Youth advocate and beauty queen Tia Browne has brought home a clutch of accolades and a renewed vision for Caribbean unity, after dazzling at the Miss Caribbean Universe pageant in Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
Her achievements, including the coveted Miss Congeniality and Best Cultural Wear titles, have set the stage for a bold new regional initiative and a chance to represent Barbados on the global stage.
Placing as second runner-up overall in the regional competition, she was also declared Most Punctual, Most Cooperative, and Most Photogenic.
Browne reflected on the experience with Barbados TODAY.
“It was a pageant to bring together the ladies of the Caribbean to share their information on their platforms and global change,” she said. “It was a good experience. The pageant afforded the opportunities for us to speak on our platforms as well as sharing any topics that were happening within our islands at the time.”
Throughout the week-long event which ended on Sunday, delegates bonded over shared concerns such as crime, youth development, climate change, and cultural preservation.
She said: “It was a good experience to meet everyone. We all had similar ideas and we were able to speak to each other about the varying factors [and] challenging our countries, and we were all able to walk away there as friends and as colleagues and network together. The main challenge that I brought up was the issue with the youth. You know, in Barbados right now we’re in a climate where there’s a lot of violence amongst the youth and it is hindering our society and the development of our society, and I believe that it is a lack between the link of our cultural links with our youth and our elders.”
The experience also helped Browne expand her vision. After engaging with people in St Thomas and connecting with fellow contestants, she said she became more aware of the importance of regional unity.
She said: “[In] speaking with the St Thomians after the pageant, they wanted to know more about me, and that allowed me to broaden my horizons to not only target the age demographic of the youth, but of the entire Caribbean and the region. So now I’m focused on regional connectivity.”
Browne also spoke fondly of the relationships she forged, particularly with Miss Trinidad, Tineka Francois, who advocates for sustainable fashion: “She’s so passionate and articulate about her platform. It was inspiring.”
Fresh from the competition, Browne is already laying the groundwork for a new regional initiative.
She said: “Actually, last night when I was laying in bed and thinking over everything that I did during the week, I settled upon an initiative to start called Life and Purpose and I wanted it to be an initiative that inspires Caribbean people to live intentionally, collectively, and sustainably. I’m looking to partner with anyone who is passionate about the field – so government, non-government organisations and just individuals who are willing to help with the cause.”
Her impressive performance also secured her a spot to represent Barbados at the upcoming Miss Global International pageant, featuring contestants from South America, Europe, and Africa.
“I am very excited for the pageant because it would give me more of an opportunity to speak on the platform and share Barbados to the world,” she said.
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