Kiah Duggins was a prominent civil rights attorney, a Fulbright scholar, and a Harvard-trained lawyer who dedicated her career to fighting for justice and reform. She worked at Civil Rights Corps, where she litigated against unconstitutional policing and money bail practices in Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, D.C.
Before joining CRC, she worked with the ACLU of Northern California and Neufeld, Scheck & Brustin LLP, focusing on cases of police misconduct and other injustices in the criminal legal system.
Beyond her legal career, Kiah was an aspiring law professor at Howard University, a Miss Kansas pageant finalist, and a proud Wichita native. She tragically lost her life in the January 2025 Washington, D.C., plane crash, which claimed the lives of 67 people.
In this article, we will explore Kiah Duggins’ biography, age, education, career, net worth, family, legacy, and lesser-known facts.
Kiah Duggins Short Details
Below is a brief summary of Kiah Duggins’ key personal and professional details:
| Full Name | Kiah Duggins |
|---|---|
| Pronouns | She/Her |
| Profession | Civil Rights Attorney, Scholar, Advocate |
| Hometown | Wichita, Kansas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 1994 |
| Age at Passing | 30 years (2025) |
| Education | Harvard Law School (J.D.), Wichita State University (Bachelors) |
| Fulbright Scholar | Taiwan |
| Workplaces | Civil Rights Corps, ACLU of Northern California, Neufeld, Scheck & Brustin LLP |
| Future Role | Incoming Law Professor at Howard University |
| Causes Advocated | Prison Abolition, Bail Reform, Criminal Justice Reform |
| Notable Publications | Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review, The Appeal, Harvard BlackLetter Law Journal |
| Pageant Accomplishments | Miss Butler County 2014 & 2015, Miss Kansas Finalist |
Early Life and Education
Wichita Roots and Early Education
- Kiah Duggins was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, and was a proud alumna of Wichita Public Schools.
- She attended Wichita State University, where she earned multiple bachelor’s degrees.
- During her undergraduate years, she was awarded a Fulbright grant and spent time in Taiwan.
Harvard Law School
- Kiah pursued her Juris Doctor (J.D.) at Harvard Law School, where she was actively involved in social justice initiatives.
- She served as the president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, a prestigious student-run legal aid organization.
- During her time at Harvard, she focused on abolitionist legal theories and movement lawyering, later applying these concepts in her legal career.
Legal Career and Advocacy Work
Civil Rights Litigation
- Kiah Duggins litigated against unconstitutional policing and money bail practices across Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, D.C. at Civil Rights Corps.
- She worked on movement-based legal strategies, focusing on abolitionist approaches to the criminal legal system.
Work with ACLU and Other Organizations
- Before joining Civil Rights Corps, she worked with the ACLU of Northern California and Neufeld, Scheck & Brustin LLP, tackling police misconduct cases and criminal justice reform.
- She was a Law 4 Black Lives Fellow, where she explored prison abolition and human rights advocacy.
Publications and Thought Leadership
Kiah’s work extended beyond the courtroom—she was a published legal scholar and public speaker. Some of her notable articles include:
- Abolition and International Human Rights: Taiwan’s Affirmation of Black American Abolitionist Movements (Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review)
- U.S. Police Dogs Originated From Slavery—And Must Be Abolished (The Appeal)
- Debating Bail Reform (Tangle News)
- Belinda (Say Her Name) (Harvard BlackLetter Law Journal)
Future at Howard University
- In 2025, Kiah was preparing to join Howard University as a law professor, aiming to inspire the next generation of legal scholars and civil rights advocates.
Family and Personal Life
Kiah was deeply connected to her family, friends, and community. She had recently traveled to Wichita to support her mother during surgery and was returning home to Washington, D.C. at the time of the tragic plane crash.
| Family Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Mother | Wichita-based, recovering from surgery |
| Siblings | Not publicly disclosed |
| Marital Status | Not married |
Interests and Hobbies
- Kiah loved international travel, having spent time in Taiwan as a Fulbright scholar.
- She enjoyed dancing and had a passion for hearing about people’s daily magical moments.
- She was an active participant in beauty pageants, having won Miss Butler County 2014 & 2015 and placing in the top 10 at Miss Kansas.
Net Worth and Legacy
While Kiah’s financial earnings were not publicly disclosed, her greatest wealth lay in her impact on social justice, human rights, and legal reform.
Kiah Duggins Net Worth Estimate (2025)
| Source | Earnings |
|---|---|
| Legal Career | Estimated $100K–$200K annually |
| Fulbright Grant | Scholarship-based |
| Howard Law Professorship (Upcoming) | Estimated $150K per year |
| Publications & Speaking Engagements | Not publicly disclosed |
| Total Estimated Net Worth | $300K–$500K |
Despite her financial earnings, Kiah’s real legacy is her impact on civil rights, social justice, and legal scholarship.
Lesser-Known Facts About Kiah Duggins
- She was an advocate for abolitionist legal frameworks, seeking to end mass incarceration.
- She spoke multiple languages, including Mandarin Chinese, which she studied during her time in Taiwan.
- She was deeply connected to the Wichita community, often returning home to support local initiatives.
- She had a love for storytelling and public speaking, evident in her beauty pageant experience and legal career.
- She was selected for the prestigious Fulbright program, an honor given to top academic scholars worldwide.
- She had planned to teach law at Howard University, a historically Black institution with a strong legacy in civil rights.
- She enjoyed dancing and often used it as a way to connect with people from different cultures.
- She was a mentor to aspiring law students, guiding many through the Harvard admissions process.
- She had a strong belief in community healing and often promoted restorative justice over punitive measures.
- She passed away while returning from a family visit, emphasizing her deep commitment to loved ones.
FAQs About Kiah Duggins
1. What was Kiah Duggins’ profession?
- She was a civil rights attorney and advocate, known for her work in criminal justice reform.
2. What was Kiah Duggins’ age when she passed away?
- She was 30 years old at the time of the January 2025 plane crash.
3. What organizations did Kiah work for?
- Civil Rights Corps, ACLU of Northern California, and Neufeld, Scheck & Brustin LLP.
4. What was Kiah Duggins’ educational background?
- She earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School and bachelor’s degrees from Wichita State University.
5. What happened to Kiah Duggins?
- She was one of the 67 victims of the Washington, D.C., plane crash on January 29, 2025.
6. What was Kiah’s role at Howard University?
- She was preparing to join Howard Law School as a professor.
Conclusion
Kiah Duggins’ legacy lives on through her work in civil rights, criminal justice reform, and legal scholarship. Though her life was tragically cut short, her impact will continue to inspire generations of activists, lawyers, and scholars.
“NOTE: This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to verify details independently from reliable sources.”
