Meet the Founder
Courage. Audacity. Positivism.
De’Vaughnn Williams, Ms. Washington Global Continental 2024 and Foster & Fashion Founder/Director.
De’Vaughnn Williams is a five-time internationally recognized pageant title holder, hailing from Seattle, Washington. Throughout her illustrious career, she has been featured in esteemed publications such as The Washington Post, The Seattle Times, Missouri Life Magazine, The News Tribune and others, showcasing her dedication and talent in the world of pageantry and activism.
A Life Shaped by Advocacy and Resilience
With a deep passion for advocating for foster kids and at-risk youth, De’Vaughnn has been at the forefront of leading initiatives to support and empower the most vulnerable populations, using her testimony to inspire and engage her community. In 1992, De’Vaughnn and her siblings were placed in the Washington foster care system, becoming subject to unfortunate circumstances, until their removal and placement back with their biological family in 1999. In 2007, De’Vaughnn and her siblings received the largest settlement of its kind in Washington state history.
Since embarking on her pageant journey in 2015, she has collaborated with over 30 organizations, making a lasting impact in her community and beyond. Her tremendous work, passion for change and leadership endeavors led to her being named a Goodwill Ambassador to the Republic of Sierra Leone appointed by the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Backori Cortu Stevens.
Read more about her 2015 pageant journey on The Seattle Medium.
In 2016, De’Vaughnn founded Ebony Fashion Week, a platform which bridges the gap between grassroots communities and the high fashion industry and celebrates diversity and inclusivity in the Pacific Northwest. Her commitment to creating opportunities for underrepresented voices led her to partner with Estee Lauder to launch Fashion Week Noire in 2020, further elevating black culture and excellence in the Pacific Northwest fashion industry.
In 2023, De’Vaughnn took her advocacy a step further by founding the Foster & Fashion Movement, a groundbreaking initiative that combines her love for fashion with her dedication to placing positive power back into the hands of foster youth. Through this innovative platform, she continues to use her naturally sunny disposition to break barriers and inspire change in the lives of those in need.
Learn more about Ebony Fashion Week and the Foster & Fashion movements via coverage from the Federal Way Mirror.
“Foster & Fashion is a beacon of positivity, resilience, and inclusivity, fostering a community where every individual can confidently stride forward, adorned in the beauty of their own story.”
– De’Vaughnn Williams, Founder & Director
De’Vaughnn Williams is not just a pageant queen, but a visionary leader, activist and mentor who uses her platform and story to make a difference in the world. Her unwavering commitment to advocacy and social impact sets her apart as a trailblazer in her various industries, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.