Asya Branch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Asya Branch
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|---|---|
| Born |
Asya Danielle Branch
May 5, 1998 |
| Alma mater | University of Mississippi (BA) |
| Occupation | Student |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Title |
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| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Major competition(s) |
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Asya Danielle Branch, born on May 5, 1998, is an American who won the title of Miss USA 2020. She also represented the United States at the Miss Universe 2020 competition, where she placed among the top 21 contestants.
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Early Life and Advocacy
Asya Danielle Branch was born in Detroit, Michigan. She is one of eight children.
Asya grew up with a parent who was in prison. This experience inspired her to become an advocate for changes in the justice system. In 2018, when she was Miss Mississippi, she joined a discussion about justice reform at the White House. She also sang the national anthem at an event that same year.
Because her father was in prison when she was 10, Asya wanted to help other children in similar situations. She started an initiative called "Finding Your Way." This program helps children whose parents are in prison.
Education Journey
Before starting kindergarten, Asya's family moved to Booneville, Mississippi. She graduated from Booneville High School.
After high school, Asya moved to Oxford, Mississippi. She attended the University of Mississippi. She earned a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications. Her studies focused on Public relations and General Business. Asya has shared that she hopes to work for a public relations company or a large business.
Pageant Competitions
Asya Branch won her first pageant, Miss Historic Crossroads, in 2016. That same year, she competed in Miss Mississippi and finished in 11th place. In 2017, she competed again as Miss All-America City. She was named fourth alternate in that competition.
Asya then won Miss Mississippi 2018. After this, she competed in Miss America 2019 but did not place.
Winning Miss USA
As Miss Mississippi USA, Asya represented Mississippi at the Miss USA 2020 pageant. She made history by becoming the first person from Mississippi to win Miss USA. She was also the first African-American woman to be crowned Miss Mississippi USA.
The Miss USA 2020 competition was originally planned for spring 2020. However, it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. It finally took place on November 9, 2020, at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Asya competed in the finals and reached the semifinals. She was crowned the winner by the previous Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst.
Miss Universe and Beyond
In May 2021, Asya represented the United States at Miss Universe 2020. The event was held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Florida. Out of 74 contestants, Asya placed in the top 21.
On November 29, 2021, she crowned her successor, Elle Smith of Kentucky. Elle Smith became Miss USA 2021 at the Paradise Cove Theater in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Life After Pageantry
After competing in Miss Universe, Asya Branch continued her work with "Finding Your Way: Empowering Children of Incarcerated Parents." This initiative helps families affected by a parent's incarceration.
Part of her program is called "Love Letters." It aims to improve communication between family members in prison and their children. Asya helps by donating stationery to inmates. This allows them to write letters to their families. She shared a story about an inmate who reconnected with her child through this program. Asya hopes to expand her "Love Letters" initiative across the country. She also continues to speak out against mandatory sentencing laws.
See also
In Spanish: Asya Branch para niños
