentique mean to you and why? Being “Authentique” means to impact your community and the world by embracing your uniqueness with boldness, brightness, positive energy and love.
What has been your biggest accomplishment? My biggest accomplishment has been raising my 2 sons despite the challenges.
Heard you added pageantry to your roster? Is this your first pageant? Would you like to do anymore? I participated in pageantry as a teenager and rediscovered it in my latter years, most recently winning the title: Ms. South Carolina Plus America 2022-23. I am the reigning Ms. National Sorority Pageant 2023-24. I founded a national pageant system called: Authentique Beauties, which began as a pageant for youth in South Carolina and has grown to have representation in 7 states. The vision has expanded to include older women (Authentiquelly YOU), boys (Mr. Handsomes) and a co-ed youth mentorship program called: The Jewels and Gems Mentorship Program.
What advice would you give first time pageant queens about pageantry? I would advise first time pageant queens to make sure that you know what you are looking for in a pageant system; thoroughly research the system that you’re entering and ensure that you’re prepared for the commitment and investment. Learn the values and what the system stands for, because every pageant system isn’t for every queen. Go into it with an open mind and heart, giving it your best.
Whats a fun fact about you? A fun fact about me is that I love riding in the car having my own personal concert, singing loudly as if I am a part of a music video.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? In 5 years, whew!!! I have personally been considering running for state office. But I won’t go into any specifics at this time. In 10 years, I hope to be retiring from some of my pursuits, watching the fruits of my labor flourish. I plan to travel around the world, because I love traveling. Not rushing but possibly being a “Gigi” (grandmother) because I love children!
If you could leave a lasting legacy, what would that look like? My legacy includes the expansion of all of the programs, events and activities that I have been blessed to establish and that they impact the communities that the seeds were planted in; inspiring the next generations to reach for even more than I could imagine! But most importantly for every little girl or boy that has faced challenges or trauma to be transformed into their authentic self, realizing their inner strength, embracing their dreams, developing a voice and letting the world know, “Be Authentiquelly YOU, the world will adjust!”
Social Media Handles:
Facebook: Authentique Beauties National Pageant
Website: authentiquebeautiesbrandllc.org