Diversity has been on the rise in the pageant world, as women from various racial and ethnic backgrounds compete in — and win — competitions at the local, regional, state and national levels.

Alabama’s Carrington Hodge, a Black woman from Helena, recently was named the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2023, for example. In 2019, the winners of Miss USA, Miss America, Miss Teen USA, Miss Universe and Miss World all were Black women.

A new Miss Alabama will be crowned this weekend, and that got us thinking: How Black women have won the title of Miss Alabama or Miss Alabama USA? As it turns out, a total of five women have earned these state crowns, starting in 1993. Here’s the breakdown.

(In case you’re wondering, Miss Alabama and Miss Alabama USA are not the same thing. They are two different pageant organizations, with different rules, timelines and histories. One important thing to know: Miss Alabama winners move on to compete in the Miss America pageant. Miss Alabama USA winners go on to compete for Miss USA and possibly Miss Universe.)

RELATED: Miss USA and Miss America: What’s the difference?