Wisconsin Makes History: Willow Newell Crowned First Black Miss Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a new queen — and she’s making history. She’s Black, she’s brilliant, and her name is Willow Newell.

The 22-year-old Racine native has officially become the first Black woman ever crowned Miss Wisconsin, marking a powerful and long-overdue milestone in the pageant’s 89-year history. Her win not only celebrates beauty and talent but also represents progress and inclusivity in a space that has historically lacked diversity (CBS News).

Representing her hometown as Miss Racine, Newell captured the crown during Saturday night’s statewide competition, held in Oshkosh. Outshining 29 contestants, she took home the title along with $13,000 in scholarships, recognizing her excellence in poise, intellect, and artistry (NBC News).

For the talent portion, Newell delivered a show-stopping performance of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls, channeling both emotional depth and vocal strength. The audience erupted in applause as her voice filled the auditorium — a moment that sealed her victory and echoed the spirit of determination expressed in the song’s lyrics.

According to News 3 Now, Newell has been involved with the Miss America Opportunity since 2017, beginning as a teen contestant. Over the years, she has grown from a local participant into a confident young woman who uses her platform to inspire others. Her community service initiative focuses on empowering young girls of color to embrace their identities and pursue leadership opportunities, something she says is deeply personal and purpose-driven (USA Today).

Now, Newell is preparing to represent Wisconsin on the national stage at the Miss America 2026 competition, set to take place in Orlando this September. She will bring not only her beauty and talent but also her story — one of perseverance, pride, and progress.

As she told local reporters after her win, “This crown isn’t just mine — it belongs to every little Black girl who dreams big in Wisconsin.”

Her historic victory serves as both an inspiration and a reminder that the landscape of pageantry — like America itself — continues to evolve, making space for more voices, faces, and dreams than ever before.