Celebrating Black Leaders Advocating for Disability Justice

Armani Williams

As the only NASCAR Craftsman truck driver known to have autism spectrum disorder, and the creator of the Race4Autism Foundation, Armani Williams is a leading figure in the drive towards disability inclusion. He recently had his best finish, placing 21st at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in Missouri. Off the track, Armani has partnered with companies committed to hiring people with autism and spoken at numerous autism-related organisations, all while completing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

Armani’s advice to first time drivers? “Remember that as long as you believe in yourself of your ability, you stay encouraged when things aren’t perfect, and you continue to work hard, then you can be successful in racing.”

You can read his full story here.

Find him on Instagram @armaniwilliamsracing.

Keah Brown

Keah Brown is a journalist, screenwriter, actress and author. She’s written for Netflix, Allure, Glamour and Instyle, and even delivered a TEDTalk. Born with cerebral palsy, Keah struggled to accept herself, but she chose joy, love, and ambition. As she said, “The more I think about it, the more I realise that 14-year-old me… would be so proud of the person I am becoming and the things I’ve been able to do.” Which is why she is so proud to share her journey of self-love and compassion with her community.

Her latest venture is the recently released young adult novel, The Secret Summer Paradise, which features #OwnVoices disability and queer representation.

Watch Keah tell her story here.

Find her on Instagram @keah_maria.

Imani Barbarin

If you’re in the know about activism and movement building, you may have come across Imani Barbarin. Her thoughtful, topical content has garnered thousands of likes, and made her a fan-favourite influencer and advocate, both online and IRL. Imani’s work explores the nuanced intersections of her experiences as a Black woman with cerebral palsy. She puts it best when she says, “I choose to accept and celebrate what I am, however fragile that acceptance might be.”

During the pandemic she got people talking about disability stigma during the pandemic using the hashtag #MyDisabledLifeIsWorthy. Her willingness to share her experiences paved the way for so many people. She is truly a leader for the ages!

 You can read her full story here.

Find her on Instagram: @crutches_and_spice.

Andraéa LaVant

If you’ve seen the film Crip Camp, then you know just how powerful Andraéa LaVant‘s work can be. As the Impact Producer for this Academy-Awarding winning documentary, Andraéa became the first Black woman with a visible disability to attend the Oscars.

When she’s not on the red carpet, Andraéa is the Founder and President of LaVant Consulting, a disability inclusion consultancy. Through her years of advocacy, Andraéa has been motivated by the belief that “we are much stronger and more likely to affect change when we come together as a community.”

You can read her full story here.

Find her on Instagram @andraealavant.

Sarah Jama

Sarah Jama is a community organizer turned politician extraordinaire. She is the co-founder of the Disability Justice Network of Ontario (DJNO), and recently became the first Somali woman elected to provincial office as the Hamilton Centre MPP. Her lived experience with cerebral palsy has informed her commitment to disability justice and fueled her passion for community engagement.

Sarah is a fearless leader who is unafraid to call out injustice and force the government and people to consider the implications of inequitable policies, especially when it comes to affordable housing and sustainable wages. The politician specifically takes issues with the barriers folks with disability face in securing adequate government support. “…NOBODY deserves poverty. We are all worth more than our productivity. Period”

You can learn more about Sarah’s daily fight for justice on Twitter.

Nathan Gaba 

"In my life, Black Leader Awareness Day represents the strength of unity. Thanks to the guidance and support of black leaders, I've been able to inspire and positively impact my community. My public speaking journey taught me the importance of advocacy and collective efforts. By listening to the stories of others and sharing my own, I've learned to outgrow the self-doubts of the past. The passion instilled in me by the leaders I had in my life reinforced my will, and it's incredible to see the leaders of my community shining brightly together." - Nathan Gaba, Senior Coordinator, Partnerships, Holland Bloorview Foundation