By Angela Lynn
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I am Angela Lynn, Ms. Nevada Corporate America 2025. I’m a Deaf global advocate, educator, and talk show host who uses my platform, The Angela Lynn Show, to champion inclusion and belonging across Deaf and hearing communities. In this inspiring piece, I share my journey from 1st runner-up to titleholder, revealing how courage, faith, and self-belief can transform barriers into bridges.
As a long-time contributing writer for Mélange Magazine, I’m honored to now share this new chapter of my journey. One that began with courage, grew through faith, and continues with purpose. As Ms. Nevada Corporate America 2025, my platform focuses on inclusion and belonging. My goal is to raise the bar nationally and globally, to help people be more open to these values in a positive way where everyone can unite together. My journey is not just about wearing a crown but about inspiring others to believe that they belong no matter what their barriers or differences.
Sometimes, we all have dreams or desires in life that we want to fulfill so we can feel equal and valued. I understand that feeling deeply. Sometimes we are aware of inclusion, but belonging does not seem to follow. Many of us have felt underestimated, silenced, unseen, overlooked, left out, or ignored. We all experience these feelings during different milestones in our lives. Everyone faces challenges and barriers. I have mine too, but I never let them define me. I learned to accept my growth and use belonging in my own way, creating a space that I could control. My biggest weakness has been self-doubt because, even as an educated Deaf woman capable of doing everything hearing people do, I sometimes questioned my worth. But that quiet ache of being left out or misunderstood became the push I needed to rise.
I have always admired Halle Berry’s story (who is hard of hearing). Before becoming an award-winning actress, she entered several beauty pageants, including Miss USA and Miss World, yet never won the national crown. But she kept going. Her story reminded me that not winning does not mean you lose. It means you are being prepared for something great. As a Deaf woman and former runner-up for Ms. Nevada Corporate America, I found deep inspiration in Halle Berry’s journey. It taught me that purpose is not always found in the crown you wear, but in the strength you carry after not winning it.
My journey taught me that every setback has a reason. Sometimes we are delayed so that we can be developed. I learned that being Deaf never limited my purpose. It made me stronger, wiser, and more aware of how inclusion and belonging can change lives. My story is a reminder that you can rise from any challenge when you believe in yourself and trust the timing of your purpose. Like a sunflower, I continue to reach toward the sun and bloom where I am planted.
![A woman wearing a crown and a "MS. NEVAD[sic] 2025" sash stands inside a building, posing for the camera and holding up a peace sign. She is wearing a yellow top, a black cardigan, and black leggings, and is holding a black Coach bag. A man is visible in the background talking on a phone at a counter.](https://melangeandco.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1000064144-478x1024.jpg)
When I was the 1st runner-up, I received a message from the President of Ms. Nevada Corporate America telling me that the reigning queen had decided to step down for personal reasons. I felt heartfelt for her and never expected this to happen. It took me ten days to prepare myself for the Ms. Corporate America Nationals. Before I say more, I remembered when I was at Gallaudet University serving as co-coordinator for their pageant, and someone told me I should join. I laughed and said, “Oh no, I am good.” Later, I realized that I missed a moment that was meant for me. When someone gives feedback, you should go for it. That is how I see it. Never ignore feedback because you may regret it later like I did. So, I am thankful for this opportunity to make up for the moment I once missed. I learned that when feedback is meant for you, it will be returned when the time is right. I was in the right place, ready to rise.
My mom, who served as an ambassador for Ms. Nevada Corporate America (MNCA), drove with full passion to support me. There was confusion at first, but I did not let doubt or fear stop me. I stood tall like a sunflower reaching for the sun. To make the long story short, my mom and I created a GoFundMe page because I had no sponsors ready to help me attend Nationals. I was blessed by support from both the Deaf and hearing communities who believed in me and wanted to see me represent the Deaf community proudly and build a platform that spoke louder for inclusion and belonging.
At Nationals, the competition included interviews, an onstage question, evening wear, and platform presentation. Each part allowed me to express who I am beyond the sash and to use my voice and my signing to show that Deaf women belong everywhere, even on the biggest stages. It was an experience that combined glamour with grit, and it deepened my mission to represent both the Deaf and hearing communities with pride.
At Nationals, I met so many wonderful women and felt deep sisterhood moments with them. At first, I did not feel a sense of belonging, but as I listened to their stories of struggle and strength, something changed in me. On the last night before the big competition, during the MCA Pajama Party, I finally shared my true feelings and my poem with the sisterhood. It came from my heart, and for the first time, I felt seen and heard. The first hug came from Kelenda Baird, our crowned Ms. Corporate America 2025, followed by everyone in the room and we all embraced through tears and unity. It was a powerful moment of inclusion and belonging that I will never forget! The next day, I walked on to that stage feeling proud. I was nervous but full of gratitude. The organization made sure my interpreter and I were fully supported, and even arranged captions for people watching online. That meant so much to me because I felt truly included. I did not walk away with the national crown, but I walked away with so much more; I made history and a difference.
Now as the official Ms. Nevada Corporate America queen, I am ready to share my platform: Inclusion and Belonging. The Angela Lynn Show is the voice of inclusion and belonging. I will use this show and platform to unite others where many inspiring stories can be shared and celebrated. I hope to speak across the nation and around the world to show that both hearing and Deaf people need inclusion. Sometimes hearing people do not realize that they also need belonging, because belonging doesn’t mean being seen, it also means to be accepted, and valued as part of something greater.
My favorite expression says it best: “Inclusion opens the door, and belonging invites you to stay”. That is my insight, my light, and my purpose. For a longer version of my MCA journey, visit my YouTube channel in November 2025. You can also learn more about my experience on The Hash Tag Podcast from Nairobi, Kenya and my video interview on Power 88.1 FM Radio through my website at www.theangelalynnshow.com.
As I continue this journey, I’m also expanding my mission beyond the written page. I am available for speaking engagements, conferences, and community events to share my story and advocate for inclusion and belonging across both the Deaf and hearing worlds.
Before I close, I strongly encourage you not to worry about barriers and don’t let discouragement stop you. Go out, try, and educate others. Turn barriers into stepping stones and show people where change begins. I had several overwhelming barriers, but I did let it stop me from going to Nationals, and they will not stop me from spreading my message. My next article will explore how inclusion and belonging fit beautifully in both worlds.
If you would like to be a guest on The Angela Lynn Show or learn more, please reach me at
- angelalynn@theangelalynnshow.com
- www.theangelalynnshow.com