I was sworn into the Harrison School District Two, Board of Education, November 7, 2019, on my birthday and was immediately voted in as the Vice President to make my day even more special. I hold many titles, but this title is the most gratifying. Our youth are our today as tomorrow may be too late and I am honored to be a voice for 11,000+ students making sure that there is equity, inclusion and diversity within our district and that our scholars receive a quality education that will set them up for success for their present and future.

We all must be intentional modeling the behaviors that we want to see and with education being a major focus in my life, it is important for me to pave the way and lead by example not only in education, but in community as well making sure that our students also understand their civic responsibility and I am actively bridging the gap for our young people that will be charged with leading the way and running our schools, cities,states, country and government one day. I am currently working to complete my Doctorate Degree in Organizational Leadership and I want our youth to say if Mrs. Regina can do it, I can do it!

Written By Regina English

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My African American Miss Beauty Pageant 

“I started my pageant system to create a space for young black women to thrive in, and to use their crowns as a more prominent platform. Empowered women will empower women. As these young ladies succeed and learn how to be themselves, their self-esteem, boldness, and confidence grow. The Colorado America Pageant pushed me to embrace our culture like never before, to give us hope and inspiration, and the show us that the sport of pageantry is a sport that we can compete in while representing who we are with grace, class, and integrity.”

What do you think are the greatest needs for young black women?

1. Have a strong prayer life first and foremost. I believe that prayer is essential. I am
   firm in my faith and I pray every day and prayer changes things.
2. Don’t let anyone else write your story, you write your own story. My non-profit is called Be You. My logo translates from a book to a crown which means be authentically who you are and tell your own story and know that you’re royalty. Nobody has to say to you that you’re royalty, especially when you know that you’re a child of the king .
3. Gravitate to positive energy and find a strong mentor that can give you direction, a strong woman that they can model after. A lot of youth and young women look to me as a mentor; however, I have a mentor myself who is Dr. Regina Lewis. The things that she pours into me, I’m able to pour into the youth. She is one of our strong black women in this community. We have to guard our energy and be mindful of what we allow people to deposit into our spirit because it sets the tone.
4.  Use your voice to advocate for the change that they would like to see in your
   community. Do not let anyone mute your voice. A lot of people dismiss me before they even get to know me personally. When I walk in a room with a pair of skinny jeans and stilettos, some people get offended and insecure and push me away. I used to tell myself, and I don’t fit in, I’m not going to say anything. But when I began to create my own space to advocate for the change that I wanted to see, that’s when I was able to really empower others to do the same thing. When you create your space, nobody gets to tell you that you don’t fit. It’s your space and you’ve created it.
5. Your voice truly matters. All of us have things that we need to be heard about. It’s essential for us to be present as a black community because when you are not present, you lose your ability to impact your community.

Interview by the Editor In Chief, Brandon Bornes