Miss Minnesota USA: The Day Muna Ali Made History, Again.

@MunaAli

On June 23, 2024, Muna Ali stood under the bright stage lights at the Ames Center in Burnsville, Minnesota, and heard her name called as the new Miss Minnesota USA. For Ali, it wasn’t just a win—it was a moment years in the making, the culmination of persistence, vision, and, let’s be honest, some serious hustle.

She wasn’t just crowned; she made history. Ali became the first Somali-American woman to win the title, a milestone that speaks not just to her personal journey but to the shifting landscape of pageantry itself. “I always dreamed of this,” she said after her win, her excitement still radiating through her words. “I wanted to be the first, but I also wanted to prove that our stories, our presence, belong on this stage.”

Ali, 27, isn’t your typical beauty queen—not that there’s anything typical about Miss USA contenders to begin with. She’s a first-generation college graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Med. She’s an entrepreneur, having built two home healthcare companies from the ground up. And as if that weren’t enough, she’s deeply involved in activism, serving as the founder and board member of a peace and social justice organization while also supporting Educare Haiti, a nonprofit dedicated to providing education and community development for children in need.

So yes, Ali is busy. But that’s kind of her thing. It’s not surprising, then, that her road to the crown wasn’t a straight shot. She first competed in Miss Minnesota USA in 2017, landing a spot as a semifinalist. Then came years of climbing the ranks—second runner-up in 2021, third runner-up in 2022, first runner-up in 2020—until, finally, she took home the title this year. “Every time I competed, I learned something new about myself,” she says. “I learned how to push through, how to refine my voice. And honestly? I wouldn’t change a thing about the journey.”

But Ali’s ambitions don’t stop at pageantry. She’s a traveler—17 countries and counting. She’s a health and wellness advocate, making mindful living a priority in her daily life. And she’s not slowing down anytime soon. Next up? Representing Minnesota at Miss USA 2024 in Hollywood, California.

Win or lose on the national stage, one thing is clear: Muna Ali is here to stay. She’s not just breaking barriers—she’s making sure the door stays open for whoever comes next.