NEW BERLIN, Wis. — A Racine native became the first Black woman to win Miss Wisconsin. 

Willow Newell, 22, won the state competition Saturday evening, among a field of 29 contestants representing their communities across the state. 

Competing as Miss Racine, Newell receives $13,000 in scholarships along with other gifts and awards.

For the talent phase of the competition, Newell sang “And I’m Telling You” from the musical Dreamgirls. Her community service initiative is Expression Without Inclusion which aims to provide an inclusive and accessible opportunity for arts through community connections, resources, and storytelling.

Newell has been a competitor in the Miss America Opportunity since 2017 when she competed as a teen. 

She is set to compete for the title of Miss America 2026 in the first week of September in Orlando. 

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