Ragina Scott Saunders is a descendant of the enslaved African-Americans brought to Charleston, South Carolina for farming and other skills and labor before the Civil War, making her not only a Charleston native but also a Gullah Geechee girl. She and her younger sister, who lives in Florida, were raised single handedly by their mother who was a cook at a national seafood restaurant chain.
Growing up with modest means, Ragina and her extended family often pooled resources together sharing housing, beds, clothes and food to supply the needs of each family. It was this upbringing that taught Ragina to be grateful for everything, and celebrate the small things. Ragina admitted that at one point they lived in a hotel and saw her parents live in their family garage until they got back on their feet. Prayer has always been a daily routine in her household. When asked, Ragina says they lived on faith, hope and love.
During her pregnancy at 14, Ragina attended a special school for pregnant, unwed teenaged mothers but with the help of her family she was able to graduate from James Island High School on time. Ragina giggled when she told us, “I always say my grandmother raised me and my son together. The responsibilities as a young mother instilled a passion for me to advocate for teen pregnancy prevention.”
From age 16 until after high school Ragina worked various jobs. In her early twenties she acquired a certificate in Business Computer Software from Trident Technical College and worked for Neilson Electronics Truck Driving School in the Human Resources Department for several years.
It was during her Human Resources term that Ragina learned to assist people and help them get work. Her position offered job skills training such as resume writing, encouragement within the classes and workshops. It was those acquired people skills that landed Ragina an independent sales position at T-Mobile (formally SunCom) and ultimately was given her own store by the franchise owner. Ragina, now a small business owner, owned and ran her store for several years and utilized her facility to offer events, field trips, classes and workshops after hours. Many of these events were catered by her and her family. The community loved the food and always commented that they should open a restaurant.
On January 20, 2009 Ragina and her family held a special city wide free event for those who were not able to travel to Washington DC to celebrate the Inauguration of the first African-American President of the United States, Barack Obama. Despite unseasonable weather of huge hail that day over 300 people of all ages, races and genders attended and enjoyed a hearty, hot meal. In attendance was also local area homeless and guest speakers Obama Fellow, David Redding from Florida, Phil Nobel, member of Obama’s Statewide Steering Committee and Mayor Pro Temp, Samuel L. Hart, one of the first black councilmen on the North Charleston City Council. Prior to the event, there was a special press conference held with Phil Nobel on behalf of the President. Donations were also accepted to benefit the work of the Lowcountry Food Bank.
Due to economic changes and challenges in the industry, Ragina sold her T-Mobile store to another owner and in the late 1990’s she and her family opened a restaurant downtown which stayed profitable until the hot water heater flooded the building. The family then took the loss and although they never made any money, began catering from their home kitchen for other family members, families and persons in need dealing with tragedy, and box lunches for nearby workers. Eventually they were requested to cater festivals, schools and events around the Lowcountry area and even donated food and services to help uplift the community.
While preparing box lunches and meals for the community Ragina dreamed of expanding, and offering sit down table meals to anyone regardless of means, and with family support and volunteers opened Scott’s Grand Reception and Corporate Center. The mission is to maintain good old fashioned hospitality; making sure reunions, learning, and face-to-face networking have a place to flourish.
In keeping with the traditions of her Gullah ancestors, she dedicates Scott’s Grand to those who have paved the way.
Scott’s Grand seats approximately 200 people and is used often for weddings, workshops, and classes much like Ragina offered at her T-Mobile facility, but with more space and resources available to her clients. As well, Scott’s Grand holds Ragina’s brainchild, Destiny Community Café.
After Ragina witnessed many people eating from dumpsters and trash cans near her Scott’s Grand’s location and after encountering people in crisis with no means to obtain food, she began to research for a better ways to provide services to people in need throughout her local community. Ragina came to discover One World Everybody Eats, a national community of community cafés working to increase food security for all by providing a local approach to the global issue of hunger through the pay-what-you-can nonprofit restaurant model. Ragina shared her story with the organization and was approved to become a member.
It was there she found that American singer/songwriter Jon Bon Jovi was a part of that organization and personally owns two pay-what-you-can cafes in New Jersey. Able to make a trip to New Jersey with her family, Ragina was able to visit one of Jon’s café’s, meet him in person and got some great advise on the outlook of producing the type of community cafe she envisioned for her community.
She was also pleasantly surprised upon approaching the entrance of his café to see two steppingstones bearing the words “faith” and “hope.” This was the confirmation sign Ragina needed to pursue her destiny and move forward with her pay-what-you-can café. Destiny Community Café, a pay-what-you-can café, came fully into existence in 2015 and is the only pay-what-you can-café in the state of South Carolina.
Since opening Destiny, Ragina has received several Awards: The Everyday Hero Award for community service from News Channel Two, and The Jefferson Award from ABC News 4 in Charleston. The Jefferson Awards Foundation is the country’s longest standing and most prestigious organization dedicated to activating and celebrating public service. Local winners are ordinary people who do extraordinary things without expectation of recognition. Ragina has also received several other local community awards from other community organizations.
Ragina and her Destiny’s Café is a prime example of a passionately driven desire to make an unstoppable difference in her community. Run strictly by volunteers and on donations, Ragina appreciates organic foods from local farmers, markets, and cash donations. Cleaning products as listed on her website can be donated as well.
Celebrating her birthday on Valentine’s Day, Ragina has always been in love with love. She believes in spreading love, faith, and hope sharing it with others through any means possible. For her it is through giving and sharing whatever she has with others. From a child sharing her room with five cousins, to offering a venue to her community through her T-Mobile store, to making meals for families who’ve lost their homes in a disaster, to feeding anyone who needs a hot meal, Ragina has always had a heart to share and give. That heart, love and compassion shines bright and is clearly visible when you volunteer, donate or walk through the doors of Destiny Community Café.