Annette Addo-Yobo was born in Ghana and raised in both Canada and the United States. Her family’s international journey took them from Ghana to Canada and then to the U.S. for her father’s job. Eventually settling in Texas, Annette became a U.S. citizen only in 2022, making her victory in the Miss Texas 2024 competition particularly significant as she became the first immigrant-born and Ghanaian to win the title.
Her upbringing was heavily influenced by her family’s values, and she often refers to her brother Andrew, who is on the autism spectrum, as a significant source of inspiration for her advocacy work.
Annette Addo Yobo Wikipedia
Information | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Annette Addo-Yobo |
Date of Birth | 1998 (26 years old as of 2024) |
Nationality | Ghanaian-American |
Education | B.S. in Psychology, University of Texas at Dallas (2020); M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Sam Houston State University |
Current Title | Miss Texas 2024 |
Known For | First immigrant-born and first Ghanaian Miss Texas, Advocate for Autism Awareness |
Social Media Accounts | Instagram, Twitter |
Education and Advocacy
Annette graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2020 with a degree in Psychology, later pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Sam Houston State University. Her focus on psychology is deeply connected to her personal mission of autism advocacy. Having grown up with a brother diagnosed with autism, Annette became passionate about raising awareness for autism and advocating for better legislative support. She established her platform, The SPARK Project, which seeks to address the inequities in care and education for individuals with autism
Miss Texas 2024: A Historic Win
In July 2024, Annette was crowned Miss Texas 2024 after competing as Miss Southlake. Her win was historic, as she is the first immigrant-born woman and the first Ghanaian to claim this prestigious title. Annette’s talent presentation during the pageant was a powerful spoken word performance dedicated to autism awareness, highlighting the systemic challenges faced by autistic individuals and their families.
Beyond the crown, Annette views her victory as an opportunity to further her advocacy. She has already represented her cause in Washington, D.C., where she lobbied for the Autism CARES Act and the Autism Family Caregivers Act. Her advocacy journey has been shaped by her experiences with her brother, and she continues to use her platform to shed light on the importance of autism education and safety
Preparing for Miss America 2025
Annette’s next challenge is the Miss America 2025 pageant, where she will represent Texas. She hopes to continue the state’s strong tradition of success in the national competition and is excited about the opportunity to expand her platform on a larger stage.
Personal Life
Annette has kept much of her personal life private, focusing instead on her academic achievements, pageantry, and advocacy work. She is particularly close to her family, especially her brother Andrew, whose journey with autism has been a central influence on her work. Annette is also planning to pursue law school, but has put those plans on hold as she fulfills her duties as Miss Texas.
FAQs About Annette Addo-Yobo
How old is Annette Addo-Yobo?
Annette Addo-Yobo is 26 years old as of 2024.
Where was Annette Addo-Yobo born?
She was born in Ghana and later immigrated to the U.S. via Canada.
What is Annette Addo-Yobo’s educational background?
Annette holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Sam Houston State University
What cause does Annette Addo-Yobo advocate for?
Annette is a passionate advocate for autism awareness, largely inspired by her nonverbal autistic brother, Andrew
What makes Annette Addo-Yobo’s Miss Texas win significant?
She is the first immigrant-born and Ghanaian woman to win the Miss Texas title
Annette Addo-Yobo’s story exemplifies the American Dream, showcasing resilience, advocacy, and the power of representation. As she heads to Miss America, her voice will continue to amplify awareness around autism and inspire others to break barriers.