Beneath the sparkling tiara and shimmering evening gown, the reigning Miss Black USA, Shayna Rudd, is a woman who has overcome extreme hardships and wants to help others do the same.

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“I just want young ladies not to run away from the greatness that they have,” said Shayna Rudd. “It gets better; it does. We’re all worth seeing the end of the story.”

That message is the foundation of Miss Rudd’s new book, “Lady Lessons: The LadyDiva Guide to Embracing the Truth About You, Volume 1.” The project is the first in a series designed to encourage inner-city women to overcome negative situations.

A 10-book series is planned. The second volume is scheduled to be released around Mother’s Day, and the third later in the year.

The series is just one of the latest projects of the Lady Diva Corp., an organization founded by Miss Rudd in 2005 that provides mentoring, group discussion opportunities and seminars to help inner-city women rise above unfortunate circumstances. It has chapters in Philadelphia and the District of Columbia.

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