Junanita Ingram, HBCU alum, crowned Mrs. Universe

Attorney, author, actress, and award-winning TV producer Juanita Ingram, Esq. was recently crowned Mrs. Universe (R) 2022 on August 24 in Miami, Florida, by the Ms. World Corporation (“MWI”). Over 75 contestants represented countries around the world. Ingram is the first Black Woman to be crowned the title. A Tennessee native , Ingram lives in Singapore with her husband and two children. Ingram is the creator, star, and Executive Producer of the family-friendly docuseries The Expats International Ingrams, currently streaming on Amazon Prime and Roku. 

“I am honored to win this title and grateful to my husband, children, family, friends, and pageant coach Kyle Ean Haggerty for believing in me and supporting me. Pageantry with purpose is powerful. Currently, I am working on a new special series titled ‘Beyond Beauty’ that will be released in late November, showcasing the Ms/Mrs pageant genre as well as the confidence-building and positive aspects of pageantry.” 

Ingram has a prolific pageantry legacy as she is also the first African-American woman to compete and win the title of Mrs. Indiana United States in 2007, Ms. World International 2012, Mrs. UK Universe 2013, Mrs. Great Britain World 2011, and Mrs. UK International 2014 (placing Top 3 at Nationals). MadameNoir selected her as one of the Top 7 Black Women in Pageantry to turn Beauty into Business, along with Halle Berry, Oprah Winfrey, and Vanessa Williams. 

As the newly crowned Mrs. Universe (R) 2022, Juanita will spend her year promoting Dress for Success, a global charity in 144 cities and 23 countries that empowers women to become economically independent by providing free interview attire, training, and ongoing support. Ingram is the Founder and current Board Chair/President of two Dress for Success affiliates in London and Chattanooga, TN (her hometown). 

About Juanita Ingram: 

Having previously lived in London and Taiwan, Juanita Ingram is CEO/Founder of Purpose Productions Inc, an international award-winning 501(c)3 women-led production company with a mission of creating content that celebrates authentic BIPOC narratives while empowering women and youth through film. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Tennessee State University as well as a MBA and Jurist Doctorate from the University of Memphis. This Fall, Ingram will receive her certification in Film & Television Business from NYU Film School, and is a US licensed attorney and a former adjunct professor of Business Law. Among her many other honors, awards, and titles, Ingram was also the Ruby Hurley Ambassador 2021 NAACP Image Award recipient for her work in film and international women’s empowerment. 

About Ms World Corporation (MWI): 

The Ms. World Corp. is in its 15th year of producing the Mrs/ Ms. Universe and Mrs/Ms. World International national and international competitions for women to showcase their individual achievements. The Mrs/Ms. Universe and Mrs/Ms. World International pageants have been held in countries across the globe, promoting tourism, philanthropy, and personal growth. The goals of the Mrs/Ms. Universe and Ms/Mrs. World International Pageant and filming event are to inspire women from every country, continent, and culture to come together, in the spirit of competition, to share their passions and promote their platforms on an international stage.