REGINE BELL
Little Haiti’s Lifetime Queen & founder of EMPAK.
P
ageant Platform Magazine sat down with
Regine Bell, Little Haiti’s Lifetime Queen and
the Founder of EMPAK. Regine shared her story
and offered some very inspiring tips to pageant
contestants.
PPM: Tell our Readers a little bit about you and
how you got started in your Business.
RB: I have practiced martial arts for a little over 30
years. I am the first Haitian-American female Nisei
Martial Artist in the world. I was able to apply the
discipline that was taught to me from a young age
into different areas of my life. I am pursuing my
doctoral degree in the field of education. I am a
firm believer that education is the key to one’s
success. Therefore, I started a non-profit
organization whose mission is to make an impact
by transforming lives and motivating people to
become the best versions of themselves.
When I initially founded the non-profit
organization, its name was K.A.R.A.T.E. The
acronym stood for Kids Applying Real Action
Towards Education. It was my vision, purpose,
and passion combined all into one. After earning
several degrees and making an impact in my
community as an influencer, the name of the
organization was changed to E.M.P.A.K
(Empowering Minority Parents and Kids).
PPM: How did you get started with pageants?
RB: I was dealing with the tragic death of my
sister, Cindy Daniel. She was picked up (Baker-
Acted) by local law enforcement and brought to a
behavioral center. While she was at the Behavioral
Center, whatever medication they gave her to
sedate her killed her.
During my moment of bereavement, I was up
praying one night, and I asked God to order my
steps.
An acquaintance of mine suggested that I turn my
pain into purpose. I was convinced that I would be
able to use my platform to raise awareness on the
issues of mental health in the community in which
my sister and I once lived.
PPM: What was your platform and how did you
choose it?
RB: My platform is mental health. As a radio/T.V.
personality, I interview mental health professionals
so that people in the communities of color, can be
informed of the mental health services that are
provided in the local area. Since mental health has
become a public crisis, my goal has become to
destigmatize mental health in communities of color.
The traumatic experience of my sister’s death was
how I learned to turn my pain into purpose. I’ve
earned a master’s degree, in Behavioral Science.
Applying everything that I’ve learned and giving
mental health professionals a platform in which
they’re able to reach over 14,000 individuals
between the ages of 18-35, has been a journey that
is worthwhile.
PPM: How did competing in pageants help you
with your business?
RB: My title attracts women that are looking for the
queen within themselves. I’ve been able to visit
students at schools, speak at conferences, hosts a
series of cultural events, and sit at the table with
elected officials. My platform has allowed me to
form partnerships with entities that are committed
to strengthening public health policies.
Pageant Platform Magazine Nov/Dec 2018
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