The First Black Woman to Ever Win the Miss Mississippi USA Pageant in 67 Years

In a historic first, Asya Branch, a 22-year-old native of Booneville, Mississippi, became the first Black woman to win the Miss Mississippi USA title in the pageant’s 67-year history. This significant achievement came after she had already made her mark by winning the Miss Mississippi title in 2018. Branch is now set to represent Mississippi on the national stage at the Miss USA 2020 pageant, an opportunity that underscores her remarkable journey and the impact she aims to make.

A Scholar and Leader
Asya Branch‘s accomplishments extend far beyond the pageant stage. A graduate of the University of Mississippi with a major in Integrated Marketing Communications, Branch’s academic journey is impressive. Her intellectual curiosity led her to Harvard University at the young age of 17, where she enrolled in summer courses in public speaking and psychology and law. This early exposure to diverse perspectives and rigorous academics helped shape her into a well-rounded leader.

Advocacy and Personal Resilience
Branch’s platform as Miss Mississippi USA centers on empowering children of incarcerated parents, a cause deeply personal to her. Her father has been incarcerated for almost half of her life, a reality that brought significant emotional and financial challenges. Instead of allowing these difficulties to define her, Branch used her experiences to fuel her advocacy. She launched the initiative “Finding Your Way: Empowering Children of Incarcerated Parents,” aiming to provide guidance and support to children facing similar hardships.

In her role, Branch has not shied away from the broader implications of her advocacy. She met with President Donald Trump and other officials in 2018 to discuss criminal justice reform, focusing on reintegrating former prisoners into society. Her firsthand experiences lend authenticity and urgency to her efforts, highlighting the need for systemic changes to support affected families.

Breaking Barriers and Inspiring Others
Branch’s historic win comes at a time when Black women are making significant strides in major beauty pageants. For the first time ever, Black women hold the titles of Miss America, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA simultaneously. Branch’s victory adds to this powerful narrative, illustrating the evolving landscape of representation in pageantry.

Reflecting on her achievements, Branch said, “I’m grateful to have been able to make history twice throughout my reign and am excited to be representing the country. You don’t have to look like the person that came before you to accomplish a goal. Anything is attainable.” Her words resonate with many, encouraging young girls and women from diverse backgrounds to pursue their dreams boldly.

Multifaceted Talents and Future Aspirations
Branch’s talents are multifaceted. She is not only a beauty queen and an advocate but also an entrepreneur and a singer. She founded Branch Beauty, a cruelty-free beauty brand launched in 2019, offering products designed to enhance natural beauty. Her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for makeup drove her to create a brand that aligns with her values and vision.

As a singer, Branch has shared music covers on social media, showcasing her vocal talents. She believes in the power of music to inspire and connect people, further illustrating her diverse interests and abilities.

Moving Forward
Asya Branch’s journey is a testament to resilience, intelligence, and dedication. She has turned personal challenges into a platform for change, using her voice to advocate for those who often go unheard. As she prepares to represent Mississippi at the Miss USA pageant and potentially the Miss Universe stage, Branch continues to inspire and break barriers, proving that with determination and passion, anything is possible.

In a historic and inspirational moment, Brianna Mason, a 23-year-old first grade teacher from Nashville, has been crowned Miss Tennessee, becoming the first Black woman to hold the title since the competition’s inception over 80 years ago. Mason’s achievement comes after four attempts, demonstrating her resilience and dedication.

“I can’t even put into words how special that is,” Mason expressed emotionally. “I’ve been competing for so long, and there’s a Miss Tennessee room with portraits of all past Miss Tennessees, and none of them looked like me.”

Mason‘s victory holds profound significance not just for her, but for countless young Black women who see themselves reflected in her achievement. “I’ve made it my goal for the last couple of years to make sure my face gets up there not just for me, but for all of the young ladies who look like me and don’t think they can do it just because of their skin color,” she said. “I’m here to tell you that it does not matter what your skin color is. It does not matter what your religion is. You can do anything that you want.”

Her performance of “Piano Fantasy” in the talent segment was a highlight, showcasing her skills and earning her the crown along with a $15,000 scholarship. Mason will represent Tennessee in the Miss America 2020 pageant, continuing to break barriers and inspire others.

Mason’s victory is part of a broader trend of success for Black women in major American pageants. This year has seen Cheslie Kryst, Kaliegh Garris, and Nia Franklin crowned as Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and Miss America respectively, marking the first time Black women have held these titles simultaneously. Click here to continue reading about Brianna Mason.

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