The tragic American Airlines plane crash that occurred on January 29 has left a deep void in the legal and academic communities, as one of the victims has been identified as Kiah Duggins, a civil rights attorney and soon-to-be professor at Howard University School of Law.
Among those mourning her loss is Tina Knowles, the mother of global superstar Beyoncé, who took to Instagram to express her sorrow. Sharing a photo of Duggins, Knowles wrote, “So very saddened by the loss of this beautiful, accomplished young woman. Rest in peace. To her family, sending condolences and love to you. God bless your soul, Kiah.”
Duggins, who was set to join Howard Law’s faculty this fall, had already built a remarkable career in civil rights law. She earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School and dedicated her legal practice to challenging unconstitutional policing and unjust bail systems in Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, D.C. She worked as a litigator for the Civil Rights Corps and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California, earning recognition for her advocacy in social justice.
Howard University confirmed her passing in a heartfelt LinkedIn post, stating, “As a civil rights lawyer, she dedicated her career to fighting against unconstitutional policing and unjust money bail practices.”
Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Duggins was an alumna of Wichita State University and Wichita East High School. Beyond her legal career, she had a passion for pageantry, competing in the Miss Kansas Pageant in both 2014 and 2015, where she reached the top 10 as Miss Butler County. Her former pageant director, Larry Strong, remembered her as a dedicated and ambitious young woman.
Duggins was among the 67 people aboard American Eagle Flight 5342, which collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter before plunging into the Potomac River near Washington, D.C.. Officials, including D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly, have stated that all 67 people are presumed dead, as recovery efforts continue.
The flight also carried 14 figure skaters, coaches, and family members, including six skaters from The Skating Club of Boston, a facility where two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan once trained. Kerrigan, devastated by the loss, shared her grief in an emotional statement, saying, “When you find out you know some of the people on the plane, it’s an even bigger blow. We’ve been through tragedies before, and we are strong, but it doesn’t make it any easier.”
As tributes continue to pour in, Duggins’ impact on the legal world remains undeniable. Her dedication to justice, equality, and advocacy serves as an inspiration for future generations. While her life was cut tragically short, her work and legacy will live on in the communities she fought to uplift.
