Shinita Payton is a native of Jackson, Mississippi. She has recently been crowned MS. Black Mississippi USA 2024. One of her greatest accomplishments is becoming a Licensed Cosmetologist and opening her natural hair salon Legacy Barber Girl, located in Flowood, MS. Through her business she inspires women to embrace their natural hair and own their image. As MS. Black Mississippi USA, her goal is to use her platform The Exquisite Crowns Initiative, to normalize natural beauty and increase diversity in the workplace and academic settings.When Shinita’s not in the salon, you can find her spending time with her husband, Paxton, and their two fur babies, Jaxson and CoCo. They reside in Brandon, MS, and are active members of New Vision Fellowship, under the leadership of Pastors Juan and Robin Jones