Charleston Black Pride

06/04/2026

AFFA & local q***r leaders join together to present a panel on What advocacy looks like in the q***r community in Charleston? during Park Circle Pride on Wednesday, June 3 at 7 p.m. at Commonhouse Aleworks.
This is awesome to see community leaders share their prospectives on issues that the LGBTQ+ community face in the 21st Century. It’s important to amplify voices as we are all in this fight together.
Kudos to all the panelists including Ashley Peele, Harlan Greene, Phil Ford and Charleston Black Pride’s Prince Zachery Williams Matthews & Our Ballroom Coordinator Juss Rob!!
Happy Pride 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈
Making a difference
Representation Matters
Let Love Win!
We are in this fight together! 💪🏾💪🏾🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

06/01/2026

06/01/2026

Happy Pride!!
This morning I was invited to the opening kickoff ceremony at the College of Charleston’s Addlestone Library honoring 7 individuals who have made a major impact in LGBTQ+ History in South Carolina. I am truly proud and honored to be amongst these esteemed individuals.

Today’s kickoff will be from 9am-5pm. The exhibition will be open & on display until October; located on the 3rd floor in the Archival section - to honor these names mentioned below 👇🏾
here is a list of those that are part of the exhibit this first year:
-John Ziegler
-Dawn Langley Simmons
-Mary Jo Smith Fetzer
-John Martin Taylor
-Linda Ketner
-Africa Brooks/Bryan
-Lynn Dugan
-Regina Duggins

Come out and support!! Learn about the movers and shakers who have made change in South Carolina for LGBTQ+ individuals.


🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

06/01/2026

As we celebrate Pride Month this June, I reflect with gratitude, determination, and hope on the journey of Charleston Black Pride.
Since 2019, I have proudly served as the Founder of Charleston Black Pride because representation matters. It was necessary to create a space where LGBTQ+ people of color could be seen, valued, affirmed, and celebrated. For far too long, our stories, our voices, and our experiences have been overlooked. Charleston Black Pride was founded to ensure that our community would no longer stand in the shadows but instead thrive in the light of visibility, empowerment, and unity.
While we celebrate the progress that has been made, we must also acknowledge the challenges that remain. LGBTQ+ people of color continue to face discrimination, violence, housing insecurity, healthcare disparities, employment inequities, and barriers to mental health support. Across our nation and throughout the world, same-gender-loving individuals continue to experience harassment, persecution, and tragic acts of violence simply for existing as their authentic selves. The senseless loss of lives due to hate and intolerance reminds us that our fight for equality is far from over.
The universal theme of Pride Month is rooted in visibility, dignity, freedom, and love. Pride is more than a celebration—it is a reminder of the courage of those who came before us, the resilience of those fighting today, and the responsibility we have to create a future where every person can live openly, safely, and authentically.
As we navigate the realities of the current political climate and administration, grassroots organizations and community leaders are more important than ever. We cannot afford to be silent. We must continue to advocate, organize, educate, and protect the communities we serve. Real change happens when local voices come together to address local needs and build collective power.
My call to action this Pride Month is simple: support grassroots organizations, invest in community-led initiatives, volunteer your time, mentor our youth, attend local events, and use your voice to challenge injustice wherever it exists. Equality is not a destination we have reached—it is a promise we must continue to fight for every day.
Pride began as a movement, and it remains a movement. Until every LGBTQ+ person is treated with dignity, respect, safety, and equality, our work continues.
Happy Pride Month.
With Pride and Purpose,
Dr. Regina Duggins�*Founder, Charleston Black Pride
*SC LGBTQ+ Collections & Archives of Charleston Community Advisory Board member

05/25/2026

South Carolina, this election is an “ALL IN”decision.
This is bigger than politics. This is about survival, accountability, and the future of our communities. Too many families are struggling with rising food prices, gas prices, rent, healthcare costs, and wages that no longer match the cost of living. Even educated professionals with careers are feeling the pressure.
This is not just a “poor people problem.” This is a STATE OF EMERGENCY issue affecting working people, seniors, students, educators, and families across our state.
To the non-voters: your silence still impacts the outcome.�To the people who believe voting doesn’t matter: decisions are being made every day whether we participate or not.�To the forever voters: keep showing up and bringing others with you.
Our democracy and our communities depend on participation. Local elections, primaries, and the general election all shape what happens in our schools, neighborhoods, healthcare systems, jobs, and daily lives.
Every vote is a voice. Every election is a choice.�South Carolina — we cannot afford to sit this one out.

Time to prepare to vote in South Carolina's Primary Elections!🗳️

📅 Early voting runs Tuesday May 26, 2026 – Friday June 5, 2026 (weekdays only)
⏰ 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

In the tri-county area, you may vote at any one of the locations in your county from the list on the flyer below.

Your vote matters. Your voice matters.

Please Share This!!

05/23/2026

In Lieu of the video that is being heavily shared amongst social media:

Charleston Black Pride (501c3 organization) will not remain silent while LGBTQ+ youth & Of Color are publicly mocked, targeted, filmed, and humiliated for social media entertainment.
What may be considered “content” or “clout” to some is, in reality, emotional bullying and public degradation directed at a young person who was simply showing up to work and existing authentically. When grown adults use their platforms to antagonize vulnerable youth, it sends a dangerous message that harassment is acceptable if it generates laughs, likes, or views.
Let us be clear: LGBTQ+ youth are not public punching bags for adult amusement.
We challenge our community to ask itself a deeper question: What kind of adults are we becoming when cruelty is normalized as comedy?
Leadership is not about embarrassing young people. Manhood is not measured by intimidation. Community is not built through humiliation.
We stand firmly beside every young LGBTQ+ person who deserves to feel safe in their workplace, schools, neighborhoods, and online spaces. We will continue advocating, educating, and speaking out against bullying in all forms — especially when it is disguised as entertainment.
Protect our youth. Correct harmful behavior. Choose humanity over humiliation.

04/26/2026

As a black le***an founder of an LGBTQ+ of Color Organization-on Le***an Visibility Day is more than recognition—it is about resistance, reflection, and responsibility. As an organization, Charleston Black Pride, strives for equality and acceptance..
It is about standing boldly in a world that has often asked me to shrink, to choose between my identities, or to exist quietly. I refuse. I exist fully—Black, le***an, woman, leader—and each part of me deserves to be seen, valued, and protected.
Visibility is not just about being noticed; it’s about being affirmed. It’s about creating spaces where young people can see themselves reflected in leadership, in joy, in possibility. It’s about showing them that they do not have to hide to survive—they can thrive out loud.
This day also honors the shoulders we stand on—the Black le***an pioneers, activists, and community builders who made space for us to lead, to love, and to live freely.
As a founder, visibility comes with responsibility. I am committed to building community, advocating for equity, and ensuring that our stories are not erased but amplified.
Today, and every day, I stand in my truth—not just for myself, but for every Black le***an who deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
We are visible. We are powerful. We are necessary.”

04/11/2026

It goes down April 29th, 2026
Bar Polari
Open mic night & poetry night in honor of Poetry Month!!
Calling all poets and lyrical performers - we want to see your face in the place.
Open for all adults supports, allies, tonight we come together in unity!!

04/07/2026

Calling All Poets/Open Mic Night contestants: let’s honor poetry month together!!
April 29th, 2026 Polari
North Charleston, SC
Starting at 7pm
Highlights