Pageants have always held a special place in the heart of Marsha Taylor.  Like most little girls, she would watch the Miss America pageant in awe and wish that she, too, could become a queen.  It wasn't long, however, before her wish came true.  At 8 years old, Marsha became the first Little Miss New York State.  She then went on to compete in the nationals, where she became Little Miss USA.  At age 11 she won the Little Miss Ebony World pageant.  In between pageants, she would partcipate in several local and school talent competitions where she earned the titles of Little Miss Van Courtland Park and Miss I.S. 195, respectively.  The experience of being in pageants was so positive that she often felt she would someday like to give a pageant of her own - to allow other little girls to experience what she was fortunate enough to. 

In the mid-eighties, Marsha began her pageant style coordination with the founding of the Timpson Place Dance Company.  With 22 neighborhood girls, she devoted her time to teaching songs, dance, modeling and skits.  Before long, the dance troupe was performing throughout schools in New York City, in parades and at local events. 

In 1992, Marsha developed The Little Miss Nubian Princess Pageant.  It was a carbon copy of the types of pageants she herself had participated in as a child: dance routines, talent, gowns and beautiful little girls who were all princesses.   The success of that pageant lead to the 1993 Miss Nubian Teen pageant which was held at the world famous Cotton Club.

Hidden Agenda, the company behind each venture, began as a consulting and management service for entertainment industry clients.  Marsha assisted clients working directly on projects for Motown, Elektra Records, Bad Boy Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Virgin Records and Roc-A-Fella Records.   It has since expanded to include media training and event planning.

Although a full schedule is the norm, Marsha has never lost the desire to give back the positive experience she received in pageants to other little girls.  "It's so much more than parading around on stage in a pretty dress.  The pageant reinforced values that I learned at home, while instilling other characteristics which I still carry with me to this day."  Marsha feels strongly that pageants can help young girls with their self esteem and the way that they will carry themselves.  "I was always proud to carry myself as a young lady at all times."  Contestants also learn to how important it is to be gracious whether you win or lose.   Ultimately they learn that competition is a way of life.

So giving the Little Miss New York USA and Miss Teen New York USA pageants are just a natural progression in the long and storied history of Marsha Taylor.  "It's personal...because I see myself in those young girls.  These pageants are going to be awesome!"