Nia Imani Franklin of New York, by way of North Carolina, was crowned Miss America 2019. Nia graduated from the North Carolina School of Arts with a Masters degree. She was awarded a fellows position with the Lincoln Center of performing Arts that same year. Her move to New York also allow her to compete in the New York pageant and win as Miss Five Burroughs of 2018. She went on to win the Miss American pageant representing 2019 representing New York. Her eventful reign included many national appearances, magazine covers and charitable activities. She appeared through out the year with Miss U.S.A, Miss Teen U.S.A and Ms. Universe, all of which were or are either Black or mix-race American or African.

Contribution by Ms. C. Buford