Lenaura Blessing Ifeoma Chukwu, a 23-year-old woman of Afro-Mexican origin, was unexpectedly crowned Miss Nayarit 2020. She immediately went viral for being the first Afro-Mexican beauty queen to win the title.

Now she’s representing the state of Nayarit in the Miss Mexico 2020 beauty pageant, becoming the first Afro-Mexican representative to participate in the national beauty contest, as reported in Forbes Mexico.

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MISS NAYARIT Blessing Chukwu WIRIKUTA TRAJES TÍPICOS MISS MÉXICO 2020 ¡Ayúdanos a seleccionar el top 12 de trajes típicos de Miss México 2020! A partir de este momento y hasta el martes 13 de octubre a las 12 de la noche /centro podrás elegir a través de ❤️ El público elegirá 6 y nuestro panel de jueces otros 6, ellos conformarán el top 12 de trajes típicos de Miss México 2020. 1.- En esta categoría, las participantes no son evaluadas. Ellas funcionan como las modelos de los trajes que portan por lo que no acumulan puntos para su calificación total en el concurso. 2.- A las votaciones de instagram se suman las del instagram oficial @MissMexicoOrg, la suma de reacciones en ambas fotos determinarán cuáles son los 6 trajes típicos que avanzan al top 12. El jurado calificador anunciará los otros 6 el miércoles 14 de octubre.

A post shared by Miss México Org (@missmexicoorg) on Oct 11, 2020 at 8:15pm PDT

Chukwu, who is of Nigerian descent, graduated from the Autonomous University of Nayarit where she majored in marketing. She’s a teacher, athlete, Nayarit tourism ambassador, and volunteers in social projects.

“I am very different from the one who entered Miss Nayarit, I have managed to handle those attacks in my favor,” she explains.

In Mexico, more than 1 million people or 1.2% identify as Afro-descent, according to data in 2015; however, they continue to struggle to be recognized.

Blessing said that there is still ignorance about Afro-Mexicans, and since she was a child, she learned to accept and understand the great diversity that exists in the country. She adds that she was discriminated against for her skin color from childhood until her participation in Miss Nayarit.

“I am proud to represent Nayarit now in one of the most important platforms @missmexicoorg. Thank you, queen @ alvidrez.ashley, for your advice, and all for their messages of support,” she said on social media.

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Orgullo representar a Nayarit ahora en una de las plataformas más importantes @missmexicoorg 💙 Gracias queen @alvidrez.ashley por tus consejos, y a todos por sus mensajes de apoyo✨ Maquillaje @hugomakeupalejandro Peinado @leonomar279 Vestido @joseoro.jo37 Accesorios @decorarteaccesorios

A post shared by Blessing Chukwu (@itsblessch) on Sep 24, 2020 at 1:49pm PDT

Miss Mexico 2020 will be held on October 31 in Chihuahua. Whoever wins will go on to represent Mexico in Miss World. In the words of Issa Rae, Travel Noire is rooting for everybody (Blessing Chukwu) Black!

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La expresión más auténtica de un pueblo está en su danza y en su música. -Agnes De Miller • @missnayaritorg @missmexicoorg Muchas gracias al @balletmexcaltitandenayarit por el vestuario y a mis maestros de baile @jenni.zendejas @uliseshernandez , gracias por todo!❤️ 📸: @urihamed

A post shared by Blessing Chukwu (@itsblessch) on Oct 13, 2020 at 4:32pm PDT

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