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| alma_mater = [[University of Mississippi]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| alma_mater = [[University of Mississippi]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| title = {{ubl|[[Miss Mississippi|Miss Mississippi 2018]]|[[Miss Mississippi USA|Miss Mississippi USA 2020]]|[[Miss USA 2020]]}}
| title = {{ubl|[[Miss Mississippi|Miss Mississippi 2018]]|[[Miss Mississippi USA|Miss Mississippi USA 2020]]|[[Miss USA 2020]]}}
| nationalcompetition = {{ubl|[[Miss America 2019]] (unplaced)|Miss USA 2020 (winner)|[[Miss Universe 2020]] (top 21)}}
| nationalcompetition = {{ubl|Miss Mississippi 2018|(Winner)|[[Miss America 2019]]|(Unplaced)|Miss Mississippi USA 2020|(Winner)|[[Miss USA 2020]]|(Winner)|[[Miss Universe 2020]]|(Top 21)}}
| birth_name = Asya Danielle Branch
| birth_name = Asya Danielle Branch
| birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
| birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
| occupation = Student
| occupation = Student
| birth_date = <!-- {{birth date and age|1998|5|5|mf=yes}} -->
| birth_date = <!-- Source required per [[WP:BLPPRIVACY]] -->
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=5}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-11-10|title=Who is Asya Branch? Father, height and age of Miss USA 2020!|url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/11/10/asya-branch-father/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-27|website=HITC|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123194136/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/11/10/asya-branch-father/ |archive-date=2020-11-23 }}</ref>
| height = 5 feet 5 inches<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-11-10|title=Who is Asya Branch? Father, height and age of Miss USA 2020!|url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/11/10/asya-branch-father/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-27|website=HITC|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123194136/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/11/10/asya-branch-father/ |archive-date=2020-11-23 }}</ref>
| eye_color = Brown<ref name="port">{{cite web |title=Asya Branch |url=https://www.nymmg.com/portfolios/asya-branch/digitals |website=MMG |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref>
| eye_color = Brown<ref name="port">{{cite web |title=Asya Branch |url=https://www.nymmg.com/portfolios/asya-branch/digitals |website=MMG |access-date=13 November 2023 |archive-date=14 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114035702/https://www.nymmg.com/portfolios/asya-branch/digitals |url-status=live }}</ref>
| hair_color = Brown<ref name="port"/>
| hair_color = Brown<ref name="port"/>
| years_active = 2018–present
| years_active = 2018–present
}}
}}


'''Asya Danielle Branch''' is an American beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned [[Miss USA 2020]] and represented her country at [[Miss Universe 2020]] where she was placed in the top 21.
'''Asya Danielle Branch''' is an American beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned [[Miss USA 2020]] and represented her country at [[Miss Universe 2020]] where she reached in the top 21.


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Asya Danielle Branch was born on May 5, 1998,<ref>{{Cite web |last=BranchMay 5 |first=Quick facts for kids Asya Branch Born Asya Danielle |last2=1998Detroit |last3=Michigan |last4=Student |first4=U. S. Alma mater University of MississippiOccupation |last5=World 2022 |first5=beauty pageant titleholder Years active 2018-present Height 5 ft 5 inTitle Miss Mississippi 2018 Miss Mississippi USA 2020 Miss USA 2020 Miss World America 2022 Beauty pageant titleholder Hair color Brown Eye color Brown Major competitionMiss America 2019Miss USA 2020Miss Universe 2020Miss World America 2022Miss |title=Asya Branch Facts for Kids |url=https://kids.kiddle.co/Asya_Branch |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=kids.kiddle.co |language=en-us}}</ref> in [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mississippi's Asya Branch Is the New Miss USA|url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/mississippis-asya-branch-miss-usa-132006295.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-27|website=Yahoo|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111130517/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/mississippis-asya-branch-miss-usa-132006295.html |archive-date=2020-11-11 }}</ref> to African American parents and is the sixth child of eight siblings.
Asya Danielle Branch was born in [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mississippi's Asya Branch Is the New Miss USA|url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/mississippis-asya-branch-miss-usa-132006295.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-27|website=Yahoo|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111130517/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/mississippis-asya-branch-miss-usa-132006295.html |archive-date=2020-11-11 }}</ref> to African American parents and is the sixth child of eight siblings.


Branch grew up as the child of an incarcerated parent, and now advocates for [[prison reform]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-10 |title=Miss USA 2020: 5 Things to Know About Miss Mississippi Asya Branch |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1206685/miss-usa-2020-5-things-to-know-about-miss-mississippi-asya-branch |access-date=2022-11-27 |website=E! Online}}</ref> In 2018, while she was [[Miss Mississippi]], she was part of a criminal justice reform roundtable at the White House with [[Donald Trump]] and [[Jared Kushner]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Konstantinides |first=Anneta |title=New Miss USA Asya Branch said she was contractually obligated to sing at a Trump rally while she was Miss Mississippi |url=https://www.insider.com/miss-usa-asya-branch-sang-2018-trump-rally-under-contract-2020-11 |access-date=2022-11-27 |website=Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> She also performed the national anthem at a rally for Donald Trump that same year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-10 |title=Miss USA Asya Branch: 'You Don't Have to Look Like the Person That Came Before You to Accomplish a Goal' |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/asya-branch-is-the-new-miss-usa |access-date=2022-11-27 |website=Glamour |language=en-US}}</ref>
Branch grew up as the child of an incarcerated parent, and now advocates for [[prison reform]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-10 |title=Miss USA 2020: 5 Things to Know About Miss Mississippi Asya Branch |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1206685/miss-usa-2020-5-things-to-know-about-miss-mississippi-asya-branch |access-date=2022-11-27 |website=E! Online |archive-date=2022-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127175648/https://www.eonline.com/news/1206685/miss-usa-2020-5-things-to-know-about-miss-mississippi-asya-branch |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, while she was [[Miss Mississippi]], she was part of a criminal justice reform roundtable at the White House with [[Donald Trump]] and [[Jared Kushner]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Konstantinides |first=Anneta |title=New Miss USA Asya Branch said she was contractually obligated to sing at a Trump rally while she was Miss Mississippi |url=https://www.insider.com/miss-usa-asya-branch-sang-2018-trump-rally-under-contract-2020-11 |access-date=2022-11-27 |website=Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216100254/https://www.insider.com/miss-usa-asya-branch-sang-2018-trump-rally-under-contract-2020-11 |url-status=live }}</ref> She also sang the national anthem at a rally for Donald Trump that same year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-10 |title=Miss USA Asya Branch: 'You Don't Have to Look Like the Person That Came Before You to Accomplish a Goal' |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/asya-branch-is-the-new-miss-usa |access-date=2022-11-27 |website=Glamour |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126161356/https://www.glamour.com/story/asya-branch-is-the-new-miss-usa |url-status=live}}</ref>


Drawing inspiration from her personal experiences, particularly the incarceration of her father, a devout man, when she was just 10 years old, she utilized her title to advocate for the children facing similar situations. Motivated by the absence of her father during a significant part of her formative years, she established the Finding Your Way initiative, aimed at empowering children with incarcerated parents<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leveridge |first=Brett |date=2019-03-06 |title=Asya Branch's Mission to Inspire Children of Incarcerated Parents |url=https://guideposts.org/inspiring-stories/people-helping-people/asya-branchs-mission-to-inspire-children-of-incarcerated-parents/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=Guideposts |language=en-US}}</ref>.
Drawing inspiration from her personal experiences, particularly the incarceration of her father, a devout man, when she was just 10 years old, she utilized her title to advocate for the children facing similar situations. Motivated by the absence of her father during a significant part of her formative years, she established the Finding Your Way initiative, aimed at empowering children with incarcerated parents.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leveridge |first=Brett |date=2019-03-06 |title=Asya Branch's Mission to Inspire Children of Incarcerated Parents |url=https://guideposts.org/inspiring-stories/people-helping-people/asya-branchs-mission-to-inspire-children-of-incarcerated-parents/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=Guideposts |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114193914/https://guideposts.org/inspiring-stories/people-helping-people/asya-branchs-mission-to-inspire-children-of-incarcerated-parents/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


== Education ==
== Education ==
Branch’s title to Miss USA actually began in Michigan not Missisippi but her family moved to Booneville the summer before she started kindergarten<ref>{{Cite web |title=CROWN JEWEL Asya Branch |url=https://lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.comhttps//lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.com/article/CROWN+JEWEL+Asya+Branch/4196036/735072/article.html |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.comhttps |language=en-US}}</ref>. After graduating from Booneville High School, Branch moved to [[Oxford, Mississippi]], to attend the [[University of Mississippi]]. She graduated from the School of Journalism and New Media with a degree in [[Integrated Marketing Communications]] with an emphasis in [[Public relations]] and a minor in General Business.<ref>{{Cite web |title=School of Journalism and New Media {{!}} Asya Branch |url=https://jnm.olemiss.edu/tag/asya-branch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130041032/https://jnm.olemiss.edu/tag/asya-branch/ |archive-date=2020-11-30 |access-date=2021-03-05 |website=jnm.olemiss.edu}}</ref> According to her pageant bio, she said she hopes to work for a public relations firm or major corporation<ref>{{Cite web |last=Box 1848 |first=The University of Mississippi P. O. |last2=University |last3=Usa915-7211 |first3=Ms 38677 |title=Asya Branch Archives |url=https://jnm.olemiss.edu/tag/asya-branch/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=School of Journalism and New Media |language=en-US}}</ref>.
Branch’s family moved to Booneville the summer before she started kindergarten.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CROWN JEWEL Asya Branch |url=https://lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.comhttps//lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.com/article/CROWN+JEWEL+Asya+Branch/4196036/735072/article.html |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.comhttps |language=en-US}}</ref> After graduating from Booneville High School, Branch moved to [[Oxford, Mississippi]], to attend the [[University of Mississippi]]. She graduated from the School of Journalism and New Media with a degree in [[Integrated Marketing Communications]] with an emphasis in [[Public relations]] and a minor in General Business.<ref>{{Cite web |title=School of Journalism and New Media {{!}} Asya Branch |url=https://jnm.olemiss.edu/tag/asya-branch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130041032/https://jnm.olemiss.edu/tag/asya-branch/ |archive-date=2020-11-30 |access-date=2021-03-05 |website=jnm.olemiss.edu}}</ref> She has said she that she hopes to work for a public relations firm or major corporation.<ref>{{cite web |title=IMC student Asya Branch crowned Miss USA {{!}} Journalism & New Media {{!}} Ole Miss |url=https://jnm.olemiss.edu/2020/11/09/university-of-mississippi-school-of-journalism-and-new-media-imc-student-asya-branch-crowned-miss-usa/ |website=School of Journalism and New Media |access-date=15 November 2023 |date=10 November 2020 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115091840/https://jnm.olemiss.edu/2020/11/09/university-of-mississippi-school-of-journalism-and-new-media-imc-student-asya-branch-crowned-miss-usa/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Pageantry==
==Pageantry==
Branch began her [[Beauty pageant|pageant]] career being crowned her first title, Miss Historic Crossroads, in 2016<ref>{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Sarah |date=2018-07-05 |title=Ole Miss student Asya Branch begins preparation for Miss America competition |url=https://thedmonline.com/ole-miss-student-asya-branch-begins-preparation-for-miss-america-competition/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=The Daily Mississippian |language=en-US}}</ref>. That same year, she competed in [[Miss Mississippi|Miss Mississippi 2016]] placing 11th overall<ref>{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Sarah |date=2018-07-05 |title=Ole Miss student Asya Branch begins preparation for Miss America competition |url=https://thedmonline.com/ole-miss-student-asya-branch-begins-preparation-for-miss-america-competition/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=The Daily Mississippian |language=en-US}}</ref>. The following year (2017), she competed in Miss Mississippi as Miss All-America City<ref>{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Sarah |date=2018-07-05 |title=Ole Miss student Asya Branch begins preparation for Miss America competition |url=https://thedmonline.com/ole-miss-student-asya-branch-begins-preparation-for-miss-america-competition/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=The Daily Mississippian |language=en-US}}</ref> where she was named fourth alternate<ref>{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Sarah |date=2018-07-05 |title=Ole Miss student Asya Branch begins preparation for Miss America competition |url=https://thedmonline.com/ole-miss-student-asya-branch-begins-preparation-for-miss-america-competition/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=The Daily Mississippian |language=en-US}}</ref>.
Branch won her first pageant, Miss Historic Crossroads, in 2016.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Sarah |date=2018-07-05 |title=Ole Miss student Asya Branch begins preparation for Miss America competition |url=https://thedmonline.com/ole-miss-student-asya-branch-begins-preparation-for-miss-america-competition/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=The Daily Mississippian |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114152123/https://thedmonline.com/ole-miss-student-asya-branch-begins-preparation-for-miss-america-competition/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That same year, she competed in Miss Mississippi reaching 11th place.<ref name="auto2"/> In 2017, she competed in Miss Mississippi as Miss All-America City,<ref name="auto2"/> where she was named fourth alternate.<ref name="auto2"/> Branch went on to win Miss Mississippi 2018, and then to [[Miss America 2019]] where she was unplaced.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Miss Tupelo Crowned Miss Mississippi 2018 |url=https://www.wtva.com/templates/AMP?contentID=486377101 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115222914/https://www.wtva.com/templates/AMP?contentID=486377101 |archive-date=15 November 2020 |access-date=10 November 2020 |newspaper=wtva.com}}</ref>


As [[Miss Mississippi USA]], Branch represented Mississippi at [[Miss USA 2020]], becoming the first Mississippi representative to win Miss USA,<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |last=Rowe |first=Keisha |title=Mississippi's Asya Branch could make history again with win at Miss Universe competition |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2021/05/13/miss-usa-asya-branch-compete-miss-universe-pageant-how-to-watch/5021793001/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=The Clarion-Ledger |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216100254/https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2021/05/13/miss-usa-asya-branch-compete-miss-universe-pageant-how-to-watch/5021793001/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as the first [[African Americans in Mississippi|African-American]] woman to be crowned Miss Mississippi USA.<ref name="auto1"/> Originally scheduled for the spring of 2020, the Miss USA 2020 competition was postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]], and later held on November 9, 2020, at [[Graceland]] in [[Memphis, Tennessee]]. She competed in finals and reached the semifinals in the state for the first time since 2010, where she was crowned winner by outgoing titleholder [[Cheslie Kryst]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://meaww.com/miss-usa-2020-winner-asya-branch-from-mississipi-how-she-overcame-childhood-struggles-black|title=Miss USA 2020 Winner: Who's Asya Branch from Mississippi? Here's how she overcame tough childhood to win pageants|website=meaww.com|access-date=10 November 2020|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116084652/https://meaww.com/miss-usa-2020-winner-asya-branch-from-mississipi-how-she-overcame-childhood-struggles-black|url-status=live}}</ref>
Branch was crowned [[Miss Mississippi|Miss Mississippi 2018]] and went on to compete in [[Miss America 2019]] where she was unplaced.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Miss Tupelo Crowned Miss Mississippi 2018 |url=https://www.wtva.com/templates/AMP?contentID=486377101 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115222914/https://www.wtva.com/templates/AMP?contentID=486377101 |archive-date=15 November 2020 |access-date=10 November 2020 |newspaper=wtva.com}}</ref> During [[Miss America 2019]], she placed second-runner up in the Quality of Life awards at the pageant.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asya Branch Biography {{!}} Booking Info for Speaking Engagements |url=https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Asya+Branch/444225 |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=www.allamericanspeakers.com}}</ref>


As [[Miss Mississippi USA]], Branch represented Mississippi at [[Miss USA 2020]], becoming the first Mississippi representative to win Miss USA<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |last=Rowe |first=Keisha |title=Mississippi's Asya Branch could make history again with win at Miss Universe competition |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2021/05/13/miss-usa-asya-branch-compete-miss-universe-pageant-how-to-watch/5021793001/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=The Clarion-Ledger |language=en-US}}</ref>, as well as the first [[African Americans in Mississippi|African-American]] woman to be crowned Miss Mississippi USA<ref name="auto1"/>. Originally scheduled for the spring of 2020, the Miss USA 2020 competition was postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]], and later held on November 9, 2020, at [[Graceland]] in [[Memphis, Tennessee]]. She competed in finals and reached the semifinals in the state for the first time since 2010, where she was crowned winner by outgoing titleholder [[Cheslie Kryst]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://meaww.com/miss-usa-2020-winner-asya-branch-from-mississipi-how-she-overcame-childhood-struggles-black|title=Miss USA 2020 Winner: Who's Asya Branch from Mississippi? Here's how she overcame tough childhood to win pageants|website=meaww.com|access-date=10 November 2020|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116084652/https://meaww.com/miss-usa-2020-winner-asya-branch-from-mississipi-how-she-overcame-childhood-struggles-black|url-status=live}}</ref>
In May 2021, Branch represented the United States at [[Miss Universe 2020]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-10 |title=Miss Mississippi Asya Branch Crowned Miss USA 2020 |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1206620/miss-mississippi-asya-branch-crowned-miss-usa-2020 |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=E! Online |archive-date=2020-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116022907/https://www.eonline.com/news/1206620/miss-mississippi-asya-branch-crowned-miss-usa-2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> at the [[Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood]] in Florida. Out of 74 competitors, Branch was placed in the top 21.<ref>{{Citation |title=Miss Universe 2020 - Top 21 (HD) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNgwL6c-Mqw |access-date=2023-11-14 |language=en |archive-date=2023-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114035704/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNgwL6c-Mqw |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 29, 2021, she crowned her successor [[Elle Smith]] of [[Kentucky]] as [[Miss USA 2021]] at the Paradise Cove Theater of the River Spirit Casino Resort in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colurso |first=Mary |date=2021-11-30 |title=Miss USA 2021: Miss Kentucky USA takes the crown |url=https://www.al.com/life/2021/11/miss-usa-2021-miss-kentucky-usa-takes-the-crown.html |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=al |language=en |archive-date=2023-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114035701/https://www.al.com/life/2021/11/miss-usa-2021-miss-kentucky-usa-takes-the-crown.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2021, Branch represented United States at [[Miss Universe 2020]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-10 |title=Miss Mississippi Asya Branch Crowned Miss USA 2020 |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1206620/miss-mississippi-asya-branch-crowned-miss-usa-2020 |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=E! Online}}</ref>, held in the [[Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood|Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino]] in [[Hollywood, Florida]]. Out of 74 representatives, Branch was placed in the top 21<ref>{{Citation |title=Miss Universe 2020 - Top 21 (HD) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNgwL6c-Mqw |access-date=2023-11-14 |language=en}}</ref>.

On November 29, 2021, she ended her reign and crowned her successor [[Elle Smith]] of [[Kentucky]] as [[Miss USA 2021]] at the Paradise Cove Theater of River Spirit Casino Resort in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=mcolurso@al.com |first=Mary Colurso {{!}} |date=2021-11-30 |title=Miss USA 2021: Miss Kentucky USA takes the crown |url=https://www.al.com/life/2021/11/miss-usa-2021-miss-kentucky-usa-takes-the-crown.html |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=al |language=en}}</ref>


== Life after pageantry ==
== Life after pageantry ==
After competing in Miss universe, Branch launched an initiative called “Finding Your Way: Empowering Children of Incarcerated Parents”,<ref>{{Cite web |last=West |first=Megan |date=2018-09-07 |title=Miss Mississippi's experience drives her to help children with a parent in prison |url=https://www.wapt.com/article/miss-mississippis-experience-drives-her-to-help-children-with-a-parent-in-prison/23030697 |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=WAPT |language=en}}</ref> which aims to help families of incarcerated individuals.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-13 |title=Miss USA Asya Branch wants to use her crown to fight for prison reform - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/miss-usa-asya-branch-prison-criminal-justice-reform/ |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Part of this was "Love letters",<ref name=":0" /> which aims to increase communications between incarcerated family members and their children by donating stationery to inmates so they can communicate with their family <ref name=":0" />. Branch said the program enabled an inmate to reconnect with her estranged son and that these stories show the success of the program<ref name=":0" />. She hopes to bring her "Love letters" initiative nationwide and continus advocating for the dissolution of [[mandatory sentencing]].<ref name=":0" />
After competing in Miss Universe, Branch launched an initiative called “Finding Your Way: Empowering Children of Incarcerated Parents”,<ref>{{Cite web |last=West |first=Megan |date=2018-09-07 |title=Miss Mississippi's experience drives her to help children with a parent in prison |url=https://www.wapt.com/article/miss-mississippis-experience-drives-her-to-help-children-with-a-parent-in-prison/23030697 |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=WAPT |language=en |archive-date=2023-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110020354/https://www.wapt.com/article/miss-mississippis-experience-drives-her-to-help-children-with-a-parent-in-prison/23030697 |url-status=live }}</ref> which aims to help families of incarcerated individuals.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-13 |title=Miss USA Asya Branch wants to use her crown to fight for prison reform - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/miss-usa-asya-branch-prison-criminal-justice-reform/ |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110020356/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/miss-usa-asya-branch-prison-criminal-justice-reform/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Part of this was "Love letters",<ref name=":0" /> which aims to increase communications between incarcerated family members and their children by donating stationery to inmates so they can communicate with their family.<ref name=":0" /> Branch said the program enabled an inmate to reconnect with her estranged son and that these stories show the success of the program.<ref name=":0" /> She hopes to bring her "Love letters" initiative nationwide and continus advocating for the dissolution of [[mandatory sentencing]].<ref name=":0" />

== See also ==

* [[Cheslie Kryst|Chelsie Kryst]]
* [[Elle Smith]]
* [[Morgan Romano]]
* [[R'Bonney Gabriel]]


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 02:04, 12 September 2024

Asya Branch
Born
Asya Danielle Branch

Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Mississippi (BA)
OccupationStudent
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)[2]
Beauty pageant titleholder
Title
Years active2018–present
Hair colorBrown[1]
Eye colorBrown[1]
Major
competition(s)

Asya Danielle Branch is an American beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss USA 2020 and represented her country at Miss Universe 2020 where she reached in the top 21.

Early life

[edit]

Asya Danielle Branch was born in Detroit, Michigan,[3] to African American parents and is the sixth child of eight siblings.

Branch grew up as the child of an incarcerated parent, and now advocates for prison reform.[4] In 2018, while she was Miss Mississippi, she was part of a criminal justice reform roundtable at the White House with Donald Trump and Jared Kushner.[5] She also sang the national anthem at a rally for Donald Trump that same year.[6]

Drawing inspiration from her personal experiences, particularly the incarceration of her father, a devout man, when she was just 10 years old, she utilized her title to advocate for the children facing similar situations. Motivated by the absence of her father during a significant part of her formative years, she established the Finding Your Way initiative, aimed at empowering children with incarcerated parents.[7]

Education

[edit]

Branch’s family moved to Booneville the summer before she started kindergarten.[8] After graduating from Booneville High School, Branch moved to Oxford, Mississippi, to attend the University of Mississippi. She graduated from the School of Journalism and New Media with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications with an emphasis in Public relations and a minor in General Business.[9] She has said she that she hopes to work for a public relations firm or major corporation.[10]

Pageantry

[edit]

Branch won her first pageant, Miss Historic Crossroads, in 2016.[11] That same year, she competed in Miss Mississippi reaching 11th place.[11] In 2017, she competed in Miss Mississippi as Miss All-America City,[11] where she was named fourth alternate.[11] Branch went on to win Miss Mississippi 2018, and then to Miss America 2019 where she was unplaced.[12]

As Miss Mississippi USA, Branch represented Mississippi at Miss USA 2020, becoming the first Mississippi representative to win Miss USA,[13] as well as the first African-American woman to be crowned Miss Mississippi USA.[13] Originally scheduled for the spring of 2020, the Miss USA 2020 competition was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, and later held on November 9, 2020, at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. She competed in finals and reached the semifinals in the state for the first time since 2010, where she was crowned winner by outgoing titleholder Cheslie Kryst.[14]

In May 2021, Branch represented the United States at Miss Universe 2020,[15] at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Florida. Out of 74 competitors, Branch was placed in the top 21.[16] On November 29, 2021, she crowned her successor Elle Smith of Kentucky as Miss USA 2021 at the Paradise Cove Theater of the River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[17]

Life after pageantry

[edit]

After competing in Miss Universe, Branch launched an initiative called “Finding Your Way: Empowering Children of Incarcerated Parents”,[18] which aims to help families of incarcerated individuals.[19] Part of this was "Love letters",[19] which aims to increase communications between incarcerated family members and their children by donating stationery to inmates so they can communicate with their family.[19] Branch said the program enabled an inmate to reconnect with her estranged son and that these stories show the success of the program.[19] She hopes to bring her "Love letters" initiative nationwide and continus advocating for the dissolution of mandatory sentencing.[19]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Asya Branch". MMG. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Who is Asya Branch? Father, height and age of Miss USA 2020!". HITC. 2020-11-10. Archived from the original on 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
  3. ^ "Mississippi's Asya Branch Is the New Miss USA". Yahoo. Archived from the original on 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
  4. ^ "Miss USA 2020: 5 Things to Know About Miss Mississippi Asya Branch". E! Online. 2020-11-10. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  5. ^ Konstantinides, Anneta. "New Miss USA Asya Branch said she was contractually obligated to sing at a Trump rally while she was Miss Mississippi". Insider. Archived from the original on 2023-12-16. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  6. ^ "Miss USA Asya Branch: 'You Don't Have to Look Like the Person That Came Before You to Accomplish a Goal'". Glamour. 2020-11-10. Archived from the original on 2022-11-26. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  7. ^ Leveridge, Brett (2019-03-06). "Asya Branch's Mission to Inspire Children of Incarcerated Parents". Guideposts. Archived from the original on 2023-11-14. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  8. ^ "CROWN JEWEL Asya Branch". lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.comhttps. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  9. ^ "School of Journalism and New Media | Asya Branch". jnm.olemiss.edu. Archived from the original on 2020-11-30. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  10. ^ "IMC student Asya Branch crowned Miss USA | Journalism & New Media | Ole Miss". School of Journalism and New Media. 10 November 2020. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d Henderson, Sarah (2018-07-05). "Ole Miss student Asya Branch begins preparation for Miss America competition". The Daily Mississippian. Archived from the original on 2023-11-14. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  12. ^ "Miss Tupelo Crowned Miss Mississippi 2018". wtva.com. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  13. ^ a b Rowe, Keisha. "Mississippi's Asya Branch could make history again with win at Miss Universe competition". The Clarion-Ledger. Archived from the original on 2023-12-16. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  14. ^ "Miss USA 2020 Winner: Who's Asya Branch from Mississippi? Here's how she overcame tough childhood to win pageants". meaww.com. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  15. ^ "Miss Mississippi Asya Branch Crowned Miss USA 2020". E! Online. 2020-11-10. Archived from the original on 2020-11-16. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  16. ^ Miss Universe 2020 - Top 21 (HD), archived from the original on 2023-11-14, retrieved 2023-11-14
  17. ^ Colurso, Mary (2021-11-30). "Miss USA 2021: Miss Kentucky USA takes the crown". al. Archived from the original on 2023-11-14. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  18. ^ West, Megan (2018-09-07). "Miss Mississippi's experience drives her to help children with a parent in prison". WAPT. Archived from the original on 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  19. ^ a b c d e "Miss USA Asya Branch wants to use her crown to fight for prison reform - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2020-11-13. Archived from the original on 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2023-11-10.


Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Anne Elizabeth Buys
 Miss Mississippi
2018 		Succeeded by
Mary Margaret Hyer
Preceded by
Madeleine Overby
 Miss Mississippi USA
2020 		Succeeded by
Bailey Anderson
Preceded by
Cheslie Kryst, North Carolina
 Miss USA
2020 		Succeeded by
Elle Smith, Kentucky
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