Raquel Riley Thomas

About

Entrepreneur, military veteran, beauty queen, and media producer. She is widely recognized as a highly decorated former U.S. Army Captain who successfully transitioned into the fashion, pageantry, and entertainment industries. Within the pageantry space, she has won multiple crowns, including the historic title of First Runner-Up for Mrs. America. She leverages her executive expertise as the CEO of a global media company and her own signature performance cosmetic line.

Before fame

Her extensive professional career timeline officially kicked off in 1990 when she enlisted in the United States Army. After leaving active military service as an officer in 2002, she launched her first formal commercial photography business in 2000, which acted as her gateway into the modeling and entertainment industry. Her transition into pageantry and media entertainment production was officially solidified around 2010 when she took home the crown as Mrs. Maryland America.

Trivia

An incredibly accomplished martial artist, She achieved a major personal milestone by earning her 1st-degree black belt in Taekwondo right on her 53rd birthday. During her early years as a photographer, she made history by becoming the very first African-American woman to shoot swimsuit centerfolds for Jet magazine, a tenure that lasted for nine consecutive years. Her dedication to public service and military history led to her being formally inducted into the permanent collections of the U.S. Library of Congress. Her unique cosmetics line was explicitly formulated around a time-saving concept she patented called "3GL," which streamlines glamour looks for lids, lashes, and lips.

Family life

As of 2006, She has been married to her husband, an attorney and West Point graduate named Ron Thomas. Together, they manage a modern family consisting of four daughters, a dog, and a cat.

Associated with

She has been publicly recognized and praised by Wes Moore.