Dudley's Place Drag Brunch Raises Over $100K for HIV Services

Charlotte's LGBTQ+ community comes together to support essential programs through a popular ongoing fundraiser.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:27pm

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A brightly colored, abstract silkscreen print composed of a repeating pattern of a stylized drag queen's wig in shades of pink, purple, and blue, conceptually representing the energy and community spirit behind the Dudley's Place drag brunch fundraisers.The vibrant drag performances at Dudley's Place fundraisers have become a symbol of the Charlotte LGBTQ+ community's commitment to supporting those affected by HIV.Charlotte Today

Dudley's Place, a Charlotte-based organization serving people living with and affected by HIV, has raised over $100,000 through its recurring drag brunch events. The drag brunches, which started in 2022 as a holiday food drive, have grown into a steady community-supported fundraiser that directs 100% of proceeds to client services including food assistance, mental health support, and HIV prevention programs.

Why it matters

The Dudley's Place drag brunches demonstrate the power of the LGBTQ+ community in Charlotte to rally around an important cause and provide direct, tangible support to those in need. In a city with high HIV rates, these events have become a vital lifeline for the organization's clients, showcasing how grassroots community efforts can make a meaningful difference.

The details

What started as a single holiday event in 2022 has blossomed into an ongoing series of sold-out drag brunches at Charlotte's NoDa neighborhood restaurant The Degenerate. Led by the Dudley's Divas performers, including Dale Pierce's charity persona Mink Shoals, the events feature rotating guest performers, local DJs, and a 1970s 'Disco & Divas' theme. Ticket sales, tips, and donations from each brunch go directly to Dudley's Place programs, which provide food assistance, mental health support, HIV/STI testing, and other essential services to over 1,500 clients in the Charlotte area.

  • The drag brunch series began in December 2022 as a holiday food drive.
  • In 2024, the events paused briefly while organizers found a new venue at The Degenerate in NoDa.
  • The series resumed around World AIDS Day 2024 and has continued with strong attendance, including the most recent March 29, 2026 event.

The players

Dudley's Place

A Charlotte-based nonprofit organization that serves more than 1,500 individuals living with HIV or enrolled in prevention services, providing food assistance, mental health support, and other essential programs.

Dudley's Divas

The core cast of drag performers, including Dale Pierce's charity persona Mink Shoals, Karen Affection, Nova Stella, and Lili Frost, who lead the drag brunch events.

The Degenerate

The NoDa neighborhood restaurant that has hosted the Dudley's Place drag brunch series since 2024.

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What’s next

Dudley's Place plans to continue the popular drag brunch series, with upcoming events scheduled throughout 2026 to support their vital programs for the Charlotte LGBTQ+ community.

The takeaway

The Dudley's Place drag brunches demonstrate how a dedicated community can come together to directly support an important cause, with 100% of proceeds from these events going towards essential services for people living with and affected by HIV in Charlotte.