While photographing the Sweet Charity fashion show I ran into a local celebrity, Kate Michael, otherwise known as K Street Kate.  Since her reign as Miss District of Columbia 2006, Kate’s been running an online magazine focused on the advent of DC culture, philanthropy, and style.  Then in early 2009, she took it to the next level by producing the The District Dish, a lifestyle talk show that’s the TV version of her blog.  I left Kate a voicemail Monday night to wrap up the interview but after visiting her Twitter, I realized she was at the Miss Black USA pageant.  (Note to self: check interviewee tweets more often).  I’m very grateful to Kate for her time and glad I was able to use these photographs of her.

As a former Miss District of Columbia, how is life different after your tenure compared to before?  Were there any radical changes (lifestyle, perspective, social life) or did things pretty much return to normal?  I’m curious about this because Jen Corey, who was Co Co Sala’s model for Sweet Charity this year and Miss DC 2009, recently passed on her title to Miss DC 2010 and I’m wondering what she’s going through.

It’s definitely hard to give up the crown!  There are so many new and wonderful experiences during a year as Miss District of Columbia. It’s hard to imagine what life will be like post pageant.

What I do day to day is very similar to what I did during my year of service.  Having started my online magazine in 2006, the year I was Miss District of Columbia, I have mirrored my professional career after my reign, having a lot of fun while showcasing all of the fabulosity this city has to offer.

Do you have any interesting insight or stories from your participation in Sweet Charity over the past few years?

My platform for Miss America [Kate competed in 2007]  - and my philanthropic interest both before and continuing after the pageant – have been related to literacy of all types – including financial literacy. I have been honored to wear the Sweet Charity “mascot” dress for the last few years and continue to promote awareness of this most basic and important issue [Sweet Charity is a yearly fundraiser in DC that provides books to boost the inventories of local libraries and classrooms that need the most help].

But every year, the costume changes a bit. I have to say, I’m glad the cake hat is getting lighter – at one time, it weighed in at over 15 pounds!

What would you change about your Wikipedia page?

It’s funny to see which tidbits of life fans pick up on. I might like to include a bit more about aspects of life other than pageantry, as I’ve done some pretty awesome things so far – like my former life as a ballerina.

Photo Credits: Joshua Yospyn/Worn Magazine (please ask permission to use our images)