Deshauna Barber facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Deshauna Barber
|
|
|---|---|
Barber as Miss USA 2016
|
|
| Born | December 6, 1989 Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
|
| Alma mater | Virginia State University (BS) University of Maryland University College (MS) Norwich University |
| Occupation |
|
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Title | Miss District of Columbia USA 2016 Miss USA 2016 |
| Spouse(s) |
Marvin Echols III
(m. 2023) |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Major competition(s) |
Miss USA 2016 (Winner) Miss Universe 2016 (Top 9) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Reserve |
| Years of service | Since 2011 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 988th Quartermaster Detachment |
Deshauna Barber (born December 6, 1989) is an American motivational speaker and a captain in the United States Army Reserve. She is also known for winning beauty pageants. On June 5, 2016, she was crowned Miss USA 2016. She then represented the United States at the Miss Universe 2016 pageant, where she placed in the Top 9.
Contents
Deshauna Barber's Early Life and Education
Deshauna Barber was born on December 6, 1989, in Columbus, Georgia. Her parents, Darren and Cordelia Barber, were both military veterans. Because her father served in the Green Berets for 20 years, her family moved often. They lived in places like North Carolina, Nebraska, Minnesota, Virginia, and Washington, D.C..
Deshauna joined the United States Army Reserve when she was 17. She studied business management at Virginia State University. After graduating, she became an officer in the Army Reserve in 2011. She worked as a logistics commander, helping to manage supplies. She also worked as an IT analyst for the United States Department of Commerce. Later, she earned her master's degree from University of Maryland University College. In May 2022, she received an honorary Doctor of Leadership degree from Norwich University.
Becoming Miss USA
Deshauna Barber first won the title of Miss District of Columbia USA 2016. This happened on December 19, 2015. Before this, she had competed in other pageants. She was a semi-finalist in Miss Virginia USA 2010 and Miss District of Columbia USA 2015. She also held the Miss Virginia International 2011 title.
On June 5, 2016, Barber competed in the Miss USA 2016 pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada. She won the competition, becoming Miss USA. She was the third person from the District of Columbia to win this title. She was also the first African American to win Miss USA since 2008. Deshauna Barber was also the first person serving in the military to win the Miss USA title. She said she wanted to use her platform to support veterans.
Miss Universe Competition
After winning Miss USA, Deshauna represented the United States at Miss Universe 2016. This competition took place in Manila. She made it into the Top 9 finalists. During the national costume part of the competition, she wore a superhero-inspired outfit. It had a metallic silver design, a helmet, and a shield with an eagle. This costume was meant to represent women's empowerment.
Life After Miss USA
After her year as Miss USA, Deshauna crowned Kára McCullough as her successor. Kára McCullough was also from the District of Columbia. The crowning happened at the Miss USA 2017 competition on May 14, 2017.
As of 2020, Deshauna Barber is the CEO of the Service Women's Action Network (SWAN). This group works to support women soldiers and veterans. She also teaches at Howard University. Deshauna is a popular motivational speaker. She talks about important topics like bullying, and dealing with loss. She has given speeches at places like Google and Georgetown University.
Personal Life
Deshauna Barber started dating Marvin Echols III in October 2020. They got engaged in December 2022. The couple then got married in December 2023.
See also
In Spanish: Deshauna Barber para niños
