She arrived on the global stage with quiet power. In 2020, a Canadian model and activist claimed the national crown. Her win was historic.
This titleholder became the first woman of South Sudanese origin to represent Canada at the international competition. Her presence on the Miss Universe stage signaled a shift.
Born Nyawal Bukjok in Nairobi, Kenya, her story began far from the spotlight. Her parents, fleeing civil war, sent their six-year-old daughter to Canada alone. This search for safety shaped her resilience.
Today, her work blends high fashion with grassroots organizing. The platform of a beauty pageant serves a deeper purpose for this activist. It amplifies voices for racial justice and community change.
Her journey redefines what a model star can be. It is a narrative built on truth, not performance.
Life Story and Unique Origins
At six years old, she boarded a plane alone, carrying nothing but her parents’ hopes for a safer future. Her early life began in Nairobi, Kenya, where her South Sudanese parents sought refuge from civil war.
Early Childhood in Kenya and Family Separation
The decision to send her to Canada fractured her childhood but forged incredible resilience. Her family remained in Africa, scattered across Ethiopia and UN camps in South Sudan.
This separation would last over two decades. She moved between relatives’ homes in Alberta and Ontario, learning independence far earlier than most children.
Immigration to Canada and Embracing New Beginnings
By age 15, she was living independently with support from Alberta’s Youth Transitions Program. The program paired her with a social worker who helped navigate the challenges of teenage life.
She completed her high school education while managing the practical demands of independent living. Her experience transformed her perspective on youth support systems.
At 18, she returned to the same program as a manager, helping other teenagers facing similar struggles. Her personal journey gave her unique insight into the needs of displaced youth.
| Year | Age | Key Life Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 6 years | Sent alone to Canada | Nairobi to Alberta |
| Early 2000s | 15 years | Began living independently | Alberta, Canada |
| Mid-2000s | 18 years | Began managing youth program | Alberta, Canada |
| 2021 | Adult | Reunited with family after 21 years | South Sudan |
The long separation from her family ended in 2021 with an emotional reunion in South Sudan. This homecoming highlighted both her personal journey and the broader immigrant experience.
Her early education in Canada, while marked by instability, became foundational to her later advocacy work. It gave her intimate understanding of the challenges facing immigrant youth.
Nova Stevens: Pageantry, Modeling, and Acting Triumphs
The runway called first, with modeling opportunities arriving before high school graduation. At sixteen, she moved to New York City to build her professional modeling career. This early start laid the foundation for a multifaceted entertainment career.
Journey Through Beauty Pageants and Miss Universe Canada
Her pageant journey spanned three Miss Universe Canada competitions. She placed Top 12 in 2014 and won Miss Photogenic in 2018. The 2020 competition brought her the national title.
Inspired by Zozibini Tunzi’s 2019 Miss Universe win, she competed authentically with natural hair. This decision challenged conventional beauty standards in pageant culture. She wanted young Black girls to see themselves represented on stage.
As Miss Universe Canada 2020, she represented her country at the global competition. Though she didn’t place in the Top 21, her presence made history. She became the first woman of South Sudanese origin on the Miss Universe stage.
Transitioning to Modeling and On-Screen Roles
After New York, she relocated to Vancouver in 2014 to expand into acting. Her television credits include roles in See, The Magicians, and Snowpiercer. These appearances demonstrated her range across different genres.
Commercial work for brands like Toyota, Macy’s, and HP provided financial stability. This supported her activist work behind the scenes. Her career shows how commercial success can fuel meaningful community work.
The crown was never just about beauty for this actress and model. She explicitly planned to use the pageant platform for racial justice advocacy. Her career intersections created compound visibility across multiple audiences.
Activism, Advocacy, and Impact on Community
When grief turned to action, a new chapter of advocacy began on Canadian streets. The model used her visibility to amplify urgent calls for racial justice.
Championing Black Lives Matter and Racial Justice
The 2020 protests sparked massive mobilization. She co-organized Vancouver’s Freedom March, drawing over 15,000 people. This demonstration became one of the city’s largest Black Lives Matter events.
Her advocacy extended to political channels. She successfully lobbied for official recognition of Emancipation Day. This marked August 1st as a day to remember slavery’s end in Canada.
Vancouver Magazine recognized her influence, ranking her #8 in their Power 50 list. The honor acknowledged her impact during a critical year for racial justice.
Philanthropic Endeavors and Support for Youth
Beyond protests, she built lasting support systems. She founded Go Supernova to empower underprivileged BIPOC youth. The organization provides education, arts, and mentorship programs.
She also created Vancouver’s first Juneteenth celebration in 2021. The event highlighted BIPOC artists and businesses. It fostered economic opportunity alongside cultural recognition.
Her work includes spokesperson roles for Keep6ix, supporting at-risk youth. Additional partnerships address food insecurity and global education needs.
| Organization | Focus Area | Year Founded | Primary Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go Supernova | Youth Empowerment | 2020 | Education & Mentorship |
| Black Culture Celebration | Cultural Recognition | 2021 | Economic & Artistic Platform |
| Keep6ix Partnership | Justice Reform | Ongoing | Youth Legal Support |
| Operation Smile Collaboration | Global Health | Ongoing | Medical Care Access |
Each initiative reflects her commitment to tangible community support. The work connects local action with global justice causes.
Legacy, Personal Triumphs, and Future Aspirations
Her legacy reshapes the very definition of success in the public eye. Nova Stevens transformed a beauty pageant title into a platform for community change. The Miss Universe Canada 2020 win was just the beginning.
Her emotional family reunion in 2021 after twenty-one years apart captured global attention. This South Sudanese woman’s journey highlights the immigrant experience with raw honesty. It showed the resilience required to build a new life.
Stevens channels her personal history into youth empowerment work. Her organization provides education and mentorship programs for underserved communities. She understands the potential that proper support can unlock.
At thirty-three years of age, her future aspirations focus on expanding this work. She plans to grow her community programs and continue advocacy. Nova Stevens proves that crowns and campaigns can coexist with purpose.
