Meet Regina Duggins: Founder/President of Charleston Black Pride

Regina Duggins is a District 20 Constituent School Board member. She is also the founder of a girl’s mentoring program called “Black Magic Girls” as well as the founder of Charleston Black Pride (LGBTQ organization for people of color), former League of Women’s Education Director, Graduate of Charleston Rise Cohort 2 parent advocacy group.

Additionally, she is a self-published author/poet of two poetry books entitled “Black Magic” & “Black Coffee; No Sugar, No Cream!” and a fiction book entitled, “New York Styles, What Time Is It?”

Check out the interview below.

Tell us about Charleston Black Pride. What was the goal for starting it?

Regina: Charleston Black is an LGBTQ+ of Color organization servicing the Charleston, SC area and the LowCountry. Charleston Black Pride’s goal for starting was built on the dire need for inclusion and equality in the Lowcountry. CHSBP is focused on creating the change that is necessary for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual or Allied. We will no longer be in silence. The mission of Charleston Black Pride is to create opportunities that educate, inspire, improve and celebrate the experiences of LGBTQIA people of color. We will support and provide an educational and social environment through events and forums that bring awareness, visibility and create safe spaces to expose the multifaceted lives of LGBTQIA people of color.

When are the Charleston Black Pride events held?

Regina: Charleston Black Pride Anniversary Weekend is held during the last weekend of October leading up to November 1st, which is recognized in the City of Charleston as “Charleston Black Pride Day!” We also host events and outreach throughout the year.

You also have other events. Tell us about those.

Regina: The other events that we host are homebuyers seminars, youth back to school community giveback, food drives, clothing drives, Grandfather’s Day, Covid-19 hygiene kits outreach day, Friendsgiving (Thanksgiving Potluck), and blood drives.

You are also the founder of a mentoring program called Black Magic Girls. What is the program about and what motivated you to start it?

Regina: Black Magic Girls is a girls mentoring program that is housed in a local middle and high school serving girls between the ages of 11-18. The program is about self-awareness, self-esteem, motivation, and mentoring. I was motivated to start this girls mentoring program because I felt that during these ages, it is difficult for many girls to understand how their life is changing and they are becoming more responsible for what happens to it. I help to guide them into a successful path. When I was a young girl, a mentoring program and a few adults helped save my life and provided opportunities for me and I felt the need to want to give back to the youth.

You have quite a busy schedule. How do you manage your time?

Regina: I manage time by remembering that if I don’t take care of me first, I won’t be able to help anyone else. I set self-care moments and days for myself, especially when I feel that I have been going far and beyond for my community.

Take us through your day. What is your day typically like?

Regina: My day typically consists of going to work as a reading interventionist for middle schoolers. When I get home, I become the caregiver for my 78-year-old mother. I make sure all her needs are met. Once she is settled, I begin brainstorming about what ideas I can do to assist in making my community better.

What’s up next for you?

Regina: I would like to eventually have my own building so that I can continue the community work that I enjoy. Finding a space to operate the programs is my next step.

What are your website and social media links?

Regina: www.Charlestonblackpride.org

FB: Charleston Black Pride or LowCountry Black Pride or Regina Duggins