Miss Black Massachusetts USA 2008
Melissa Safiya McClinton
Age: 23
School: Boston Latin High School; Dartmouth College;
Howard University, Bachelor's of Science in
Communications-Film Production(3.98 Summe Cum Laude);
New York University, Kanbar Institute of Television
and Film: MFA in Film and Television Production
Major: Film Directing; Film and Television Production
Talent: Monologue with Original Short film
Platform: Improving the Lives of Children in Foster Care
Achievements: Student Emmy Award Recipient - District of Columbia; Foster Parent serving New York City children; Grant Recipient from Metro Teen AIDS and Cable Positive; Mentor and volunteer for Dartmouth Alliance for Adopted Children of Color; President's Leadership Award - New York University 2006 Dean's Scholarship - New York University; Top Ten Miss New York State 2004 & Top Interview (Miss
America); Miss Five Boroughs 2004 & Top Interview (Miss America Org.) Miss District of Columbia - 1st Runner Up, & Top Interview 2003 (Miss America) Miss District of Columbia - 2nd Runner Up 2001 (Miss America ); Philadelphia International Film Festival Best Short Film (July 2007) ; Reel Sister’s Film Festival Curator’s Award (2007); Garden State International Film Festival Best Student Short (March 2007) Short Shorts Competition, Duluth, MN; Best Short (March 2007); Philadelphia International Film Festival Best Short Film (July 2006); Howard University- Annenberg Honors Program Excellence in Communications Award - Howard University 2002