North Carolina A&T State University graduates and former student-athletes Arlene and Darlene Mitchell (Class of 2007) appeared in Jet Magazine as the publication’s Jet “Beauties of the Week.”

Arlene and Darlene, who are identical twins from Henderson, N.C., have a unique story outside of being featured in Jet. The two women still live with one another, but they coach at rival schools. Arlene is the assistant volleyball coach at N.C. A&T, while Darlene is an assistant volleyball coach at N.C. Central.

Both women played volleyball for the Aggies from 2003-06, and both are considered two of the best players to ever play at A&T. Arlene still owns seven school records, including the most kills in a single set, match and career. She is also the only player in school history to record 1,000 career kills and digs. Darlene ranks among the top five in many of the same statistical categories. They led A&T to the MEAC championship match in 2005.

“Jet Magazine is a phenomenal magazine for people of color! It not only shows who we are as black people, but also how far we've come,” said Arlene. “I have always looked at the Jet Beauty of the Week for as long as I can remember. To me, it shows black women can be successful, influential and beautiful all at the same time. The women are usually the black community’s future leaders or brightest students. Why wouldn't I want to be a part of something so empowering?

Jet has marketed its weekly toward African Americans for more than 60 years. It’s “Beauty of the Week” feature has been in existence almost as long. Each week an African American female, photographed in a one-or-two piece swimsuit, appears midway through the publication. The feature includes her name, profession, hobbies and a personal statement. Women from a wide range of occupations, HBCU students and or aspiring models have been among the magazine’s beauties.

A&T head bowling coach, James Williams, is a freelance photographer for Jet. He was the photographer on the photo shoot.