Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, my family moved frequently due to my father’s corporate career. More often than not, my siblings and I were the only Black students in our classrooms, and in high school, I was the only one in my class.
Though I didn’t have the words for it then, I became accustomed to microaggressions, isolation, and the challenge of being the “only.” I found solace in a small but powerful community—other Black kids from neighboring towns whose fathers also worked in corporate settings. Our weekend basement parties became a safe refuge where we could simply be ourselves.
At 20 years old, I was once again thrust into being the “only,” this time as a newly disabled person navigating a world that often overlooked people like me. I rarely encountered others in the disability community who looked like me—until I met Ralph Shelman. Ralph, a blind Black man and founder of the Peninsula Center for Independent Living in Newport News, Virginia, hired me as a counselor and introduced me to other Black disability leaders. Through them, I found a sense of grounding, empowerment, and pride.
Throughout my career, I’ve seen how the disability rights movement has often overlooked the unique struggles of Black disabled individuals. However, as I’ve deepened my knowledge and embraced my own identity, I’ve come to recognize the immense contributions of Black people with disabilities—especially Black women—who have shaped our world in powerful ways.
This Black History Month, I am proud to honor six Black women with disabilities whose leadership and advocacy continue to inspire change:
Claudia Gordon
Disability: Deafness
Impact: The first Deaf Black woman to become an attorney in the U.S., Claudia Gordon served in the Obama administration as Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. A lifelong disability rights advocate, she has worked extensively to advance disability inclusion in federal policy.
Harriet Tubman (1822–1913)
Disability: Traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, and narcolepsy
Impact: Beyond her role as a conductor of the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman was a military strategist and advisor to abolitionist leaders and the Union Army. Later in life, she became an advocate for veterans’ rights and women’s suffrage.
Fannie Lou Hamer (1917–1977)
Disability: Polio, forced sterilization, and injuries from police brutality
Impact: A fearless civil rights leader, Fannie Lou Hamer co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, challenging racial exclusion in politics. She ran for Congress and was a key figure in the fight for voting rights and social justice.
Ayanna Pressley (b. 1974)
Disability: Alopecia (an autoimmune condition causing hair loss)
Impact: As a U.S. Congresswoman, Ayanna Pressley has openly discussed her experience with alopecia, linking it to broader disability justice and healthcare access. She is a champion for racial equity, disability rights, and economic justice.
Yolanda Thompson
Disability: Multiple disabilities, including chronic illness
Impact: A dedicated disability rights advocate and policy expert, Yolanda Thompson has worked on Capitol Hill advising legislators on disability and social justice issues, particularly within Black communities.
Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo
Disability: Spinal Cord Injury
Impact: As the Global Disability Advisor at the World Bank, Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo ensures that the organization’s policies and programs are inclusive of people with disabilities worldwide. Previously, she was appointed by President Obama as USAID’s Coordinator for Disability and Inclusive Development.
As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s continue to uplift the voices of Black disabled women who have shaped policy, fought for justice, and redefined what leadership looks like. My commitment to disability inclusion remains unwavering, and I will always work to ensure Black and brown voices are heard.
Who are the Black disabled leaders that have inspired you? Let’s keep this conversation going.
