Shavana Clarke is a first-generation Jamaican-American who is proudly a part of the LGBTQ+
community. She is honored to be the first openly lesbian Miss USA state titleholder. She earned
a BFA in acting from the University of Connecticut and performed regionally as well as in
numerous off-Broadway shows post-graduation. She currently works as a sales coordinator,
model, and entrepreneur. 

Shavana’s struggles with her mental health inspired her to create #YourMentalHealthBestie,
using both social media and her blog to share her own experiences and educate people about
borderline personality disorder and other mental health diagnoses with the hope of helping
others feel less alone. Shavana took up crocheting to help with her anxiety and her love for
crocheting quickly turned into a crochet-wear line lovingly named Sour Candy Studio, where she
makes unique and fun one-of-one sustainable pieces.

Shavana also finds joy in writing poetry, rock climbing, practicing her British accent for her next
trip to London, and spending time with her loved ones (including her morkie, Mamba).