As February’s Black Disabled Futures Month concludes, we reflect on today’s Black disabled excellence and how they are shaping our future. In a climate often marked by setbacks, it’s crucial to amplify the resilience and innovation of Black disabled communities. This year, we interviewed four Black disabled people, exploring how their experiences and perspectives are driving a future where Black disabled lives are not only acknowledged but actively valued.
We encourage you to read, follow, and engage with their work on their respective social media platforms.
Who are Black disabled leaders from the past who have shaped your work today, and how?
“As a Black Disabled woman, I navigate the intersections of gender, race, and disability, facing unique challenges that can often feel isolating. Role models play a vital role in my life, offering guidance and hope for both the present and future. Two individuals who have profoundly influenced me are Dr. Sylvia Walker and my grandmother, Esther Pearl Simmons. Dr. Walker, who lost her vision as a teenager, went on to earn a doctorate in the Education of Disabled and Health-Impaired People. As a professor at Howard University, she became a trailblazing advocate for disability rights and was instrumental in founding the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), an organization that continues to carry forward her legacy of empowerment and inclusion.
“My grandmother, Esther Pearl Simmons, was another remarkable role model. Born in South Carolina in 1947, she left school after the fourth grade but refused to let that define her potential. She founded a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, an extraordinary accomplishment for a Black woman during her time. Her pioneering work earned her statewide recognition in Ohio and solidified her legacy as a compassionate leader and advocate. Both Dr. Walker and my grandmother have shaped my approach to advocacy and inspired me to continue combating ableism with determination and resilience, honoring their legacies in the process.”
– Dr. Jasmine Simmons
Dr. Jasmine Simmons is a Deafblind audiologist, advocate, author, traveler and accessibility consultant. Follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn and check out her children’s book, Extraordinary Jordyn and her Bionic Ears!
How are Black disabled people today making history?
“Black disabled people are making history every day by breaking barriers across industries, from technology and business to politics and the arts. Innovators are driving advancements in disability tech, improving accessibility, and shaping inclusive policies that impact millions. Activists are leading the charge in disability rights, ensuring Black disabled voices are central to conversations about equity and justice. Entrepreneurs are building businesses that challenge systemic exclusion, proving that disability is not a limitation but a unique perspective that fuels innovation.
“As a Black disabled innovator, I have pioneered a new era of blind assistive technology using emerging tech innovations like Brain-Computer Interface (BCI). My invention, Think and Zoom, Think and Read, and Think Game, introduces Brain Control for Blind Assistive Technology, enabling users to enhance vision, augment reading and enjoy gaming through brainwave detection. Prior to this work, my role as a STEM mentor and global speaker to hundreds of students, earned me a U.S. Presidential Service Award.
“Additionally, I have had the privilege of speaking at the United Nations and advocating for disability rights at the U.S. Congress. Currently, as a biotech startup founder and entrepreneur-in-residence, I mentor and advise startup founders with a disability who work on accessibility and inclusive technology solutions.
“Through leadership, advocacy, and groundbreaking achievements, Black disabled professionals are rewriting narratives and redefining what’s possible. Their work ensures that future generations inherit a world where accessibility, diversity, and inclusion are not afterthoughts but essential pillars of progress.”
– Zuby Onwuta
Zuby Onwuta is a Harvard-MIT trained innovator, US Army veteran, and the Founder and CEO of Think and Zoom. He is also the patented inventor of Brain Control for Blind Tech. Follow him on LinkedIn and watch his TEDx Talk about disability barriers and innovation.
Why is it important to center disability today during Black History Month?
“It’s important to center disability during Black History Month because the experiences of Black disabled individuals have often been overlooked in both racial justice and disability rights movements.
“Historically, figures like Harriet Tubman, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Brad Lomax were not only key leaders in Black liberation but also lived with disabilities and that shaped their activism. Yet their contributions are rarely discussed through this lens. Acknowledging disability within Black history ensures a more complete narrative, recognising the ways systemic racism and ableism intersect to shape the lives of Black disabled people today.
“By putting disability at the forefront, we’re making sure Black disabled voices are heard, seen, and valued. Black disabled folks face unique struggles, from healthcare discrimination to lack of accessibility in our own communities. If we’re talking about liberation, we can’t leave anyone behind. Black history is disability history, and it’s time we recognise that.
“By highlighting these experiences this month , we can create space for necessary conversations. Centering disability during Black History Month challenges us to build a more inclusive future one where all Black lives, regardless of ability, are valued and celebrated. And we truly need this now more than ever!”
– Roxy Murray
Roxy Murray, also known as The Multiple Sclerosis Fashionista, is a UK-based stylist, model, and dynamic advocate for radical inclusivity. They are the founder and host of The Sick and Sickening Podcast and was recognized as one of BBC’s 100 Women List of 2024. Follow her on Instagram and listen to her podcast.
What is something tangible people can do to support Black disabled people and their futures?
“Something tangible people can do to support Black disabled people and their futures is by listening with not only their ears but with their hearts. When we truly listen from our hearts, we start to naturally be more compassionate. When you listen with only your ears, you may not fully understand what someone is saying to you and might let your internal biases sneak in. Nothing is inherently wrong in having an internal bias, but when someone needs your support you need to be able to support them, how they need to be supported, instead of making assumptions about the type of support they need.
“Black disabled people have different intersectional oppressions that can impact their present and their future in many ways. It is important to recognize that community is important, and a very tangible way of supporting people’s lives. Community for Disabled folks and Black folks is crucial for survival, by having places and resources, where people can feel supported and feel like there is hope, and frankly to know that they are not alone is critical.
“Folks with disabilities who are also Black are more prone to discrimination due to these factors, and it can feel very isolating, therefore there must be places, spaces, and things in place for people to know they are people who care about them and their futures, and that tomorrow will be a better day, especially in times like this when it seems like we are going back in time, we need pockets of community and coming together sharing our resources, and our connections not just for our present reality but to sustain us into our futures, and our future generations future.”
– Sydney Elaine Butler
Sydney Elaine Butler is a Canadian Human Resources and DEAI professional with a specialty in empowering diverse recruitment and neurodiversity. Their company, Accessible Creates, aims to make HR and business more accessible through coaching and training. Follow them on LinkedIn.
