Athenea Pérez is the first Black woman to win the Miss Spain title.
Pérez, who placed in the top 10, said in her Miss Universe introduction video that she was raised by a single immigrant mother.
“I know that my story can help and inspire people,” Pérez said. “Diversity is here, and diversity is now, it’s today.”
The 27-year-old is an advocate for racial equality in Spain and is using her platform to fight against interpersonal violence.
