On Sunday, the 22nd October, 2023 was the Home Coming Event for the current Miss New Jersey USA.
Derby Ozioma Chukwudi is the current Miss New Jersey USA and a 1st generation Nigerian-American born in Dallas, TX, raised in Lagos, Nigeria, and now resides in Hoboken, New Jersey. On September 29, she placed Top 20 at the 72nd Miss USA competition in Reno, Nevada. She is on a mission to inspire the next generation of leaders by leveraging her multi-talented background, encompassing communication, strategy, pageantry, financial education, and community development. Derby is excited to reach several communities across New Jersey and spread awareness about financial education. She is passionate about advocating for financial literacy among young people to prepare them for a future of financial freedom and choices. Broadly, she believes everyone should dream and dream BIG – she is excited to continue empowering people and reminding them that their dreams are valid.
She is a member of the Global Investment Strategy Team at JPMorgan Private Bank in Midtown, New York. Prior to this role, she worked at the New Jersey Private Bank alongside a team responsible for advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, and foundations on various wealth management matters, including asset allocation and investment portfolio construction, lending, and wealth transfer planning. Derby joined J.P. Morgan in 2018 as a Summer Analyst and returned full-time in 2019 after graduating with her undergraduate degrees. Derby graduated cum laude from Berea College with a BSc. Degree in Business Administration and B.A. degree in Economics.
She has also been featured on Yahoo Finance, Moneywise.com, Essence, JPMorgan, Women’s Wear Daily, Business Insider, and Bella Naija. Outside of work, she is an award-winning Toastmasters public speaker passionate about creating awareness for financial education. She invests her time in volunteering within her community, mentoring young adults, and empowering people, reminding them that their dreams are valid. Derby has been named Finalist for the She Inspires Awards and Lead5050 Awards for 2023. In 2022, Derby was named a Women of Inspiration Award Finalist – the Women of Inspiration Award recognizes the achievement of women who lead, inspire, and motivate. In 2018, she was selected as one of the Forbes 30 Under 30 Scholars. Derby continues to be an agent of positive change while impacting the lives of everyone she interacts with.
It was a glamorous event as she was also received by Miss Aviation Top Model.
When interviewed about she felt seeing the warm reception at the Home Coming Event at ILÉ IYÁN, she responded
“It is an amazing feeling to have been honored by ILÉ IYÁN. It really Lagos best and everyone needs to have this phenomenal experience. Yesterday was amazing seeing people from all over come to show their support, love, and commitment. I am thankful, happy , and excited to be back! Special thanks to Chef Sanni and the ILÉ IYÁN family for setting the tone for what true support looks like! It feels so good to be back. Nigeria is where it all started especially in Lagos where I grew. Coming back not alone but with the Miss New Jersey USA crown – the first of its kind in 72 years since the pageant started in the USA – feels great. I was able to showcase African beauty on an American stage to show the world that Nigeria creates the best and brightest and to inspire my fellow Nigerians that dreaming BIG is for everyone not only a select few.
I’d like to appreciate my Miss New Jersey USA directors – Cindy Provost and Debbie Miller
Miss USA President, Laylah Rose
This Event was fully packaged by Kenny Moore Events which also featured Super Bike display by Road Kings, Hadiza Traditional Dance Troupe, Special performance from Irohinayo the Violinist, Meet and Greet with beauty Queens and fans, Autographs and Press engagement She was elegantly dressed by Top International designer Gabriel Tosh Luxury, her make up was done by Beauty by Somii, Hair by Tasala HQ Hair & Beauty.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
