Carrie Everett, the first HBCU student to win Miss North Carolina, has died at the age of 24 following a battle with a rare and aggressive form of gastric cancer, her family confirmed.
Everett passed away on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.
“Carrie Everett transitioned on Easter Sunday with her family and friends surrounding her with love,” her family said in a statement, asking for continued prayers as they honor her memory.
A student at North Carolina Central University, Everett made history in 2024 when she earned the Miss North Carolina title, becoming the first student from a historically Black college or university to achieve the honor.
Originally from Seattle, she stood out not only for her stage presence and talent, but also for her commitment to advocacy and community uplift. Everett used her platform to champion equity within the pageant world, launching initiatives aimed at increasing accessibility for women from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.
“I can be the first but not the last,” Everett said after her historic win. “I want young women… attending HBCUs [to know] that this opportunity is for them.”
Her initiative, We Need Equity to Build Communities, focused on breaking down financial and structural barriers in pageantry, including advocating for funding to support wardrobe and participation costs—expenses that often limit access for aspiring contestants.
Everett was open about the challenges she faced while pursuing the crown, relying on community support to overcome the financial demands of competing. Her journey resonated widely, particularly among HBCU students and young women seeking representation in spaces where they have historically been underrepresented.
Despite her success in pageantry, Everett remained deeply committed to her academic and artistic ambitions. She was pursuing a degree in vocal performance and was known as an avid gospel singer, with plans to graduate in 2027.
Her life took a sudden turn in July 2025 when she was diagnosed with metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of gastric cancer.
In a tribute, NCCU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon remembered Everett as a “trailblazer” whose impact extended far beyond the stage.
“Her ambition, grace, tenacity and talent will be deeply missed,” Dixon said.
Everett’s legacy endures in the barriers she broke and the doors she opened for future generations.
Through her advocacy, achievements, and message of inclusion, she redefined what was possible for HBCU students in the pageant world—and inspired others to follow in her path.
