Harmony Edosomwan (left) with megaphone at George Floyd rally in front of Burlington Police Department, 2026 (Photo credit Kate Vanni, Vermont Cynic); in Miss Black USA competition, wearing traditional Edo (Nigerian) gown.

By VDC staff

Harmony Edosomwan has come a long way in six years.

She has gone from being a UVM student pouring red liquid at the feet of Burlington Police leaders at a George Floyd protest, to owning a Winooski food business.

And now she is Miss Black USA 2026.

The national contest announced Edosomwan was the top woman in its competition over the weekend. As this year’s winner, Edosomwan is promoting Miss Black USA’s “Not Just Jasmine” initiative, which draws attention to the disproportionately high rate of childbirth-related deaths among Black women. She also highlighted her Edo heritage during the pageant’s evening gown competition, wearing a red dress with traditional coral beads inspired by Nigerian bridal attire. Edosomwan said she is proud to represent Vermont, where Black residents make up a low percentage of the population but maintain an active and strong community.

She owns Harmony’s Kitchen, a catering and pop-up soul food experience in Winooski.

Edosomwan first came into public view in Vermont during a tense protest outside the Burlington Police Station in August 2020 following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Four police officers were charged in that case.

With several hundred people standing by, Edosomwan stood in the back of a truck and with a loudspeaker challenged Burlington Police to do better about misconduct by local officers.

“I would like to proceed with having a moment of silence for George Floyd, and for every other black and brown person fallen on the hands of white supremacy and racist pigs,” she said, according to a report in the Vermont Cynic, the UVM student newspaper. 

New Interim Police Chief Jennifer Morrison and Deputy Chief Jon Murad came outside and spoke with Edosomwan and others. 

Edosomwan asked about some Burlington Police officers accused of excessive force. She eventually poured red liquid from a gallon container at the feet of the police administrators.

“Their blood is on your hands,” Edosomwan reportedly said, according to Seven Days.

Morrison and Murad remained calm and offered to speak later about the concerns.

WPTZ-TV news reporter Tom Gerris indicated that at least one window was broken, and some graffiti was spotted at the police station.

The national contest said Edosomwan is planning to use her platform to highlight her Nigerian heritage, represent the Black community in Vermont and advocate for Black maternal health.