Shantae
Morris
Business Owner | Content Creator | National Queen
Miss Queen Edmonton ‘22 | Miss Personality Western Canada ‘23
Miss Petite Canada 2024
I want to guide you through who I am as a two-time Canadian national titleholder, businesswoman, content creator, and active community member. Click 'Self Care’ to learn about my message as a content creator. Use the 'Girl Pantry' tab to determine the foundation's mission, pillars, and fundraising targets. Find past and upcoming events, appearances, and more through the 'Events' tab above, and learn about my #DREAMJOURNEY by clicking ‘Miss Petite Canada.‘
Welcome to my world! Happy Scrolling :)
About Me
Hey Y'all !
I am Shantae Morris, the reigning Miss Petite Canada ‘24 and Miss Personality Western Canada ‘23 with Personality Pageants Canada. I am a 21-year-old student at MacEwan University, a small business owner, and the founder of the Girl Pantry Foundation.
Born and raised in Jamaica, I always had an affinity for the spotlight. As early as three years old, I competed in reading and spelling competitions at the national level, performed poetry and dialects, and even sang in church as a part of the youth choir. Before leaving Jamaica, I was on a praise dance team and a member of the youth ministry, where we travelled for outreach to children’s homes and homes for displaced and abused girls, and even volunteered with the Salvation Army.
I excelled in track and field, cheerleading, dialect performances, and academics in school. I was my inter-school debate champion, fire-safety quiz team co-captain, and a recurring name on the Principal’s Honor roll throughout primary school.
I became a pageant gal at four years old, winning my first title as Miss Kensington Basic in Jamaica. I won second and first runner-up Mini Miss Portmore at ten and eleven years old, respectively. My philanthropic endeavours began with pageantry, as our systems primarily involved community outreach with fundraising and appearances. As first runner-up, I was invited to the Mayor’s residence to perform a dialect my mother wrote for their community Christmas gathering.
I moved to Canada with my family when I was 12. I wished to continue my career in pageantry once I had settled in Canada, but pageantry was an unspoken territory. I had no idea they existed here, so I laid my dream to rest until 2022 - eight years later- when an Instagram ad led me to Personality Pageants’ Queen Alberta Pageant.
I competed without knowing what to expect or how to navigate Canadian pageantry, winning my first title as Miss Queen Edmonton.
The rest is history.
Introducing your new...
Miss Petite Canada 2024
With joy and a posture of humility, I am proud to have been awarded the Miss Petite Canada 2024 title. In June 2024, I will compete internationally at the Universal Petite Pageant on the Carnival Cruise Line to Mexico.
As my new title overlaps my reign as Miss Personality Western Canada, my previously planned activities will continue as the genesis of my year as Miss Petite Canada.
The Evolution of Empress Nails
What is now Empress Nails, started as a means to pass the time in 2020. I was in the final months of my last year of high school and it had now been two weeks since schools shut down. I needed something to keep me occupied.
@empressnailsyeg
I took to YouTube and tried everything I could find. I learned how to braid my hair, install my crochet locs, and the best products for my skin's needs. One day, I stumbled upon a "Beginner Nail Tech Amazon Haul" video and discovered Amazon Prime. I ordered everything I saw in the video and practiced at the little desk in the corner of my bedroom.
@officialempressacademy
I practiced - and gave up over and over for six months before posting my first ad on Facebook Marketplace. Lockdowns gave me time to practice, research, and refine my skills. Little did I know that what was meant to be a hobby would become my full-time career in the following years.
I fell in love with doing nails and have been connected with women from all walks of life because of it. I spend my days building relationships and preparing students for their new careers.
#QueenofSelfCare
My social media platform combines my love for content creation with the base of my advocacy: self-care. With every video I create, I showcase the implementation of self-care habits in my day-to-day to encourage my audience to practice self-care however it best suits them.
Social media allows me to create a community that connects with everything I love as a self-care enthusiast. From hair and skincare to solo dates, outfit reels, and mini vlogs, there is always a moment of joy, a mist of personality, and a little storytelling to embody a full experience.
Specially made for the delegates of the 2024 Queen Alberta Pageant, I share a few tips on how I release first-day jitters and mentally prepare for and make the most of the pageant weekend.
More to explore. Click a video!
#MakeupRoutine
#Skincare
#Mini-Vlog
#Pageantgirls
Community
The Girl Pantry Foundation
Accessibility
Education
“ Empowering our community through a new level of security.”
Girl Pantry is built on three pillars, guiding how we show up in outreach, partnerships, and social media.
Girl Pantry Calendar Year
Build Social Media Presence
Building the #GPCommunity is vital for Girl Pantry’s mission to create a community of support and empowerment fo those experiencing period poverty. For the first three months in operation, we intend to build our community with posts, reels, and stories for the genesis of conversation around period poverty and to share just how deeply this issue affects our neighbors in need.
What does that look like?
Purposeful Partnerships
Girl Pantry sets the example of building community by building our own through partnerships with larger organizations, like Sophia Lia Mental Health Magazine, in a collaborative effort to spread our message, increase awareness and educate our audience.
What does that look like?
Creating Opportunities to Grow Our Community and Spread Awareness
To ensure consistent growth of our community and progress toward our target of increased accessibility for those in need, we are committed to creating community events and donation opportunities for the genesis of conversations surrounding period poverty.
What does that look like?
Past and Upcoming Events
more to come...
My future as...
Miss Petite Canada
WOW. I can not believe I was crowned the first Miss Petite Canada with Personality Pageants. I firmly believe in the reward of hard work and perseverance, so I plan to continue working, holding this title as I have with my previous titles.
I created a calendar year plan to enforce accountability and ensure growth during my reign as Miss Personality Western Canada. I used the first six months of my first national title to review and develop my goals as a young leader and active community member. I researched and strategized to expand my platform with the Girl Pantry Foundation for a lasting impact after passing on my crown.
In the month since my title as Miss Petite Canada was announced, I created a roadmap detailing the confirmed, achieved, and prospective plans for the first four months of my reign. As my personal network develops, this roadmap will increase in length to reflect the capacity of my intended reach over the calendar year as Miss Petite Canada.
With just one click, you will learn all that I have planned and achieved so far as Miss Petite Canada.
3 months in, here’s what I’ve been up to...
First Appearance
While introducing Girl Pantry to my community of faith was nerve-wracking, the outpour of support I have received reassures me of the trust I have in my tribe.
Radio Interview
I had the pleasure of being a guest at HGG radio for a second time! I had the opportunity to speak about the genesis of Girl Pantry and share about the urgency of period poverty.
Girl Pantry on Social Media
I launched Girl Pantry’s Instagram, targeting our goal of establishing a social media presence as per our calendar year plan.
GP Discusiions
As part of Girl Pantry's building social media presence, our pillar of education is primarily exercised on our online platform with monthly discussion topics.
Girl Pantry Official Launch Benefit
Girl Pantry’s Official Launch benefit was a success! We have raised more than $2200 in period products! We exceeded all our goals going into our benefit and donations are still coming!
To be continued …
Public Speaking
After discussing with his team at the Girl Pantry Official Launch Benefit, the Eden Garden Church leader allowed me to share Girl Pantry’s mission and efforts with his congregation the next day.
Dear Diary
My Blue Story...
Competing in the Miss Queen Canada Nationals 2023 gave me another opportunity to tell my story, and one of my favorite storytelling mediums is fashion. I chose to wear blue throughout the competition to honor my cousin, great-grandmother, aunt, and other family members I have lost due to cancer. This is also a reminder to live with the strength they fought with.
Little Me, In a BIG Space
In February of 2023, I was invited to the first-ever Black History Month Opening Ceremony at Ross Sheppard High School, where I am a proud alum. I shared my platform with the senior class and connected with the executive team from Africa Center Edmonton.
I was a Pageant Judge...... Twice!
I was first invited as a judge to the Miss All Canadian Pageant shortly after earning my Miss Queen Edmonton title in 2022. On the day of the pageant, I was re-invited to their National competition once again to resume my role, and this time, as Miss Personality Western Canada. Seeing what things looked like from the other side of the stage opened my eyes to how I could improve my performance onstage at the 2023 PPCA Nationals and wow my judges!
My First Shoot as Miss Petite Caada
I had been so eager to announce my title of Miss Petite Canada, but of course, with a bit of flare. This was also my first outdoor/cabin-themed shoot, so while it was a bright sky, I went for something cozy to bring out my sash... I mean eyes :).
Content Day
Being the founder of Girl Pantry has allowed me to expand my skills as a content creator to the philanthropic space. While I have never seen anyone engage with their non-profit community in this way, I believe in the effectiveness of innovation.
Community Dinner
As a member of the Youth and Women’s Ministry in my church, I was a part of putting together a community dinner for the members of our congregation who sometimes struggle to provide for themselves and their families. We created an atmosphere that fostered the formation of new friendships and strengthened bonds.
Mastery doesn’t mean you have come to the end of all knowledge.
Mastery means you continue to find new dimensions and unlock new levels in a space that you seemingly dominate to become exceedingly better.
Featured in...
Nail Pro Magazine 30 - Under - 30
Announced in December of 2023, I am the youngest on this year’s Nail Pro Magazine 3o Under 30 List of nail artists to watch out for in the industry. As a self-taught nail artist, being the youngest on a list among some of the most highly trained industry professionals testifies to the rooms you can enter through hard work and dedication. It is an honour to be recognized.
Read the Article
Perumira Global Talent Magazine
In April 2024, I was interviewed by Jaime William of the Perumira Global Talent Magazine. I am the first Jamaican ambassador to be featured on their platform. This interview reflects on the foundation of who I am as a two-time Canadian national titleholder, how I crafted my international platform and presence, and all that inspires me.
Full Interview
HIGHER GROUND GOSPEL (HGG) Radio
Announced in December of 2023, I am the youngest on this year’s Nail Pro Magazine 3o Under 30 List of nail artists to watch out for in the industry. As a self-taught nail artist, being the youngest on a list among some of the most highly trained industry professionals testifies to the rooms you can enter through hard work and dedication. It is an honour to be recognized.
Watch the Interview
C o m m u n i t y A l b u m
