Spelman College Appoints Co-Miss Spelman's Amid Pageant Controversy

The college aims to address scoring issues and overhaul pageant policies.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:54pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a Spelman College pageant crown, conceptually representing the controversy and debate surrounding the college's decision to name co-winners for the prestigious title.The controversy over Spelman College's decision to name co-Miss Spelman's highlights the complex dynamics and expectations surrounding HBCU campus queen pageants.Atlanta Today

Spelman College has named two students, Jillian Collier and Kinsley Wilson, as co-Miss Spelman College after a scoring error was discovered in the annual pageant. The decision has sparked controversy, with Collier expressing her disagreement and feeling she is being 'cheated out of the title.'

Why it matters

The Miss Spelman College pageant is a long-standing tradition that crowns a student ambassador and leader, with the winner often going on to compete in the Miss National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame pageant. Spelman's decision to name co-winners is highly unusual and has generated significant discussion on social media about HBCU campus queen pageant culture.

The details

During the April 11th pageant, seven students competed for the title of Miss Spelman College, with Jillian Collier named the winner and Kinsley Wilson as the first runner-up. However, a post-pageant review found a 'technical discrepancy in the scoring process.' In response, Spelman announced that both Collier and Wilson will serve as co-Miss Spelman College. Collier has expressed her strong disagreement with the decision, calling it 'unfair and unjust' and saying she feels 'cheated out of the title.'

  • The 43rd Spelman College pageant took place on April 11, 2026.
  • A post-pageant review was conducted following the event.

The players

Jillian Collier

The originally crowned Miss Spelman College, who has expressed her disagreement with the co-winner decision.

Kinsley Wilson

The first runner-up in the Spelman College pageant, who has been named a co-Miss Spelman College alongside Collier.

Spelman College

The historically Black women's college in Atlanta, Georgia, that hosts the annual Miss Spelman College pageant.

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What they’re saying

“Collier said she 'vehemently disagrees' with the co-queen decision, calling it 'unfair and unjust,' and said she feels she is being cheated out of the title.”

— Jillian Collier

What’s next

In a letter to the campus community, Spelman College representatives apologized to the contestants, their family members, and those affected, and promised to overhaul the pageant's policies.

The takeaway

Spelman College's decision to name co-Miss Spelman's has sparked a controversy that highlights the complex dynamics and expectations surrounding HBCU campus queen pageants, where a single winner is typically crowned. The college's efforts to address the scoring issues and review its policies will be closely watched by the Spelman community and beyond.