Flashback: Vanessa Williams was crowned the first black Miss America 30 years ago today

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Thirty years ago today, Vanessa Williams was crowned Miss America, making her the first African-American to win the title.

The singer/actress was still attending Syracuse University when she won the title of Miss New York.

Following her 1983 win of the Miss America crown, Williams faced a racist backlash, including hate mail from viewers and pageant fans who were unhappy with a black woman taking on the coveted role.

Similar to Williams, the most recent Miss America winner, Nina Davuluri, has received derogatory comments via social media due to her Indian-American heritage.

She is scheduled to meet Williams this week in New York City. Davuluri, who is also a former Miss New York, will be attending a performance of The Trip To Bountiful, the Broadway play in which Williams is performing.

Towards the end of her reign as Miss America, Williams found herself in the midst of a scandal during the summer of 1984. Nude photos of the then 21-year-old, which had not been authorized for publication, were printed in Penthouse magazine. Williams was forced to resign from her post as Miss America.

Williams then went on to a successful recording career as a singer, as well as successful performances on Broadway, television and film.

Click through the slideshow above to see Williams as a young woman in the Miss America pageant.

Follow Carrie Healey on Twitter @CarrieHeals.