Following her May 2024 graduation from UCCS, Fatima Stansell has seamlessly transitioned from student to educator and now to a celebrated pageant winner.
Just five months after graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Inclusive Elementary Education, Fatima was crowned Ms. Black Colorado USA 2025. She also has endorsements in Special Education (SPED) and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLD).
As Ms. Black Colorado USA 2025, her platform – Bridging the Literacy Gap – ties directly to what she hopes to accomplish in her kindergarten classroom at Colorado Springs District 11’s Adams Elementary School.
“Reading truly is fundamental, and I am committed to making a lasting impact,” she said, highlighting her mission to raise awareness about literacy challenges and support students in developing essential skills.
The prestigious title is her first-ever pageant experience, and it has been nothing short of life-changing. As she prepares to compete at the national level in August 2025, the mother of two and first-generation college graduate is looking forward to watching her students grow and thrive, both academically and emotionally. She said her job in D11 underscores her commitment to fostering a nurturing and inclusive educational environment.
In an interview with FOX21 News, Fatima said as one of very few African-American teachers in the region, she wants to be a positive role model and represent her community.
“Because a lot of our children come in and they’re dysregulated, and so my job and what I like to do is help them regulate themselves and build confidence. A lot of it is confidence,” she said. “I use it as a confidence piece to them, showing them, ‘hey, this can be done. No matter where you are, no matter what community you live in, [there are] people to look up to.’”
As another way to further her mission of inclusivity and literacy, Fatima hosts literacy hours at local libraries and creates videos for parents about how to help their children read.
She said several mentors at UCCS played a crucial role in her development as a student and as an educator including Henrietta Williams Pichon, Margaret Scott, Leslie Grant Ph.D., Dan DeCelles, Kylie Swanson, and Katie Anderson-Pence.
“Their guidance and encouragement motivated me to keep pushing forward and achieve my goals,” Fatima said.
Her choice to attend UCCS was influenced by the Chancellor’s Award Scholarship, which helped offset her school expenses while traveling to campus from Denver.
“Additionally, I benefited from funding for the Praxis exam and a student educator stipend through the Removing Barriers to Educator Preparation Act,” Fatima said.
During her time at UCCS, Fatima founded Krimson Kourt Inc. (KKI) in 2022. The multicultural community service organization provided her with sisterhood with other first-generation and multi-cultural students.
“These organizations allowed me to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond,” Fatima said.
Her advice to current UCCS students is simple yet profound: “Keep going. The journey is worth it, and the opportunities that await you are limitless. Keep your head held high, and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself.”