On December 8th, Disability Lead announced its class of 16 Fellows for 2021! These accomplished leaders represent a cross-section of professionals from across the nonprofit, government, corporate, and education sectors in Illinois.
Four new individuals were also welcomed to the Members Network, now comprising almost 170 diverse leaders with disabilities. We also celebrate the 19 individuals who are graduating from the 2020 Leadership Institute this year.
What Gives Us Power
Nationally recognized poet, blogger, and activist, Lateef McLeod opened our closing end of year event with an impactful reading of his poem, “I am too pretty for some Ugly Laws.” Our 2020 Fellows examined these laws that existed in many U.S. cities including Chicago that weren’t repealed until as recently as 1974. As we grow our network, we recognize we stand on the shoulders of activists and leaders who fought for our collective rights.
Our progress is rooted in our history. During this past year, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In reference to the ADA, Keri Gray remarked:
“I don’t think I realized in our history that initially it was for folks who had most visible disabilities and we had to go back and make sure that we were more inclusive, and it makes me think of the history of the Civil Rights Act where initially it didn’t include sex, and then you had to go back and make sure that we were incorporating a more inclusive society.”
We aim to make this vision of inclusion a reality. The 2021 Fellows Class comes to Disability Lead from more than 14 neighborhoods and communities across Chicago to build their leadership acumen, explore and define their disability identity, and engage with different perspectives and worldviews. Following an unprecedented year, this will be the first fully virtual class as we advance into 2021.
Throughout the course of the year, these new Fellows will participate in an immersive learning experience that prepares them to collaborate and to lead with their disability identity, supported by the power of a large, effective network.
Reflections and Advice for the Incoming Class
Disability Lead 2020 Fellow Whitney Hill reflected on her experience over the past year:
“The main source that made me feel empowered in my skin this year has been the Disability Lead. They set the bar of firsts for me when I joined and wasn’t the only minority sitting at the table, surrounded by the soon to be national superstars of the disabled community.”
During our end of year event in a fireside chat with international speaker and leader Keri Gray, the Honorable Congressman Tony Coelho shared some advice for our new leaders:
“Power comes from a willingness to say who we are. I think there has been a tendency over the years for us as people with disabilities not to want to talk about it, not to want to be upfront and admit and, and what I’d like to say all the time is to love ourselves… So, love yourself, talk about who you are, what you are, what you believe, what you want, and that gives you power… If you are willing to say who you are, you will gain power not only for yourself, but for all of us, and that’s what’s really important.”
“This year has revealed that now more than ever, intersectional leaders with disabilities are vital to ensuring an equitable and inclusive Chicago region. That’s why I’m so pleased to congratulate our 2020 Fellows and welcome the class of 2021 as well as our 4 new members,” said Emily Blum, Executive Director of Disability Lead. “They are vital to our network of positive disruptors, all people with disabilities who innovate, lead the charge, question how things are done, and make our city and region a better place to live.”
Meet the Class of 2021
- 50% identify as people of color
- 19% identify as queer or bisexual
- Almost 50% of our Fellows identify with having a mental health disability
- 25% identify with having chronic pain and/or chronic illness
- Over 30% reside outside the City of Chicago
- 31% work in the non-profit sector
- 25% work in the government sector
- 19% work in the corporate sector
Our 2021 Fellows include…
- Kyle Adams: Senior Financial Analyst, Walgreens
- Sergio Alfaro: Technical Trainer, Rush University Medical Center
- Clinton Allen: Disability Specialist II, City of Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
- Alana Clark: Middle Market Commercial Banking
Analyst, JP Morgan Chase - Megan Doherty: Writer and Photographer
- Lindsay Drexler: Co-Founder, Captionpoint; Digital Consultant, Disability Lead
- Ashley Eisenmenger: PR Coordinator, Access Living
- Ericca Glasgow: Manager, Information Risk Management, CDW
- Stephen D. Hiatt-Leonard: Independent Consultant
- Earl Jordan: Administrative Assistant, Comptroller of the Currency
- Daniella Mazzio: Writer and Performer
- Brianna Morgan: Librarian, Urbana School District 116
- Kirstin Safakas: Community Involvement Coordinator, United States Environmental Protection Agency
- Dan Tun: Program Director & Co-founder, Dare2tri
- Amanda Zagloba: Librarian, Chicago Public Library
Our New Members include…
- Allyson Bain: Staff Attorney, Roger Baldwin Foundation of the ACLU, Inc.
- Stephanie Ban: Housing and Financial Counselor, Great Lakes Credit Union
- Shannon Kelly: PeerConnect Coordinator, Backbones and Social Media Manager, United Spinal
- Barbara Padilla: Accessibility Specialist, LCM Architects