Deshauna Barber-Echols

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Deshauna Barber-Echols Deshauna Barber is an Author, Speaker, Former Miss USA & Army Veteran committed to inspiring others!

Deshauna Barber is a former Miss USA and award-winning international speaker, coach, and entrepreneur with a bold approach to inspiring and encouraging her audience. Deshauna uses her experience as an Army officer, Non-Profit CEO, former Miss USA, and STEM graduate to inspire her audience. Deshauna shows the power of perseverance and tenacity to now become a top-rated speaker that is widely sought after by Fortune 500 companies. She currently works full time as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Service Women’s Action Network, the nation’s leading 501c3 nonprofit organization advocating on behalf of all service women and women veterans in the country. Deshauna is currently receiving her Diversity, Social Justice and Inclusion Certification at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Virginia State University and a Master of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and Services from University of Maryland University College. As Miss USA, she spent her year-long reign advocating for our men and women in uniform by encouraging our government to provide additional support for soldiers suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The 31-year-old uses her platform to encourage us to pay close attention to the mental health of our service members after deployments and their service to our country. Captain Barber has served her country for over 10 years and now works as cadet instructor at Howard University's Bison Battalion during her Army Reserve commitment. When she is not serving her country, she travels the world as a full time Motivational Speaker. She has made it her life goal to encourage, inspire and strengthen the people around her. Deshauna has appeared on The Steve Harvey Show, The Rachael Ray Show, Fox and Friends, The Chelsea Show, Good Morning Washington, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The T.D. Jakes Show, The Nightly Show, The Source on Sirius XM, The Daily Show, Lunch Break, Live with Kelly, Good Morning America and in Glamour Magazine and Diversity Magazine.

On Monday, I had the privilege of speaking on the Office Hours: Defining Our Standards panel at my alma mater, Virginia ...
09/17/2026

On Monday, I had the privilege of speaking on the Office Hours: Defining Our Standards panel at my alma mater, Virginia State University.

Returning to the place that helped me find my identity and my calling, and that gave me some of the most pivotal moments of my life, was truly full circle.

Especially getting to speak with VSU students sitting in the same seats I once sat in, hoping to hear something that would encourage them and remind them not to give up on their dreams.

Thank you to SheaMoisture and Walmart for the invitation. Sharing a stage with Briana Wright, Clarke Peoples, Iyanna Mims, and Justin Revenge was nothing short of an honor. 💙

This morning our operations team at Veterans Community Project of St. Louis lowered the flags to half-staff, as did VCP ...
09/11/2026

This morning our operations team at Veterans Community Project of St. Louis lowered the flags to half-staff, as did VCP sites across the country, marking 25 years since September 11, 2001.

Many of them veterans themselves. Some served before that day. Some, like myself, enlisted in the years after.

Twenty-five years later, we remember the lives lost, we honor the families who still carry it, and we remain committed to the men and women who answered the call to defend this country.

On September 14th, I’ll be back at Thee Virginia State University for on The Yard, speaking on the “Office Hours: Defi...
09/10/2026

On September 14th, I’ll be back at Thee Virginia State University for on The Yard, speaking on the “Office Hours: Defining Our Standards” panel.

Fifteen years after graduating, I get to stand in front of students who are sitting exactly where I once sat and talk about career, personal brand, and everything I’ve learned since.

📍 Davis Hall Auditorium
⏰ 6:30 PM

Thank you to SheaMoisture & Walmart for bringing this conversation to Virginia State’s campus! Trojans, see you soon!

An Open Letter To The Pageant Community👑
08/31/2026

An Open Letter To The Pageant Community👑

Just alittle something to keep you humble 💅🏾75th Miss USA Celebration 👑
08/26/2026

Just alittle something to keep you humble 💅🏾

75th Miss USA Celebration 👑

Beyond excited to be a judge of the 75th Diamond Celebration of Miss USA on Queen Beauty Network! Who will take the crow...
08/25/2026

Beyond excited to be a judge of the 75th Diamond Celebration of Miss USA on Queen Beauty Network! Who will take the crown? 👑

Since 12:01 a.m. on January 1st, 2026, I’ve been walking through one of the darkest chapters of my life. Because every s...
08/20/2026

Since 12:01 a.m. on January 1st, 2026, I’ve been walking through one of the darkest chapters of my life. Because every single day has been a reminder that August 20th, 2026 was approaching and it would mark ten years without my mom. Ten years since I’ve hugged her. Ten years since I’ve heard her voice. 10 years since I’ve seen her smile.

Losing a mother feels like a spiritual amputation, a constant sense that something is missing, and learning to live with that missing piece has been the hardest part.

This year, I allowed myself to be broken 💔 I couldn’t do that ten years ago. My mother passed away only three months after I won Miss USA, and I couldn’t fall into that grief because the world was watching. And unfortunately the world’s cruelty and harsh opinions did not stop because I was mourning nor did the world give me the grace to be flawed.

A decade later, I’ve embraced my broken heart. Too often we refuse to let ourselves fall apart but every tear I’ve shed this year has been paying homage to a woman who gave so much to everyone she loved. Watching her strength in her last two years reminded me exactly where mine comes from. 🕊️

Mom, even on my worst days I’ve known you were near, because I’ve watched miracles happen that could only be you and God up there advocating on my behalf. You are the greatest mom, and I was blessed with 26 years of you. ✨

To my husband, my sisters, my dad, my best friend, my stepmom, and my entire circle, thank you for letting me be flawed this year. Thank you for the grace you gave me when I couldn’t be the greatest friend or sister or daughter or wife, because I was too busy repairing my broken heart.

This year broke me and then put me back together. I promised myself that today would be my last day of sitting in shambles And who I am on the other side of this day is far better than who I have been.

I love you forever, Mom, and one day we’ll be reunited. Until then, I’m going to do my best to live up to everything you believed I could be. 🤍

Literally speechless as I write this 😩 My best friend of 19 years is a Mrs. 🥹💍 Brittany, so much in our lives have chang...
08/04/2026

Literally speechless as I write this 😩 My best friend of 19 years is a Mrs. 🥹💍

Brittany, so much in our lives have changed over the years, but one thing has remained the same: since 2007, we’ve been by each other’s side. 💙

From the First Day of ROTC, Freshman Year at Virginia State University walking home to Branch Hall, it’s been ride or die for us 🤷🏾‍♀️ We have seen so many ups,downs and craziness in each others lives we could write an entire book on the shenanigans 🤣

But sis, God has kept us covered and protected from so many things 💪🏾

Witnessing you being loved, cherished, protected and provided for by Mike has been so beautiful to witness. You deserve nothing less 🙏🏾

You, Major Browne, are one of the best things to happen to my life, and it was an honor to stand beside you as Maid of Honor as you stepped into your next chapter as wife🤍

Wishing Britt & Mike a lifetime of love and happiness! 🥂💐

07/16/2026

Thinking your dream would be easy to achieve? That's where most people go wrong.

Success isn't a fairy tale. It's not always pretty, and it's rarely fast, but it's always worth it. ✨

Last week was one for the books, and our hearts are overflowing with gratitude! TacticalGear.com donated dozens of items...
06/24/2026

Last week was one for the books, and our hearts are overflowing with gratitude!

TacticalGear.com donated dozens of items including tactical clothing, boots, shirts, and so much more to our organization to distribute to our veterans! We even received beautiful new furniture for our office to create a warmer, more welcoming space for the heroes we serve.

🇺🇸A heartfelt THANK YOU to Alexis Mcgrail and her team at TacticalGear.com, Galls and US Patriot for their generosity!

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