The 2022 Mr. and Mrs. Community Pageant brought the community together for a night of celebration and performance. The Pageant, produced by Regine Dynasty, featured six competitors and an array of judges: Vitina Pleasant, Iyona Black, Domonique Stephens, Melvina Fo’ifua, Sophia Luchianni and the host of We Live In Color Deaunte Damper. 

It was the first edition of the pageant in two years, after the pandemic put a hold on the proceedings. Initially created by La Saveona Hunt, who recently passed away, this year’s pageant honored her legacy.

“This was her fundraiser event that she did when she was Nubian pride queen,” Regine said. “She wanted to create a pageant that represented the community, so it has always had different looks and been multifaceted.”

This years event was the product of community support and a true desire from Regine to “bring the positivity back to pageantry.”

“You get a lot of people who want the grandeur of winning without realizing the underlying aspect of it is training you to deal with life,”  Regine said. “There's so many talented people out here that won't step on the pageant floor because they don't want to be involved in the negative space that some pageants can hold. So my goal is to reclaim pageantry and make it a good thing again.”

Urging that talent to come back to the pageant floor is a mission for Regine. She says that being able to share and celebrate the life inside of each individual is a critical part of building a cohesive and joyful community.

“Our whole goal is to build up our brothers and sisters,” Regine said.

Part of the buildup is including more individuals. New this year was the MX category, for those who identify as gender fluid. Regine was proud to see multiple entries in the space.

 “That really made me smile, because I'm like, man, this need is really out here,” Regine said.

Deaunte Damper agrees. He said being part of the pageant was an honor and something that he hopes continues to grow.

“It was one of the best experiences ever,” Damper said. “We are all community. Watching us in our livelihoods supporting one another has been one of many gifts that I've received this year.”

The event was hosted at the newly opened Sankofa Theatre, who’s owner donated the space for the pageant. It was a perfect space for the night, providing the framework for the proceedings. The rest of the night was equally community-centric. Music was provided by a DJ close to Regine, and other people stepped up throughout the process.

“This was the first time I didn’t have to do everything alone,” Regine said. “In the community we have so many creative individuals, so many activists and people who just want to see the community grow and end the divide.”

That support was important because Regine almost quit hosting the pageant prior to this edition. She said after a difficult four years, it became too much of a burden and was taking a toll on her mental health. It was at that point that La Saveona Hunt stepped in.

“She was one of the first people I told,” Regine said. She was like, ‘No, you're not gonna give up on Nubian [Pride Pageant, which Regine also puts on], you are gonna sit back, and you're gonna watch us take the reins, and you can see how your vision will flourish, with your formers behind you.”

That flourishing is exactly what happened. Regine was able to see the impact she brought to the community and got back into hosting events. After La Saveona Hunt’s passing, the decision to take over her Mr. and Mrs. Community Pageant was easy.

“Putting this pageant together was about showing love to someone who showed me love from the jump,” Regine said. “She was supposed to take over my pageant, I wasn't supposed to take over hers. Sitting back and just thinking about it, I can do nothing but smile because I know she’s happy and saying ‘I know you could do it’.”

Next up for Regine is the Nubian Pride King and Queen Pageant, as well as the Evergreen Pageant in the spring.

Following that, Regine Dynasty will be defending her title in the Miss Premiere International Pageant.

If you want more information or to follow along, follow @dennisregine on Instagram