2026 Miss Black Maryland USA

Valdreace Williams

Valdreace Williams is an educator who currently works for Prince George's County Public Schools as a 7th-grade science teacher. Prior to teaching, she obtained her B.S. in Biology with a minor in Marine Science from her alma mater, Virginia Wesleyan University. This led to her participating in a year-long internship with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, where she worked to preserve and conserve native Floridian wildlife. In her free time, Valdreace enjoys taking salsa as well as bachata lessons, trying new fitness classes, reading, painting, crocheting, and creating content for her TikTok, which focuses on teaching others about Black history.

Valdreace’s platform is Black Centered and Black Led Education. With this platform, she hopes to create a space for Black educators to share their knowledge and inspire new generations of intellectuals.

2026 Ms. Black Maryland USA

Ayahnna Hines

Ayahnna Hines proudly serves as Ms. Black Maryland USA 2026, using her title, voice, and lived experiences to champion representation, access to dance arts, empowerment, and leadership for Black women and youth across the state. Her platform, “Be Divine, Be Empowered,” uses dance arts as a vessel to create pathways for generational impact by fostering healing, confidence, and sustainable opportunities for future generations. Ayahnna has three decades of experience in the dance industry as an educator and professional dance artist. She began her formal training in 1989 in Philadelphia, PA, and New York City, studying at renowned institutions. This early foundation shaped her strong technical presence and deep respect for classical and contemporary forms.

Ayahnna is a proud alumna of Howard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science in Pre-Physical Therapy. Under her student leadership role as a captain for the Bisonette Dance Ensemble, the collegiate dance team made history as the first HBCU dance team to compete at the Universal Dance Association Competition in Orlando, Florida. Years later, she returned to Howard University as a volunteer, serving as Assistant Coach and Head Coach, continuing her commitment to mentorship within collegiate dance. From 2007 to 2013, she served as a principal dancer with Grace Dance Theater in Philadelphia, a pivotal chapter that launched her teaching and choreographic work onto national and international stages. She has taught dance on U.S. Army bases in Germany, and in studios across Florida, while also having experience in other dance arena as a Philadelphia 76ers Dancer finalist (2007–2008), guest judge for the Washington Commanders’ Command Force (2022–2023), judge for MD Dance Project Mock Auditions (2024), and a pioneering company member of TEXTURES Dance Theatre (2025).

In parallel with her arts career, Ayahnna has built over a decade of experience in strategic communications, government service, executive support as a management and program analyst, in addition to the health sciences as a licensed PT Assistant. She also owns her own business as a digital media developer, brand consultant, and beauty, lifestyle, and empowerment influencer, amplifying brand voices and causes that matter to the betterment of black women.