Sierra Leone’s Daniella Boima Garrick Crowned Miss Albinism Africa 2025

Daniella Boima Garrick of Sierra Leone has been crowned Miss Albinism Africa 2025.

The 21-year-old fashion model and advocate was celebrated for her courage and grace at the inaugural pageant, held on June 28, 2025, as part of the broader African Diversity Festival in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The announcement was met with a wave of support, including a celebratory message from Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Tunis, who took to social media to congratulate Boima Garrick. “Congratulations to Daniella Boima Garrick, crowned Miss Albinism Africa 2025! 👑🇸🇱 Sierra Leone celebrates you—a beacon of beauty, courage, and inclusion,” the minister wrote.

The Mr and Miss Albinism Africa pageant, an initiative by the Dare to Dream Initiative (ADDI), was launched with the goal of empowering and building confidence in people with albinism across the continent. Speaking at a press briefing, ADDI Executive Director Brenda Mudzimu emphasized that the event was “birthed from a vision to build the confidence and self-esteem of persons with albinism in Africa.”

The festival and pageant, held under the theme “Shining in the Rainbow Africa,” brought together 31 candidates from 18 nations. The week-long boot camp, which began on June 23, 2025, focused on enhancing participants’ communication, self-esteem, and advocacy skills.

Boima Garrick, a graduate with a Diploma in Air Travel Management, has been a passionate advocate for the rights and welfare of people with albinism, as well as women and girls with disabilities in her home country. She serves as the Ambassador and Gender Welfare Communication Officer of the Sierra Leone Association of Persons With Albinism (SLAPWA) and is the newly elected National Youth Leader of the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI).

Upon her arrival in Zimbabwe, Boima Garrick shared her motivation for participating in the pageant. “This is about more than just winning a title; it is an opportunity to give a voice to people with albinism who have often been overlooked,” she stated, adding that she was entering the competition with “determination, pride, and strength.”

In many African countries, people with albinism face severe discrimination, persecution, and violence due to harmful myths and misconceptions. Mrs. Mudzimu highlighted the urgency of this issue, noting that “many people with albinism are losing their lives due to myths and misconceptions in society,” particularly in countries like Tanzania where their body parts are sought for ritualistic purposes.

Albinism is a genetic disorder that prevents the body from producing melanin, leading to a lack of pigmentation in the skin, hair, and eyes. The condition often results in vision problems and an increased susceptibility to skin cancer. The pageant and festival are significant steps toward challenging stigma and promoting social inclusion.

As the new Miss Albinism Africa, Boima Garrick hopes to use her platform to raise awareness and change harmful misconceptions, stressing that albinism is not a contagious disease. She also aims to inspire others to embrace their uniqueness and stand tall with pride. Her victory is seen as a historic moment, representing a powerful message of acceptance and empowerment for people with albinism across Africa.