Overcoming fatherlessness, poor self-image, and society's growing miseducation of sexuality and womanhood... Ocielia Gibson is fulfilling her purpose to young women through More Than a Pretty Face Inc.

A native Texan, Ocielia grew up under the care of her faithful single mother. Yet, she was confused and hurt by  the abandonment of her father - as many young girls like her faced.  However, at age sixteen she made life-changing commitment to follow Jesus Christ.  Shortly after, at age seventeen, Ocielia experienced what she describes as a unique calling from God. It was at this point of her early life that she received her passion to help other young women discover their true identity and not give into the culture's message of promiscuity . At age nineteen, she started More Than a Pretty Face Inc. as a mentoring program for inner-city teen girls while a sophomore at Texas Woman's University. 

 Upon graduating from college, Ocielia worked as a public speaker, STD educator, and abstinence education specialist. She has spoken to tens of thousands of young people through school assemblies, classrooms, churches, and community programs. She continues to motivationally speak to teens, and coordinate mentoring services as a public schools outreach coordinator at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, where Dr. Tony Evans is pastor. With certifications in various abstinence education programs, she specializes in STD awareness  and their specific effects  on African-American teen girls. Her philosophy for reducing promiscuity and achieving abstinence among girls begins with teaching, as well as modeling, healthy self-worth and identity.

Currently, Ocielia is a graduate student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she is pursuing her Master's of Divinity with a concentration in Women's Ministry. She is a proud sister of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., a classically trained pianist. and a certified etiquette consultant. She was recently crowned Miss Black USA 2011, becoming the first representative from Texas to win the national title.

For more information about the Miss Black USA Organization, please visit www.missblackusa.org.

Ocielia's Personal Blog:

www.ocielia.org

Official Miss Black USA website:

www.missblackusa.org

Noted Honors:

• 2005 Total Renaissance Woman Rising Star Award 
• 2007 Who's Who Among Young Women Of Color
• 2008 Macedonia Community Rising Star Award
• 2009 EBONY Magazine  Unsung Hero Award
• 2009 Pine-Sol Woman Making a Powerful Difference  
• Miss Black Texas USA 2011
• Miss Black USA 2011
• 2012 Overcomer Award from Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. at Spelman College