Newsfeed
Founded by the Arab American Organization, the annual Miss Arab USA pageant was launched as a platform to empower young women of Arab descent, celebrate Arabian heritage and culture, and unite the Arab diaspora in the United States and beyond.
Over the weekend, the 2024 edition of the contest took place in Arizona, crowning Iraqi-American Zenovia Jafar as the reigning title holder. At 28 years old, Zenovia moved to the US with her family as a toddler and later flourished into a luxury fashion and lifestyle content creator.
In an interview with Arab News, Zenovia says she is proud of how she has been able to stay so close to her cultural roots. “… I never let go of who I was and where my family came from. And I think that’s something that is so important when you grow up away from home, is to stay connected to who you are. Because at the end of the day, all you have is your roots.”
Here is everything we know about Zenovia Jafar.
She is a first-generation American
After spending two years in Syria, Zenovia moved with her family to the US to escape the war in Iraq in the 90s. She currently resides in Michigan and is one of nine siblings.
SHE IS COLLEGE EDUCATED
According to her biography on the Miss Arab website, Zenovia attended Michigan State University where she excelled academically. It is here that she discovered her passion for content creation.
SHE’S A CREATIVE AT HEART
More than just a social media content creator, Zenovia is a self-taught photographer and previously specialised in engagements and senior photography to support herself throughout university. She is also a self-taught makeup artist, is a lover of poetry, and has tried her hand at multiple crafts.
SHE’S PASSIONATE ABOUT PHILANTHROPY
Through her newfound platform, Zenovia is eager to uplift underdeveloped communities and raise funds for different charities. She seeks to amplify the voices of people who do not have a voice.
SHE CHAMPIONS EMPOWERMENT FOR ARAB WOMEN
Speaking to Arab News, Zenovia says she encourages Arab women to always venture out of their comfort zone. She advises young Arab women to push their limits in order to grow, and consistently try to do better.
