HEAVEN MAXINE- DAWNETTE CUNNINGHAM
Heaven Maxine-Dawnette Cunningham gracefully serves as the extraordinary 53rd Miss Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, the nation’s very first HBCU. A proud graduating senior from the sensational Class of 2026, Heaven is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She stands firmly on the platform, “Your crown, your story. You do not have to be the perfect student to be a student leader.” Her platform reflects her belief that there is no perfect path to success, but your story will be. Gracefully broken yet purposefully restored, Heaven represents first- generation HBCU scholars and first- generation Americans, with family roots tied to Kingston, Jamaica. Hailing from Mount Vernon, New York, she is a passionate advocate against violence toward girls and a co-founder of the nonprofit Flight 914, an HBCU-style collegiate preparation summit birthed by three HBCU women. In partnership with the Mount Vernon City Mayor’s Office, Flight 914 uplifts local youth and emphasizes the importance of scholarship, attendance, and service.
Service, advocacy, faith, and love are not only the pillars of Heaven’s character, but also define her reign as Miss Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. A multifaceted student leader both on and off campus, Heaven serves as section president of the National Council of Negro Women, co-captain of the Cheyney University Stomp and Shake Cheer Team, vice president of the Wolf-Guide New Student Mentorship Organization, and is the first Miss Cheyney University to simultaneously serve as a presidential intern to Cheyney University President Dr. Aaron Walton. Heaven’s passion for mentorship and service is divinely ordained and rooted in personal transformation. Entering Cheyney University as a grieving student after witnessing the passing of her first mentee during her senior year of high school, Heaven made a commitment to
pour life into everyone she encountered. This calling led her to become president of the DMAX Foundation Mental Health Club at Cheyney University, the only HBCU represented in DMAX’s national cohort. Post-graduation, Heaven plans to pursue a master’s degree in business, laying the foundation for her entrepreneurial journey as a campus makeup artist, fashion storefront owner, and HBCU influencer. Her ultimate career goal is to become a Chief Brand Officer within the fashion and beauty industry and to open an intellectual property law firm dedicated to advancing Black creators and entrepreneurs. Heaven allows God to order her steps, trusting His light to guide her path so that wherever she stands, it is within His divine ordinance.
HBCU TIMES WINTER ISSUE 2026 | 4 1
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