Naiylah Archer

The Filmmaker Queen Redefining Representation

At 23, Naiylah is not only a national queen, she’s a rising filmmaker and storyteller redefining what representation looks like on screen. A graduate of Saint Augustine’s University with a B.A. in Film (Cum Laude) and now an MFA candidate at Howard University’s Film Program, she’s using her crown and camera to amplify voices often left out of the frame.

“I’m not waiting for representation, I’m creating it,” says Archer. “I want Black women to see themselves as the authors of their own stories, both in front of and behind the camera.”

Born in Brooklyn, raised in Burlington, New Jersey, and proud of her Guyanese heritage, Naiylah stands as the first Guyanese-American woman to hold the national Miss Black USA title. Her cultural pride, faith, and artistic vision have shaped her purpose as a storyteller who merges artistry with advocacy.

The Filmmaker Queen: Faith, Film, and Representation

Under her new initiative “The Filmmaker Queen,” Naiylah plans to partner with schools, film festivals, and youth programs nationwide to mentor aspiring Black creatives and highlight the importance of authentic storytelling in media. Her projects will explore themes of faith, identity, and legacy, inviting young women to embrace their creative power and cultural truth.

Her journey includes internships with Sony Pictures Entertainment and CBS New York, where she worked under industry leaders dedicated to diversifying film and media. As an undergraduate at Saint Augustine’s University, she revitalized WAUG-TV, the nation’s first HBCU-owned radio and television network, helping secure a board-approved $1 million studio upgrade.

A Modern Queen for a New Generation

Naiylah represents the next evolution of the Miss Black USA legacy. She’s not just wearing a crown, she’s holding a camera and creating culture.

With her powerful blend of artistry, intellect, and advocacy, Naiylah is poised to bridge Hollywood and HBCUs, beauty and storytelling, faith and film.

International Impact

As the first Guyanese-American Miss Black USA, Naiylah will engage with Caribbean embassies and international media throughout her reign to promote cultural exchange, diaspora unity, and women’s empowerment through the arts.

Follow Naiylah's journey as Miss Black USA on IG: @officialmissblackusa