Central Jamaica has a new queen. On Sunday night, 21‑year‑old Clarendon native Akedia Morgan emerged victorious at the Miss Universe Jamaica Central competition, held at the Golf View Hotel. Her triumph over 11 other contenders delivers her straight into the national Miss Universe Jamaica finals later this year.
Morgan, who balances studies in human‑resource management at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean with a job at Sutherland Global Services, impressed the adjudicators with poise, authenticity, and a sharp answer to the judges’ final question. “In that instant, the room fell quiet and I felt absolute certainty,” she recalled, describing the moment she sensed the crown was hers.
Podium Placements
Leanna Spencer and Tasharrie McLean claimed the first and second runner‑up positions, while Daveia Mullings and Brianna Hanson completed the Top 5. Yet it was Morgan’s composure and community‑focused vision that set her apart throughout the weeks‑long regional programme.
A Brother’s Nudge, A Bigger Mission
Morgan credits her older brother for encouraging her to enter. “He saw the pageant as a platform bigger than fashion or beauty,” she said. “I quickly realised he was right—it’s a microphone for social change.”
That conviction shapes her forthcoming initiative, Boys to Men, aimed at strengthening mental‑wellness resources for boys in under‑served communities across Clarendon and Manchester. The concept is deeply personal; she lost her father before she could fully support him through lifelong struggles. “If I can give even one young boy tools my father never had, I’ll consider this crown worthwhile,” she noted.
The Road to the Crown
The weeks leading up to the regional final were demanding. Morgan routinely travelled late‑night routes between May Pen and Mandeville for rehearsals, once dashing to Kingston at dawn to make a live‑television segment after oversleeping. “Every obstacle felt like proof that perseverance was non‑negotiable,” she said.
Pageant manager Trilissa Walker confirmed Morgan’s resilience was evident from day one. “She combined discipline with genuine warmth—a rare blend that resonates on stage,” Walker observed.
What’s Next
Armed with her regional title, Morgan now prepares for the national Miss Universe Jamaica competition. Between runway training and public‑speaking workshops, she will start laying groundwork for Boys to Men, partnering with primary schools to host emotional‑health workshops and mentorship circles.
“My objective is crystal‑clear,” she said. “Win or lose at nationals, central Jamaica’s young men will feel this ripple.”
As she steps onto the larger stage, Morgan carries not just a sash, but a mission that could redefine how the next generation of Jamaican boys talks about mental health—and, ultimately, how the country nurtures its future men.
