✨Introducing Our Newest Crown Jewel: Little Miss Juneteenth Virginia ✨

For the first time in Virginia history, we are proud to open the royal gates to a new generation of brilliance with the launch of Little Miss Juneteenth Virginia—a powerful new division under the #DefyTheOdds Program. Designed especially for our youngest dreamers ages 7–10, this inaugural addition invites girls to explore identity, culture, and confidence in a safe, inspiring, and affirming space.

More than just a title, Little Miss Juneteenth Virginia represents the beginning of a lifelong journey into purpose and pride. Through workshops, confidence-building activities, cultural storytelling, and a dazzling pageant showcase, our Little Miss participants are nurtured not only as future queens—but as legacy carriers. And this year’s crowned winner will make history as the first-ever to hold the title in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Parents, if you've been searching for a place where your daughter’s voice, heritage, and light are celebrated—look no further. This is where self-worth is crowned, sisterhood is built, and legacy begins.

APPLY HERE

Hey Queens!

Welcome to the Miss Juneteenth Virginia Legacy Pageant™

– a celebration of resilience, diversity, and infinite magic.

Welcome to a journey through history and heritage with the #DefyTheOdds Mentorship Program and its Miss Juneteenth Virginia Legacy Pageant. At the forefront of our nation's narrative is Juneteenth, a day that announced the end of slavery for Texas and has since evolved into a nationwide symbol of freedom and reflection. Central to the story of Emancipation is Virginia, a state with profound historical significance in this transformative era.

Virginia's role in the path to freedom is undeniable. It was here, in 1619, that the first documented enslaved Africans arrived on American shores aboard the White Lion, a British pirate ship posing as Dutch. This momentous event in Virginia laid the groundwork for what would become a nationwide struggle for emancipation. The state's influence continued throughout the Civil War, especially at Old Point Comfort (now Fort Monroe) in Hampton, where significant strides toward emancipation were made.

In the present day, the Miss Juneteenth Virginia Legacy Program, in partnership with the Miss Juneteenth USA national pageant program, is more than a pageant; it's a beacon of mentorship and empowerment. We take pride in educating urban youth about our collective story – the "Story of Us." Our program celebrates and amplifies the strengths, talents, and accomplishments within the African American community. We are committed to educating, elevating, and empowering the youth of Black America. Our goal is to inspire them to unleash their potential and contribute to a future that is rich in shared success and prosperity.

2025-2026

MEET MISS & JR. MISS JUNETEENTH

Virginia

Miss Juneteenth Virginia 2025–2026

Kima Anderson | Advocate for Empowerment Through Inclusivity and Personal Growth

Representing Smithfield High School and the proud community of Carrollton, Virginia, Kima Anderson is a dynamic blend of artistry, athleticism, and leadership. With passions ranging from praise dance and painting to basketball and violin, Kima uses her platform to amplify inclusivity and personal growth. Her commitment to building a world where every young person feels seen, valued, and empowered drives her reign. With purpose and poise, she inspires others to walk boldly in their truth and embrace the legacy they’re destined to carry.

Jr. Miss Juneteenth Virginia 2025–2026

Constiana Johnson | Aspiring Dance Educator & Health Advocate

A proud 8th grader from Hornsby Middle School in Williamsburg, Virginia, Constiana Johnson lights up every room with grace, passion, and purpose. Previously crowned as Williamsburg’s very first Little Miss Juneteenth, she now reigns as Jr. Miss Juneteenth Virginia with a powerful platform dedicated to epilepsy awareness—an issue close to her heart. With dreams of becoming a dance teacher, Constiana blends movement and mission to uplift others while breaking stigma and championing youth with similar experiences. She is truly a rising voice for change, compassion, and cultural pride.

Meet Virginia's Inaugural Queen

The Crown Jewel of the Commonwealth

Queen Ambassador | Youth Organizer | Cultural Torchbearer

Sunshine R. Huggins made history as the very first Miss Juneteenth Virginia Queen, blazing a path for future generations to rise in pride, purpose, and power. Now a rising sophomore at Norfolk State University, she is pursuing a degree in Music Therapy, blending her deep love for music with a calling to heal, uplift, and inspire. Known for her elegant harp performances, Sunshine continues to move hearts while also capturing the eyes of the world—having earned more than $50,000 in scholarships and secured multiple modeling contracts since her reign. Her life is a melody of grace and grit, honoring her ancestors with every step forward.

Beyond the spotlight, Sunshine serves as the official Queen Ambassador and Youth Organizer for the National Juneteenth Heirs of Excellence Foundation, where she mentors the next generation of queens to lead with excellence and reign with responsibility. Her vibrant energy and unwavering commitment to truth-telling, cultural preservation, and mental wellness have made her a beloved figure in the movement. As she continues to shine on and off stage, Sunshine stands as a living testimony to what it means to turn legacy into action—and to make the ancestors sing with joy.

"Decisions We Make Today Dictate How We Will Live Tomorrow."

At the Miss Juneteenth Virginia Legacy Program, we firmly believe in the power of choice and its lasting impact on our futures. By joining our program, young girls are not just participating in an event; they are stepping into a world of opportunity, education, and empowerment. Every session, workshop, and mentorship moment is a building block for a brighter, more confident tomorrow.

Join us in this journey of growth and empowerment, where every decision is a step towards a promising future.

START NOW

#DEFYTHEODDS

Learn More About The Program Behind The Crown

Step into a world of empowerment with the #DefyTheOdds Mentorship Program, a pivotal element of the Miss Juneteenth Virginia experience. Kicking off with 'Juneteenth 101: The Story of Us', this initiative is more than just a workshop series – it's a transformative journey. Designed to equip participants with invaluable tools to prepare them to overcome any challenges that they may face in their futures. Through a blend of historical wisdom and modern skills, the program fosters resilience, confidence, and a deep sense of purpose. Each participant emerges not only more knowledgeable about their culture but also empowered to chart their own paths of success and #Defy ANY Odds that they may endure.

Learn More

$200

TOTAL DONATIONS RAISED

25K+

SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT

350

MENTORSHIP

HOURS

15

WORKSHOPS

9K+

306

TOTAL WEBSITE VISITORS

COUNTDOWN TO THE JUNETEENTH CROWN

"Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own. Be proud of your story, your struggles, and your triumphs. Tell it with your head held high."

- Michelle Obama

Cultivating Confidence and Community: Celebrating Black Excellence through Education & Mentorship

In the heart of our mission at the Miss Juneteenth Virginia Legacy Program lies a commitment to nurturing self-identity and bolstering self-confidence. Our educational initiatives go beyond academics, delving into the rich tapestry of Black history and culture, thus fostering a deep sense of cultural awareness and pride.

Participating in our program is more than an achievement—it's an affirmation of every participant's unique strengths and potential. Here, we celebrate each girl's journey towards self-realization and confidence, all while honoring the legacy of Juneteenth, and the vibrant historical value from Virginia that authors the "Story of Us."

"Crowning Legacy: Where Royalty Meets Radiance"

This moment doesn’t just crown a Queen—it affirms a mission. In a state that holds the complex legacy of being both the birthplace of American slavery and emancipation, the Miss Juneteenth Virginia experience becomes more than a pageant—it becomes a path to healing, heritage, and hope. Through Phase I of our #DefyTheOdds Program, we pour into our girls intentionally, offering them cultural education, mentorship, confidence training, and emotional wellness tools to help them stand boldly in a world that often tries to dim their light. By the time they reach Phase II—the pageant stage—they don’t just show up polished… they show up prepared. Prepared to lead. Prepared to serve. Prepared to reign with legacy in mind and purpose in hand.

The throne "WE" occupy is not a seat of perfection—it’s a seat of possibility. It holds the weight of culture, the beauty of resilience, and the unshakable truth that Black girls are born to lead, shine, and transform. In this space, the crown becomes more than a symbol. It becomes a promise: that our history will not be forgotten, that our excellence will not be silenced, and that our legacy will not be denied.