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Born in Syracuse, New York, Claudia Helene Anthony was reared in Baton Rouge with three siblings. Since adolescence, she has been active as a church choir member, talent show competitor, cheerleader, violinist, YMCA volunteer and a motivator.Claudia is a McKinley Sr. High School class of 1997 alumni who went on to Southern University on a Track & Field Scholarship. In 2001 she received her Theatre Arts B.A. She has won consecutive High School State Titles, at the USATFA (United States Athletic Track and Field Association) 1996 Summer Jr. Olympics she was ranked 3rd in the nation, in college received three SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) Championship Indoor and Outdoor rings, and two National Runner-up Intramural Flag Football titles.After college she toured with Playmakers Children's Theater; became a substitute teacher for K-12, and taught in a YMCA mentoring program. In 2001 she was crowned Miss Y.M.C.A Louisiana, and shifted her focus to New York. Claudia moved to NYC on September 10 th , the day before of the attacks on the twin towers. Although New York had changed, she persevered and performed in many Off-Broadway Shows; modeled and wrote. She worked in the box office at The Historic Riverside Theatre; and became a personal trainer at the New York Sports Club. Family members convinced her to try the sweet city of Atlanta, Georgia. When she arrived, she worked box office and performed at The Horizon Theater in Little Five Points of Atlanta. In August of 2006 she danced and sang, in the SOLD OUT hit Musical DREAMGIRLS.This Happy-Go-Lucky girl took her talents to newer heights after she was crowned Black Georgia 2005-2006 she took to the stage at nationals and was seen in millions of homes as she made another mark in Black History this time becoming a part of a the Miss Black U.S.A. legacy. She didn't capture the U.S.A. title and in 2006 she passed off her state crown but didn't stop the giving there!CurrentlyClaudia in her free time is a community advocate volunteering with her organization Youth In Power, creating positive outreach programs for children since 1992.She produces, and performs, SEE OUR INVENTIONS EVERYWHERE a musical for Young Audiences. This play is about Black inventors which she also wrote, in order to bring more culturally diverse plays into the community and into Georgia schools; a portion of the profits go towards more educational programming in Georgia Homeless Shelters. She is now working on a tour! She has an online fan store of the souvenirs from the show! www.cafepress.com/youthinpowerShe created in 2005 GEORGIA KNIGHTS a self esteem program that gives first year college book scholarships to well deserving young men within the special education systems in Decalb County High Schools.She has a quarterly newsletter "Just Girly News" that is mailed to the hearts of young girls all over the world. Inspiring and connecting girls with powerful influential womenFor the past year she has been working on her latest addition to her children's book collection with audio "JUST LIKE A KID"! With these books she's promoting literacy at home that all children will find educational and entertaining.Aroung christmas 07 she joined the Black Dolls of Atlanta which inspired her to create another project promoting Self esteem amoung Black Women "THE BLACK DOLL DRIVE". Giving Black Dolls to young girls in her home town letting them know they are just as important!Claudia also finds time to mentor Miss Black U.S.A. delegates preparing for competition just as Claudia did in D.C. in 2005. She's also a consultant working on a tour for Lecold Threats her sister a gospel artist from Louisiana. And for the third year sits on the volunteer board for CeeCee Michaelas "Holywood" Retreat which promotes Purity and Abstinence among boys, girls, men and women all over the world. She is still an active Girl Scout who believes in the golden ruleHer favorite verse is: "Trust in the lord, with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding; acknowledge him in all your ways and he shall direct your path"She's on the web at www.claudiaanthony.com[LOVEMYFLASH][/LOVEMYFLASH]