My name is Ansima Rosette Mamboleo. You can call me Rosette. I am 26 years old, a law student, professional coach, mental health first aid instructor and community organizer. I was born in Congo; I grew up in South Africa and now I reside in Chicago. I come from a very close-nit family, and I am a 3rd born from a family of 6 children.    I grew up with Christian values and have loved serving my church and community from a very young age. As a Christian, I believe that my biggest purpose in life is to lead a life of service. There are 3 things that inspire me to serve the way I do   1.    Realizing that other beautiful young girls go through what I did. Or when I saw a young person start to change their identity just to fit in and please others. 2.    I desired to pour back into others just like other strangers poured into my life when I had youth camps and bible studies. Those programs always had a way to brighten my week and encourage me, I wanted to be a reason why someone experienced light even if every other part of their life didn’t. 3.    I have always admired civil right leaders that I read about in textbooks or through documentaries. Their selflessness always thrilled me and excited me. I have always looked up to them, I have always desired to leave such a substantial legacy, like they did. There have been many lessons I have learnt from them, the greatest is that these people became heroes because of adversity. They rose up in times of opposition, not when it suited them or when all was peaceful-otherwise, there’d be no need for them. So, I looked at the challenges around me, and decided to rise up and look for solution that would allow us to solve them.   My service platform is called Elpida, which when translated from Greek to English means hope. I have learnt from my past experiences and challenges that even the littlest ray of hope can get anyone through the darkest tunnel as they walk towards the light. With those experiences came the realization that people are most hopeless when they feel inadequate in any capacity or sphere of life. The solution to that in my opinion was by looking for ways in which to serve and bring about radical change through BEETH. The acronym stands for Build, Educate, Empower, Train and Heal.   Build- Strong family structures in which children can grow and bloom in. Build safe communities. Build bridges between the poor and the rich. Build sustainable programs that bring about the eradication of poverty, violence, discrimination and positive development and growth of the community and its people. Build trust between community members and their representatives and local organization. Build mechanisms in which to hold public servers accountable as they serve.   Educate- Provide opportunity for people to have access to quality education. Educate people on social, economic, and environmental issues facing us today and coming up with ways in which those issues can be tackled. Educate people on their rights and the resources available to them. Educate women intellectually, emotionally, financially and mentally.   Empower- Empower people; especially the youth to be active participants and contributors in the well being, the development and positive change of their community and country. To empower women to take up space and be contributors to their country’s economy. Empower women to be at the forefront of crucial conversations and be strong, intellectual leaders. Empower people to feel adequate and to realize that change starts with us, but that change doesn’t come by working alone. To empower people to make vital relationships with people/organizations that will partner behind the plan for change.   Train- Train future leaders to make sure that they have skills that enable them to lead accordingly. Train people on how vital policies are drafted, how to organize actions/protests for change.   Heal- To provide a platform where people are able to heal from injustices of the past. A platform where people can heal from the traumas they have experienced due to their disabilities, discriminations, abuse, violence, or due to broken and unkept communities. To have healthy people as leaders, teachers, friends, parents, trainers (any other occupation) we need to have people who have been able to walk down the road of the past, confronted that which hurt them, forgive whatever and whoever needs forgiveness and find a path to healing and walking forward into the light.   I am excited to be part of Miss Africa USA class of 2023. I look forward to forging lasting relationships, growth and most of all having fun while at it!   To find out more or follow my journey please go towww.instagram.com/a_rosette_mamboleo Subscribe to our YouTube channelhttps://youtube.com/@safariwithelpida3027

My name is Lois Nnenna Owunna, I was born and raised in Nigeria, I am 33 years old ,I reside in new haven Connecticut, I have a bachelors degree in law from Nigeria and transitioning in getting my law license in Connecticut, I love reading , dancing and creating content . I work with Amazon 

I was born and raised in beautiful and peaceful Zambia, a country known for its kind people, lush landscapes, and natural resources. I draw my inspiration from my Mother & Father who dedicate their lives and careers to community development and care. My father is a global public health specialist for the world bank and my mother is an entrepreneur, women’s rights lawyer and creative. I currently work as a digital marketing project manager for Goldiata Creative LLC. My career focus is mainly centered around marketing development, client service management and brand ambassadorship. I also am a Model and Digital Artist.   When I began my career I was in a shrunken and solitary world of pain and my mental health was compromised. I was living with PTSD, and trauma associated depression and anxiety; during my first year of college I was sexually assaulted. I didn’t report the repeated incidents to the authorities, and I didn’t share my experience with my family. The fear I felt was paralyzing and the guilt and shame I felt were heavy and oppressive. I had been conditioned to believe that the attacks on my body were somehow my fault. Culture and society conditioned me to believe that my assault happened because I acted in a way that made my attacker think “I wanted it”. I’m like millions of survivors who will never experience or receive justice because rape is the most under-reported crime. As a proud African Woman I believe it is my place to share, and take ownership of, my not so uncommon story. Rape is a systemic and endemic social problem that affects victims, and their loved ones, who usually suffer in silence for fear of shame, or continued abuse.  To take ownership of healing and experience, I began working with non profit organizations that focus on youth development, community empowerment and women’s rights.  Deeply conscious of the privilege my mother and father’s struggles have gifted me, I stand as a strong advocate for socioeconomic empowerment for women and children, particularly their constitutional right to education, careers, and freedom of choice.  I believe a stronger Africa starts with a strong sense of self. I believe that our growth and evolution as a global community begins with mental, emotional, and spiritual strength. This strength is cultivated and exercised in vulnerable and open experiences with others. My intent is to create programs and support systems that center the continuity of individual and collective progress. To create a better world we must empower individual and collective development. I’m grateful to represent the Miss Zambia USA platform which is built on a foundation of identity, culture and community. It’s pillars are upheld with creativity, entrepreneurship and health & wellness. As Miss Africa USA I intend to use this incredible platform to amplify mental health wellness and community development interests by creating programs and infrastructural support for women and children of African descent.