ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - For Kennedy Larkin, the crown comes with a purpose — using her voice to fight domestic violence and uplift others in her community.

The 2026 Miss Albany is an Albany native, a graduate student, and the founder of a nonprofit dedicated to ending domestic violence. Now, she’s setting her sights on the Miss Georgia competition this June — and she’s bringing her community with her.

Peace Starts Here Initiative

Larkin launched her nonprofit, the Peace Starts Here Foundation, in August 2024 — the same year she began competing in pageants.

“I wanted to choose something that was near and dear to my heart and something that I would identify with,” Larkin said. “I actually chose a topic that I felt like would honor my mother.”

The foundation focuses on providing resources and advocacy for women suffering from domestic violence, with a particular emphasis on educating young people.

“My goal for the past two years has been to prioritize awareness for domestic violence and teach the youth about domestic violence and teach the youth how to become advocates on their own,” she said.

Through the foundation, Larkin has awarded more than $1,000 in scholarships to children, teens, and students learning about domestic violence. She has also partnered with Liberty House in Albany as part of her community outreach efforts.

Albany Roots

Larkin is a proud Westover High School graduate who began her pageant journey representing her university and later the city of Columbus, Georgia. Her third time competing, she had the chance to represent her hometown.

“Wearing Albany across my heart has absolutely been an amazing experience,” she said. “I pray to make Albany proud. And I feel so much love and support from my hometown.”

Balancing It All

Behind the crown is a full life. Larkin is a graduate student juggling academics, community work, and pageant preparation — and she’s open about the challenges that come with it.

“Being a pageant queen, I feel like a lot of the time, people think you’re supposed to be on all the time. But I am a human first,” she said. “I think the biggest challenge for me has been creating a balance.”

She hopes her transparency changes how people see pageantry altogether.

“I think that’s the beauty of pageantry — showing people that there isn’t perfection in this,” Larkin said.

What’s Next

Larkin is now preparing for the Miss Georgia competition in June, where she will represent Albany on a statewide stage. She says her focus remains on substance over spectacle.

“When I first started competing, I never wanted my reigns to just be about appearances or showing up in my crown and sash,” she said. “Being Miss Albany is beyond putting the crown on my head — it’s about showing up in my community and giving back to those affected by domestic violence.”

The Miss Georgia competition is scheduled for June 2026. For more information on the Peace Starts Here Foundation, visit Kennedy Larkin’s platform page.

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