local storiesJuly 15, 2025

Conversations with Jahmea Bent

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jahmea Bent.

Hi Jahmea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Jahmea Bent is a 26 year old woman of many talents and accomplishments. With accolades from water polo to pageantry, her unique story blends a series of avenues to inspire her community to believe that dreams truly do come true with strong work ethic, resilience, and faith. This drive started at a young age. Born and raised in South Los Angeles, CA to a hardworking Belizean American single mother and three strong older sisters, she instantly understood the definition of a strong independent black woman. Although secured and taught by women in the household, it still left her vulnerable to external struggles. Growing up in an underserved neighborhood affected by crime and gang violence, she faced many challenges—but she was also surrounded by love, hope, and a deep-rooted belief that she was meant for more. That belief led her into sports at 8 years old, but at the age of 14, she found her passion in water polo and swimming—a journey that took her from high school athletics to becoming a former professional water polo athlete in Berlin, Germany. After years in the pool, she felt called into the world of modeling, which unexpectedly opened the door to pageantry. Modeling gave her incredible opportunities to work with several designers and brands such as Adidas and Laurence Basse to name a couple. Pageantry gave her a platform to be a voice and ambassador for something bigger than herself. In 2023, she was honored to be crowned Queen of Kingdom Day Parade, a title that allowed her to celebrate both the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and her beloved Leimert Park community. Then, in 2024, she made history as the first Belizean representative to win the Miss Caribbean Los Angeles title. Now, she is stepping onto the Miss California USA stage with a vision – to bring the Miss USA and Miss Universe crown back home, while shining a spotlight on the power of representation, cultural pride, and “H2O – Heal to Overcome” prioritizing mental health through aquatics, which is the heart of her platform. She is also stepping onto the Miss Caribbean Culture Queen stage in Nevis – to represent Belize for the first time and showcase why she is to be the next queen. Her story is no where close to finish, but her journey so far has shaped her into the ambitious, hardworking, and down to earth person she is today.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Jahmea Bent’s journey has been marked by a number of significant challenges that shaped her into the woman she is today. Growing up in South Los Angeles, she faced the harsh realities of an underserved neighborhood affected by crime and limited resources, that as a result, challenged her to dream beyond the world she grew up in. Even with strong role models, growing up in an underserved area while pursuing high-level goals strained her mental health. Additionally, transitioning from professional sports to modeling and pageantry required resilience and reinvention—each new field brought its own set of doubts and demands she had to overcome.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Jahmea is a woman of many aspirations, but her current work is deeply rooted in giving back to her community. She serves as a youth counselor for a social services organization that provides temporary housing and support for children impacted by abuse, neglect, or abandonment. In addition, she teaches swim lessons to both children and adults of all ages, while also managing a public pool in East Los Angeles through LA City Recreation and Parks. This role is especially meaningful to her, as she proudly gives back to the very program that helped shape her own journey. Her passion for aquatics continues through her role as a water polo goalie coach for an elite performance training academy. While many recognize her for her work in modeling and, more recently, her growing presence in pageantry, it’s her heart for service that truly defines her and sets her apart from others.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson Jahmea has learned is that healing is just as important as achieving. As someone who is naturally ambitious and driven, she has at times found herself caught up in the pressure to constantly perform and meet society’s high expectations. This mindset left little room for her mental and emotional well-being, eventually leading to burnout and a loss of motivation – even for the things she loves most. Through experience, she’s come to understand the importance of prioritizing rest, joy, and self-care. By intentionally making time for the things that make her feel grounded, rejuvenated, and whole, she’s learned how to sustain her journey with strength, clarity, and purpose.

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Image Credits
Tiel Bowers

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