Greatest Accomplishment

My greatest accomplishment in Independent Living has been transforming my own lived experience into a force that changes systems, opens doors, and lifts up entire communities. I didn’t just join the Independent Living movement — I became a voice that demanded the South be seen, heard, and included. As Region 6 Representative for NCIL, I took on a role that many people underestimate, and I turned it into a platform that connected Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico in ways that hadn’t been done before. What I’m most proud of is that I didn’t just advocate for people with disabilities — I advocated with them. I built relationships, strengthened Centers for Independent Living, and made sure rural and overlooked communities finally had someone fighting for their needs at the national table. I showed up in rooms where our people were usually forgotten, and I made sure they were not only acknowledged but prioritized. I pushed for accessibility not as a checkbox but as a human right. I helped communities understand that Independent Living is not a program — it’s a promise. A promise that disabled people deserve autonomy, dignity, and the power to lead their own lives. And every time I helped a center secure resources, every time I connected a family to support, every time I stood up and said, “We deserve better,” I felt that promise becoming real. But the accomplishment that sits deepest in my heart is this: I made people believe in their own voice. I helped disabled individuals — especially Black disabled women and mothers — see themselves as leaders, not burdens. I showed them that their story matters, their needs matter, and their presence in advocacy spaces is not optional. Independent Living gave me a platform, but I gave it my truth, my fire, and my refusal to let anyone be left behind. That is the accomplishment I carry with the most pride.

Skills / Talents

I bring a blend of lived experience, legal training, community-rooted leadership, and strategic vision that strengthens NCIL’s mission at every level. My work has always centered on elevating disabled voices — especially those who are rural, Black, Brown, low-income, or multiply marginalized — and I carry that same commitment into every space I enter.

Leadership & Governance

• I serve as Region 6 Representative, giving me firsthand experience navigating the complexities of national, state, and local advocacy alignment.
• My background as a civil rights attorney and disability rights advocate allows me to analyze policy, identify gaps, and help shape NCIL’s strategic direction with clarity and purpose.
• I understand board governance, coalition-building, and the importance of accountability, transparency, and community trust. Lived Experience & Intersectional Advocacy
• As a Black disabled woman, a wheelchair-using mother, and a leader from the Deep South, I bring perspectives that are often missing from national decision-making tables.
• I know what it means to fight for access in rural communities where resources are scarce and disability is still stigmatized.
• My advocacy is grounded in real stories, real families, and real barriers — and that authenticity strengthens NCIL’s ability to lead with integrity. Communication, Storytelling & Community Engagement
• I am a natural storyteller who can translate policy into human impact, making complex issues accessible and compelling.
• My communication style builds trust, inspires action, and brings people together across differences.
• I have a proven ability to mobilize communities, uplift emerging advocates, and create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and empowered.

Strategic Partnerships & Resource Development

• I have built strong relationships with CILs, state agencies, national partners, and grassroots organizers across Region 6.
• I understand how to connect people, organizations, and opportunities in ways that strengthen the entire Independent Living network.
• My experience in inclusive event planning, resource distribution, and cross-agency collaboration brings practical, hands-on value to NCIL’s national initiatives.

Policy Insight & Systems Change

• My legal training gives me the ability to analyze legislation, identify systemic inequities, and advocate for policy solutions that reflect the needs of real disabled people.
• I bring a deep understanding of how federal, state, and local systems interact — and where they fail our communities.

I am committed to pushing NCIL toward long-term planning, measurable outcomes, and sustainable advocacy infrastructure. Heart, Vision & Relentless Commitment

• I bring passion, resilience, and a deep belief in the power of disability-led leadership.
• I show up fully — not just as a professional, but as a mother, a community member, and a woman who has lived the realities we are fighting to change.
• My presence on the NCIL Board ensures that the South, rural communities, and marginalized voices are not only represented but prioritized.

Why they are running

I want to serve on the NCIL Board because this movement is not just my work — it is my life’s calling. Independent Living is where my identity, my advocacy, and my lived experience come together with purpose. As a Black disabled woman, a wheelchair-using mother, and a leader from the Deep South, I know firsthand what it means to fight for access, dignity, and equity in places where our communities are too often overlooked. Serving on the NCIL Board allows me to turn those lived truths into national impact. I want to help shape a future where Independent Living is stronger, more inclusive, and more reflective of the people it serves. I want to ensure that rural communities, Southern states, and marginalized voices are not only represented but centered in NCIL’s priorities. My goal is to help build a national movement that listens deeply, responds boldly, and invests in long-term systems change. I am committed to strengthening the connection between national leadership and the advocates doing the work on the ground. I want to help NCIL build sustainable infrastructure, expand its capacity, and create pathways for emerging leaders — especially young people, parents, and disabled advocates of color — to step into their power. Most of all, I want to serve because I believe in the promise of Independent Living: that every disabled person deserves autonomy, community, and the right to lead their own life. Serving on the NCIL Board gives me the opportunity to protect that promise, expand it, and ensure it reaches every corner of this country.

Nominator: Self