The 2026 Miss Black International Ambassador (MBIA) pageant has wrapped up its competition, crowning four new global ambassadors from three distinct regions — and making history by awarding two of the four top titles to contestants from Belize. The annual competition, which celebrates Black women across different life stages, divides titles into four categories to recognize participants of varying ages and backgrounds.
The full roster of 2026 crowned ambassadors includes 14-year-old D’Ancy N Ramclam of Belize, who took home the Teen Black International Ambassador title; Khloe Thompson of Ghana, named Miss Black International Ambassador 2026; Maryam Abdul-Quawiyy of Belize, who secured the Ms Black International Ambassador crown; and Kristy Wells, a grandmother from Texas, United States, who won the Mrs Black International Ambassador 2026 title. The newly crowned queens made their first public joint appearance on the morning talk show *Open Your Eyes*, where they opened up about their experiences at the pageant, their core platforms, and the community-focused work they plan to advance over their one-year term.
For Abdul-Quawiyy, stepping onto the international stage carried far more weight than personal competition. The newly crowned Ms ambassador emphasized that she carried the hopes and pride of her entire home country with her during the event. “I know I wasn’t only representing myself; I was representing Belize, I was representing ‘all ah we,’” she shared during the appearance. “So I was like, ‘Belize has to look good,’ so I made sure I did my absolute best.” She added that all four titleholders will work collaboratively throughout the year to expand community leadership programs across regions.
Wells, the 2026 Mrs Black International Ambassador, brought a trailblazing message for women over 40, as the pageant’s married category opens participation to women who are wives and mothers, and Wells makes history as a crowned titleholder who is also a grandmother. “It’s been an amazing experience,” Wells said. “You should never let age keep you from achieving your goals. I am over 40, and I am proud of it. So, I want to represent women over 40 and let them know that the sky is the limit and you can do whatever you want to. Age doesn’t matter.”
The second Belizean titleholder, 14-year-old Ramclam, is redefining what it means to be a pageant queen. A self-described “sportsy” teen who does not fit the mold of a traditional pageant contestant, Ramclam is using her new platform to encourage young Belizean women to step into new opportunities with self-assurance. “One of my dreams as well was showing the young women of Belize that opportunities can go so far, and you have to have confidence, and I am glad I was able to show them that you can have confidence and you can do what you want,” she explained. Beyond her advocacy, Ramclam also plans to grow the small food and frozen beverages business she co-runs with her mother in Lord’s Bank Village.
Completing the 2026 cohort is Thompson, the newly named Miss Black International Ambassador, who brings years of grassroots community leadership experience from her home village in Ghana. Thompson already serves as a Queen Mother in her community, where she works directly with local youth and spearheads development projects, including initiatives to install water pumps and build bathroom facilities for local schools. She noted that the MBIA platform’s focus on lifting up Black women has amplified her ability to create meaningful change. “Being a part of an organisation that is made for you, made for you to succeed and wants to see you succeed helps you grow within your work,” she said.
Over the coming 12 months, the four ambassadors will travel across regions to lead community service projects, promote youth leadership programming, and advance their individual advocacy agendas. The group also confirmed that a planned working trip to Ghana is on the schedule, where they will support local development initiatives alongside Thompson. When asked about the road ahead, Abdul-Quawiyy summed up the cohort’s momentum: “We are hitting the ground, honey.”