Harmony Edosomwan
Harmony Edosomwan’s ascension to the national stage as Miss Black USA 2026 is a powerful testament to intersectional leadership, cultural pride and grassroots entrepreneurship. Crowned at the 39th annual pageant in Washington, D.C., Edosomwan captured the prestigious title alongside the People’s Choice and Heart of Service awards, representing both her adopted home state of Vermont and her rich Nigerian-American heritage.
As an advocate for the Miss Black USA organization, she champions the “Not Just Jasmine” initiative to confront the American Black maternal health crisis. The campaign highlights alarming statistics showing that Black women face a risk of childbirth-related mortality three times higher than their peers.
A Bronx native who relocated to Vermont to attend the University of Vermont (UVM), Edosomwan has long been a fixture of community organizing and advocacy. During her undergraduate years, she emerged as a prominent student activist with NoNames for Justice, challenging institutional barriers and advocating for equity. This commitment to systemic change naturally transitioned into her professional pursuits as an entrepreneur and community builder.
Beyond the pageant spotlight, Edosomwan is widely recognized as a trailblazing culinary artist. She is the founder of Harmony’s Kitchen, Vermont’s premier Afro-fusion soul food catering company and supper club. Launched in 2020, her culinary platform uses food as a bridge to celebrate Black cultural traditions, educate the public and advocate for food security. Her dedication to holistic wellness and nourishment also led her to create Soulfully Fit, a wellness initiative centered on joyful movement and mental health. Furthermore, she is a published author, having penned “Sad Black Girl,” an introspective exploration of mental health, healing and self-love.
As Miss Black USA, the Vermonter uses her platform to champion critical social issues, most notably addressing the Black maternal health crisis through the organization’s “Not Just Jasmine” initiative. During the competition, she honored her roots by wearing a traditional Edo bride-inspired gown adorned with coral beads, powerfully showcasing her Nigerian identity on a national platform.
Winning a prize package that includes a full scholarship for graduate or legal studies Edosomwam plans to continue expanding her impact as an attorney. Whether she is serving nourishing meals, organizing for equity or taking up space unapologetically as a Black woman leader in a predominantly white state, Harmony Edosomwan redefines what it means to lead with authenticity, purpose and joy.
