[audio:http://www.wdde.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Bullinterview.mp3|titles= Delaware Public Media's Anne Hoffman interviews Miss Delaware USA 2015 Renee Bull.]
Renee Bull is the first African American to officially hold the title of Miss Delaware USA. The 21 year old Middletown native won the crown of Miss Delaware USA 2015 on November 30th in Wilmington. The first African American winner of the crown was a woman named Renee Smith in 1991, but she resigned shortly after winning.
“When I realized it wasn’t my name as a first runner-up, I just remember almost collapsing in shock and gratitude.”
Bull says she and her fellow contestants weren’t competitive. “It was a sisterly vibe.”
“Backstage we were like, what’s done is done.”
The new Miss Delaware USA has her own nonprofit called Girls to Girls, which helps young women map out their dreams and goals to overcome low self-esteem. Bull herself had a poor self-image when she was growing up and got teased for having eczema, a skin condition.
Her mother encouraged her to move forward and embrace her inner beauty. That mentorship is something Bull believes all young women need in their lives.
As the second African American woman ever crowned Miss Delaware USA, Bull often thinks about being a role model to other children of color. She herself was inspired by increased representation of black women in pageants and media, specifically by Miss Universe 2011, Layla Lopes, who is African-American.
“I think it’s really important that not only me, but so many other African-Americans are really getting the courage to go after these roles.”
Bull is hoping to complete her college degree in the coming months, either at Wilmington University or Delaware State.