Miss Mississippi Asya Branch Crowned Miss USA 2020
Asya Branch, Miss Mississippi, is the latest Black woman to win Miss USA. Branch, 22, was crowned on Monday (Nov. 9) in the competition that aired live from Memphis, Tennessee.
She was crowned by her predecessor, another African-American woman, Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst.
Branch also made history when she was crowned the first Black Miss Mississippi USA in 2018.
According to People, the competition was originally set for the spring but got postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Being Miss USA has afforded me the opportunity to be an advocate for issues that deserve attention, including criminal justice reform and racial inequality." said Asya Branch in an official statement. “I am proud to continue the legacy of national titleholders who speak up and encourage change, and I look forward to supporting the next Miss USA and Miss Teen USA in doing the same.”
Branch will now move to New York City to represent the Miss USA brand and several philanthropic organizations, People reports.
Watch Miss Mississippi win the coveted 2020 Miss USA title below: