Miss Represented Podcast: Episode 53 – Featuring Keisha Florvil

Release Date: June 18, 2025

Host: Lisa Opie
Guest: Keisha Florvil, Miss Miami Beach

Introduction to Keisha Florvil

The episode kicks off with Lisa Opie welcoming Keisha Florvil, Miss Miami Beach, with enthusiasm. Keisha expresses her excitement about being on the podcast, highlighting the spontaneous nature of the interview arrangement.

Notable Quote:

"I'm so glad that we're here." — Keisha Florvil [00:12]

Keisha’s Early Leadership Journey

Keisha shares her passion for leadership and mentorship, tracing it back to her childhood. At just seven years old, she initiated a mentorship group in her daycare, aiming to foster a Bible study and support system for her peers. Despite the group's eventual disbandment, this experience ignited her desire to lead and serve others.

Key Points:

• Early Mentorship: Started at age seven with her daycare peers.
• Family Support: Her mother facilitated materials, and her father managed financing.
• First Leadership Challenge: The group disbanded when her sister deemed it "not cool."

Notable Quote:

"I felt so alive doing it. Even though I was very shy in school, I knew I always wanted to do that for the rest of my life." — Keisha Florvil [01:28]

Resilience Through Challenges

Keisha recounts her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she started an online Zoom support group for girls across various countries. However, as Zoom fell out of favor, the group dissolved. Her journey into pageantry began unexpectedly during her senior year of high school, leading to her first Miss America competition where she placed third runner-up.

Key Points:

• COVID-19 Initiative: Launched a Zoom support group that lasted about a year.
• Entry into Pageantry: Encouraged by a friend to compete in Miss America, initially hesitant but eventually succeeding.
• Miss Florida Journey: Her unexpected win at Miss America propelled her into the Miss Florida race.

Notable Quote:

"It was just so spontaneous. It's crazy to think about. And I always look back on that, and I'm just like, me three years ago, I would be so proud of where I'm at now." — Keisha Florvil [03:28]

The Day of the Miss Miami Beach Competition

One of the most gripping moments of the episode is Keisha’s recounting of the day she competed for Miss Miami Beach. Just ten minutes away from the competition, she was involved in a four-car collision. Despite the chaos and emotional turmoil, her determination to compete prevailed.

Key Points:

• Car Accident: Occurred minutes before the competition, causing significant delays.
• Police Encounter: The officer admonished her not to tremble for her pageant.
• Competition Performance: Despite arriving two hours late and dealing with brain fog, Keisha triumphed, winning the title along with awards for Best Talent and Best Social Media Ambassador.

Notable Quotes:

"I was like, nope, next play." — Keisha Florvil [05:18]

"I did not think about anything else. No matter how many times people asked if I was okay, I was focused on competing." — Keisha Florvil [05:04]

Overcoming Insecurities and Embracing Authenticity

Keisha delves into her personal growth, emphasizing the importance of self-worth and authenticity. She highlights a pivotal moment after her accident when she realized that her value wasn't tied to titles but was inherent within her. This epiphany deepened her faith and mental health, allowing her to become a more impactful leader and speaker.

Key Points:

• Foundational Beliefs: Faith and mental health as cornerstones of her self-worth.
• Inner Confidence: Transition from external validation to internal strength.
• Platform – Reach from Within: Focuses on inner qualities over superficial attributes.

Notable Quote:

"I have to find that inner confidence and that inner why. And now I really am sharing not only the message about my faith through my song, but I'm also just sharing the depth of who I am." — Keisha Florvil [16:07]

Redefining Pageantry: Beauty, Brains, and Boldness

Keisha passionately discusses her mission to destigmatize pageantry, advocating for a focus on internal qualities rather than just external appearances. Her platform, "Reach from Within," underscores the importance of what lies beneath the surface, promoting inner strength and lasting values over transient beauty.

Key Points:

• Platform – Reach from Within: Emphasizes eternal values and inner confidence.
• Authenticity in Appearance: Balancing makeup and personal authenticity.
• Redefining Standards: Advocating for deeper connections and meaningful representation.

Notable Quote:

"What's truly important is what's inside of you. My platform capitalizes on everything that matters— what's internal and what's eternal." — Keisha Florvil [11:35]

Building a Legacy Beyond Pageantry

Keisha envisions her role as Miss Florida as a stepping stone to a broader impact. She aims to launch a women’s retreat, expand her nonprofit, and develop her personal brand focused on empowering women. Her goal is to create a supportive community that fosters confidence and provides lasting support beyond the pageant stage.

Key Points:

• Women’s Retreat: Plans to organize retreats for bonding, community building, and empowerment.
• Nonprofit Growth: Expanding her initiatives to support mental health and leadership.
• Legacy Building: Ensuring her influence extends beyond her reign as Miss Florida.

Notable Quote:

"This is really something that's going to propel in the future and shake something in the future." — Keisha Florvil [19:58]

Coaching and Mentorship

Beyond her pageantry roles, Keisha is actively involved in coaching and mentoring other women. Working with Powerhouse Pageantry and under the mentorship of Coach Megan, she helps women build confidence and achieve their goals. Keisha emphasizes the importance of empowering others as a core aspect of her mission.

Key Points:

• Mentorship Role: Leading and coaching women even before winning her state title.
• Empowerment Focus: Helping women build confidence and pursue their aspirations.
• Community Impact: Using her platform to elevate others’ voices and causes.

Notable Quote:

"Helping women build confidence is, I think, a huge reason why I'm in here and why I was created for a purpose." — Keisha Florvil [24:15]

Advice for Aspiring Leaders and Competitors

Keisha offers insightful advice for those feeling insecure or overwhelmed. She encourages staying rooted in one’s purpose, practicing mindfulness, and focusing on creating opportunities for others rather than seeking personal glory.

Key Points:

• Stay Purpose-Driven: Remember the fundamental reasons for pursuing goals.
• Mindfulness Practices: Techniques to maintain confidence and grounding.
• Community over Competition: Building supportive networks to enhance personal and collective growth.

Notable Quote:

"Sometimes it's so simple, and we get caught up in the extra stuff, forgetting why we started in the first place." — Keisha Florvil [14:00]

Engaging Segment: This or That

Towards the end of the episode, Lisa and Keisha engage in a light-hearted "This or That" game, revealing Keisha's personality and preferences. While fun, this segment provides a brief glimpse into Keisha’s playful side but doesn't delve deeply into her core messages.

Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with mutual appreciation between Lisa and Keisha, highlighting the depth and inspiration Keisha brings to her role as Miss Miami Beach and her broader ambitions. Keisha encourages listeners to follow her journey on social media.

Social Media Handles:

• Keisha Florvil: @KeishaFlorvil
  (Note: Future handles may include Miss America Florida)

Key Takeaways

• Early Leadership: Keisha’s journey began in childhood, fostering a lifelong passion for mentorship and leadership.
• Resilience: Overcoming setbacks, such as the car accident on competition day, showcases her tenacity and focus.
• Authenticity: Emphasizing inner qualities over external appearances redefines traditional pageantry standards.
• Legacy Building: Keisha aims to create lasting impacts through retreats, coaching, and community empowerment.
• Empowerment through Faith: Her faith and mental health advocacy underpin her mission to inspire and support others.

Quotes to Remember

• "Don't compare your chapter one to somebody else's chapter ten." — Keisha Florvil [07:40]
• "You're showcasing why you are already valuable." — Keisha Florvil [25:39]
• "Where you started in life literally does not determine where you're going." — Keisha Florvil [23:18]

Stay Connected:
Follow Keisha Florvil on Instagram @KeishaFlorvil for updates on her journey, upcoming book, retreats, and more empowering content.

This episode of "Miss Represented" provides an inspiring look into Keisha Florvil’s life, highlighting her resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to empowering women. Her story serves as a testament to the power of inner strength and the impact of authentic leadership.