Vulnerability is beautiful to me. When one reveals or recognizes true humanity in people, I find it to be more attractive than any standard, societal definition of beauty. It is in the imperfections, it is in the flaws and in the details.

Candiace Dillard tauts a degree in communications from Howard University (Washington, D.C.) During her tenure at Howard, Candiace began tutoring at a local D.C. high school and working with young women at a battered women’s shelter. She was tormented by the disparities faced by the girls in her tutoring group as well the lack of educational reinforcement and self-esteem present within the young women in the shelter. Candiace found there was a need for the young women she worked with to have an outlet – a space to simply be a girl; and a foundation that offered up the self-esteem and empowerment that they may not have otherwise received. Having seen the difference one can make by offering a helping hand at an early age, Candiace started an organization called My Sister’s Keeper: a mentorship and women’s empowerment organization designed to give young girls the opportunity to interact with other women in their communities who could impart wisdom and first-hand experience on girls who might not otherwise be exposed to positive role models. Her call to service was only reinforced during her tenure in the White House Offices of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, where she liaised between the White House and the African American Community for President Barack Obama. She later traded in her suit and heels for the campaign trail where she served as a staffer for the 2012 Presidential Campaign. She plans to take her call to service one step further as she works toward obtaining a Masters in Public Administration. Candiace credits her pageant career -- among other things -- in propelling her through the adverse and intermittently uncompromising tides brought on by the juggling of life’s many challenges. Miss United States 2013 is no stranger to performing. Having competed within the pageant industry for many years, she is also an accomplished musician and vocalist – joining her first girl group at the age of 15. Moving up to the lead vocalist spot, Candiace wrote music and played keyboard with “Blaze” for almost two years while being seen by the likes of Sony and Arista Records. Blaze was exposed to the many growing and changing facets of the music industry, being mentored by accomplished music artists like Kandi Burruss and producers like Rodney “Don Vito” Richard. She has sung in choirs her entire life; from school to church to the Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University where she had the opportunity to tour in Italy, Slovakia, Hungary and Montenegro to name a few. She is blessed to have been able to sing for the most distinguished of dignitaries; from heads of state, to the most humble inner-city corners of the United States and abroad. Candiace says that music is the “song in her heart and the joy on her lips.” If she is not singing or working, Candiace can be found curled up with a good book, as reading is her favorite pastime. From authors like Emily Giffin to the mysteries of Mary Higgins Clark to African-American autobiographies; reading is her therapy. Candiace hopes to spend her year encouraging young women across the country through her organization, My Sister’s Keeper. She looks forward to giving back as an ambassador of the Miss United States Organization through the American Cancer Society as well as forging new and exciting partnerships on its behalf. She states, “I have always tried to live by the mantra that says, ‘go confidently in the direction of your dreams and live the life you have imagined.’”

I love to sing, read, act and try new recipies.