Dakota - 2025
SouthEast Bootblack
Dakota:
Dakota has been in the community since February 2020. Immediately going into lockdown was not ideal, but it helped her find her love of bootlicking. Once things opened back up, she finally got to experience the community first hand. Having a community of people helped her come out of her shell and discover herself.
In her day to day life, Dakota raises awareness for her disability through many ways. She strives to find ways to make the world a bit more accessible for those with disabilities. This has also spilled into how she interacts with the Leather and Kink community. She loves to see others get to enjoy sitting in the stand for the first time, and helping other disabled bootblacks find ways to continue to black while having difficulties. She co-hosts a class/discussion with her husband dealing with a disability in the Leather and kink communities.
Dakota is a Little, brat, and service sub. She has been with her husband and Dominant, Max, since 2020 when he introduced her to the world of Leather and Kink. She loves helping others and continues to encourage newcomers to show up and find their people. Dakota competed for, and won, the North Carolina Bootblack contest in 2023.
Calendar of Events
July 18-20, 2025 - Tarheel Stars and Stripes run https://tarheelleatherclub.org/
July 2025 Column
Two years ago I decided to run for SouthEast Bootblack. I built up my kit, learned so many new techniques, researched my platform, delved back into our history, challenged my creativity with fantasy ideas, tried on so many outfits, paced around the house saying my speech.
Then came SELF 2024. I had so much fun! I loved my whole contestant family, and it was so much fun running against Keriis. I did my tech boot, met all the judges, conditioned my first corset on someone (that was hot…), struggled through my presentation, talked to so many new people, dealt with multiple fire alarms on stage…and then came the results. Keriis was chosen as SouthEast Bootblack 2024. There were complicated feelings, but I was so proud of how hard he worked the whole weekend and he was rightfully chosen. He is a damn good bootblack.
After the contest was all over, I stood waiting to congratulate the new title class. Several people came to me to tell me that I made them feel seen and heard. At that moment, those complicated feelings left. While I may not have done my best that weekend, I did exactly what I set out to do. I wanted to help bring a voice to our disabled members, and that happened.
Now I wasn’t going to run again so soon. I wanted to pass a goal that I set for myself before I ran a second time, but multiple people approached me and encouraged me to run again. They helped me see that the “goal” I set was impossible to meet. And that instead, showed me that I didn’t need to surpass a goal, I just needed to be confident in myself again.
And so I worked on everything for SELF 2025. Went back to my roots, relearned history, practiced techniques more, did so much more research, tried on even more outfits, spent weeks getting my formals done.
This year….wow. I didn’t think I could top how much fun and memorable last year was, but I was so wrong. I was able to sit and listen to so many peoples stories while in the stand, my accessible bootblack stand (built for me by my partner, Max) was used multiple times, I was able to get through my speech and pop question with no fire alarms lol, watched our sister club Talon Clan get their patch put on the Leather Quilt, connected with even more people, had the pleasure of participating in a Covering and 2 Presentation of Boots, and even received my girls cap in one memorable Fantasy performance.
I could not have done any of this without all of you. Every single person that I have talked to, every single line of encouragement, I carry everything with me. Even if you think you haven’t had an impact on my journey, you have. Thank you.
Thank you to Dawn for dealing with my questions and schedule changes. You keep us all on schedule and are such a pleasure to work with.
Thank you to Dave, Jack, Country, Happy Puppy, Mama Tori, Mycalyne, Randi, Tidbit, and every single SELF Staff member, volunteer, and board member. You all make SELF happen and I bow down to you. Thank you for welcoming us home every year.
Thank you to our judges Spankcake, Duke, Mufassa, Marilyn, Dominion, and Celina. I enjoyed all of our conversations. It was an honor to have you as our judges. I can’t wait to see y’all more on the road!
Thank you to the Technical Judges Daisy Blue, Lucian, and Sorin. There is just too much to say…I love you all. You all are amazing bootblacks and it was an honor to have my boot judged by you. Thank you for all for seeing me.
Keriis, your support this weekend was very much appreciated. I really did love having you by my side again. Thank you for everything.
Thank you Lady Catherine. I have too much to say, but I am very thankful to have you with me this year and years after. I look forward to being part of the SELF family and thank you for welcoming me with open arms.
To Unsupervised Chaos…I never thought I would find a group of people that felt like home. You all are amazing beautiful souls, and I am so thankful to know you all. I wish we all lived closer. Tommie, Scarlett, Phillip, Thomas, Mycalyne, Andrew, Tidbit, Bettie, Daisy, Max: I love you<3
Thank you to Talon Clan and tarheel Leather Club for all of your support.
Thank you to Max. You not only brought me into the community, but you are the reason why I am a bootblack. You have pushed me through the years into the person I am today. You saw my potential and knew I needed a little kick in the rear to grow. Thank you for everything. I literally could not have done any of this without you.
As for this next year, well thats already started. The accessible bootblack stand prototype is being shared with some people so we can collectively improve upon it. I am already connecting with people to help improve accessibility at several events. And I plan on continuing to listen to our community members to see what more can be improved.
Remember, one small act can create big waves. I encourage everyone to see what you can do in your local community to help include our disabled members. Ramps, closed captioning, adaptive dungeon equipment, high contrast signs, low sensory events, attending/holding classes that normalize playing with disabled bodies. 1 accessible bootblack stand inspired 4 more. I had one conversation with one person, and they are now joining an event as their accessibility liaison. We can all make a difference.
Leather means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.
Oct 2025 Column
It has been a whirlwind of the past 3 1/2 months. The very first event I had was Raleigh, NC Pride the first weekend after SELF. That is one BIG pride! That very same night, I came home to the Tarheel Leather Club bar night with Sir Andrew and girlBettie. I could not have asked for a better welcome home.
I started July by attending a conference for my own illness, Hereditary Angioedema. I mention this because this conference, this illness, is the reason why I started advocating over a decade ago. I designed the awareness ribbon specific to HAE, and we use that to help others. We donate to charities that help patients get medications, help others set up fundraisers for their own medical bills, or even just lend an ear because I know how frustrating it is to have this illness. This is what I carry over to the Leather community. The advocacy that started a decade ago has helped me learn how to help the community in the way I can, shown me that one tiny thing can have a massive impact, and taught me that anyone can make a difference.
The week after that was the Tarheel Stars and Stripes run, with the North Carolina Bootblack contest! There was so much chaos and shenanigans. The 2025 SELF fam did get voted best cocktail party…just sayin ;) And I am pleased to announce that in 2026 it will now be the Carolinas Bootblack contest! Now open to BOTH North and South Carolina!
The following 4 weekends were spent traveling with the 2025 NC Bootblack, Lady Abrams, and 2024 NC Bootblack, Puddles, as we went to all the bar nights in North Carolina. We went to Onyx Carolinas, Tradesmen, Red Lions, and Tarheel Leather Club bar nights. Being able to share my title year with them is extra special for me. I’ve watched them grow through the years, and they have done the same for me.
After taking a few weeks to rest and work on things at home, I was able to attend Midwest Leather Kink Alliance! This was my very first event outside of the SouthEast, and I loved learning how different but very alike we are. All the conversations, laughter, support…Thank you Midwest for welcoming me with love. I very much felt it.
In between all of this, Max and I have been working on trying to get the blueprints out for the Accessible Bootblack stand prototype. There have been some improvements made already. Thank you to EVERYONE who gave feedback as someone sitting in the stand AND as a Bootblack. This is a project that cannot be done without all of your help. No stand would be accessible without all of our voices.
At MWLKA, I was both shocked and exploding with happiness at how many people want one for their local community or have made one themselves. I spoke to one person who has to be physically lifted up into and out of a traditional bootblack stand. When I told them of the Accessible stand, tears formed in their eyes. That. That is why. That is exactly why the blueprints will be FREE. That is why I have the platform I do. I know how it feels to be left out. I know how much it means to be intentionally included.
As always, I encourage you all to see what can be done to intentionally include our disabled community members. Something as simple as having closed captioning, removing strobe lights, extra seating, or having high contrast signs helps. Or even just having a conversation. We aren’t scary, I promise…..unless you want us to be ;)
Leather means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.
Dec 2025 Column
Starting in October, I have taken time to stay closer to home and focus on resting. The exception was being able to head to Chicago to see the Leather Archives and Museum. Unbeknownst to us, the Chicago Hellfire was premiering their installation the first day we visited. The power of not only seeing everything for the first time, but to also be surrounded by dozens of Hellfire members and associates was overwhelming. While I didn’t get to really see everything I wanted to, I think I enjoyed talking to everyone and hearing all the stories just a little more. It made everything come alive again….still. The class by Raea the next day was amazing, and getting to have dinner with Master Leather Redux and Raea after was the perfect ending to the trip. I wish I had more time there, but I cannot wait to go back!
While I have absolutely loved traveling, meeting everyone and seeing and doing all of the things, it has been important that I take time to stay closer to home so I can properly take care of my physical and mental health. Being disabled makes things a little more complicated, as I know I need to maintain routines and take medications at specific times so I can pour back into the community just as much as the community has poured into me. I have also very much missed my friends and have enjoyed seeing them at the local bar nights.
4 months left until SELF 2026! I can’t believe how fast the time has gone. It feels like it has been forever since June, yet it feels like yesterday. I am looking forward to finding classes I want to attend, hanging out in the stands, and cheering on the incoming titleholders during the contest. If you have been thinking about going to SELF, it is a great time! I have learned so much every year, and enjoy reuniting with friends old and new.
And for now friends, I bid you a happy holidays and happy new year! I am going off to celebrate the holidays with my family and community. Take time to rest and rejuvenate!
Feb 2026 Column
Life has been life. I know I have been very quiet, and I appreciate your patience during this time. Winter has never been kind to this chronically ill girly.
Even though I have been quiet, I have still been working behind the scenes. The instructions for the Accessible Bootblack Stand have finally been posted! I am awed by the outpour of love and support for the stand. I don’t know why I didn’t expect it, but it makes my heart happy to hear how many people want to make their local community and events more accessible and inclusive!
I did attend 2 events in January. The first was a trip back down to Georgia for the Love on the Quilt weekend. The first time I attended was last year, and it has become one of my absolute favorite events. I love giving back to the community, not only in helping take care of its history, but listening to the stories, sharing ones of my own, and also participating in the biggest skillshare I’ve personally seen. Thank you Leather Quilt Project for inviting all of us out to pour our love back into the Leather Quilt.
Oh, wow, Twisting Culture. I have to give kudos to Jack and all of the people working behind the scenes to get Twisting Culture over to a virtual event in 48 hours. That is not an easy thing to do, and it went amazingly! I loved being able to hang out with everyone over zoom. Both contestants did an amazing job. I know it couldn’t have been easy to switch everything to a video format.
As we come to a close on our title year, I am grateful for everyone who took the time for a chat. I carry all of those conversations with me. Just a few more months, a few more events, until we meet again in Atlanta.
March 2026 Column
How can you sum up a title year in a single post? I don’t think you can honestly. Its hard to describe the emotions that are ever changing and somehow simultaneously ever building.
To those who shared tears, laughter, knowledge….thank you. While I do not have the room to list you all, that connection is what keeps us all going. Even if it was a fleeting moment.
Little comments, little moments, those are important. It reminds us that community is just that, connection. Having a short conversation with someone on the elevator, offering tissues in the halls, or overhearing a question and offering the answer. All small moments of connection.
And sometimes a comment made 4ish years ago is the catalyst to start a project that helps the community at large. I am sorry that I do not remember your name, but to the woman in the wheelchair with the gorgeous black ankle cowboy boots and white stitching, thank you. You don’t know it, but you are the reason why I wanted to create an accessible bootblack stand. Because of you so many people have been able to sit in the stands.
The Accessible Bootblack Stand was a project that I had been working on for a few years, but with the community's help I was able to find out what needed to be changed to include the most amount of accessibility features. I have been blown away by the reception of it. Thank you to Max InLeather for helping me build and design the accessible stand. You have a big hand in this stand, and I won’t let you forget it.
To my “local” community that has kept checking in on me, Power Shine girls, Unsupervised Chaos, Tarheel Leather Club, and Talon Clan, thank you. A support system is important to have, especially if you are like me and forget to take a break, and I am thankful to have all of you.
My SouthEast family. The whole staff, I am amazed at what you all can get done. You are really the heart of SELF. Without you, we wouldn’t have a home to come to. Thank you for all of the hard work you put in through the year and at SELF.
To Amethyst glaze (Ms SELF ‘25), Sir Andrew (Mr SELF ‘24-’25), girlBettie (SE POL ‘25), Terrell (SELF Boy ‘25), and Master Aaron and slave jenny (SE Master/slave ‘24-‘25). I am so grateful to be part of this family with you. We have had so much fun at events this year and I can’t wait to continue the chaos in future events ;)
Lady Catherine. It has been an absolute pleasure to have you by my side. Your support has been invaluable. I cannot even begin to list everything I am thankful for, so I am just going to say thank you for everything.
The main feeling for this whole year has been grateful. I am genuinely so thankful to have met every single person that I have, to have all of the conversations, to see how welcome the stand is. Grateful isn’t fully the right word but it is the closest word I have to describe the feeling of loving humans so much, loving how wired we are for connection, loving how we somehow always dissolve into neighbor helping neighbor, and being able to participate in it.
I love watching for these moments. Someone holding the elevator door when you are slightly too far away. The person running across the event space to help unload something heavy. The bootblack that gives you a piece of their kit just because. The random person answering a question you didn't even know anyone heard. Or even when a class turns into an impromptu support session.
We care for each other. And I am so happy to have been surrounded by these moments, and honored to be part of them too.
So how do you sum up a title year when the entire title year was your favorite part? You can’t. You end up sitting in front of your computer with your cup of chocolate milk and tearing up at all the memories.
Leather means Family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.