Ericka Dunlap | |
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Ericka Dunlap, Miss America 2004
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Born |
Orlando, Florida, U.S. |
February 17, 1982
Alma mater |
William R. Boone High School University of Central Florida |
Title | Miss Orlando 2001 Miss Heart of Florida 2002 Miss City Beautiful 2003 Miss Florida 2003 Miss America 2004 |
Term | September 20, 2003 - September 18, 2004 |
Predecessor | Erika Harold |
Successor | Deidre Downs |
Spouse(s) | Brian Kleinschmidt (divorced) |
Website | http://www.erickadunlap.com/ |
Ericka Dunlap (born February 17, 1982) is an American beauty pageant titleholder from Orlando, Florida who was named Miss Florida 2003 and subsequently crowned Miss America 2004. Dunlap was the first African American woman to be crowned Miss Florida.
Dunlap is a native of Orlando, attended William R. Boone High School, and is a graduate of the University of Central Florida. While attending college at the University of Central Florida, she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
She and then-husband Brian Kleinschmidt appeared on The Amazing Race 15, where they placed third overall.
In 2004, she was crowned Miss America becoming the seventh African American woman to hold the title. Dunlap's platform was "United We Stand, Divided We Fall Behind: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion." Dunlap appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Hollywood Squares, Live With Regis and Kelly, and Fox News’ The O'Reilly Factor. She also served as Grand Marshal of the Talladega 500 NASCAR race. She has also appeared in a number of movies, including District 9.
Ms. Dunlap’s international appeal began with her travels to the Middle-East during her reign as Miss America to entertain and serve the American troops for Thanksgiving. Most recently, Ericka traveled to Afghanistan to once again boost morale.