What is your role at the Partnership and what does it involve?

My role at the Partnership is to serve as a cultural broker for the African American community. I connect with families to provide emotional support, mentoring, information, navigation of systems, and resources. Additionally, I act as a bridge between families and professionals, facilitating understanding and collaboration. I also train professionals on cultural perspectives that strengthen family-centered practices.

What inspired you to join the Partnership?

I was inspired to join the Partnership by the opportunity to collaborate with other African American families whose loved ones experience disabilities. My greatest motivation came from my daughter, who is a gifted young woman. When she was growing up, she was denied the right to be educated alongside her typically developing peers and dismissed as lacking the ability to achieve academic success because she was a non-speaker. However, I have always said non-speaking does not mean non-thinking. My husband and I were not listened to; part of it was blatant racism, some of it was more implicit bias. Our challenges navigating special education in public schools were experiences I hoped no other family would have to endure. I also wanted to help professionals understand the importance of truly listening to families and maintaining high expectations for every individual, regardless of disability or perceived ability.

How does your work contribute to the mission of the Partnership?

My work contributes to the mission of the Partnership by helping families to become better informed, be empowered, advocate for themselves, and enabling their loved ones to live full lives..

What’s something you're proud of accomplishing in your role?

Something I’m proud of accomplishing in my role is seeing parents/caregivers that I have worked with in the past supporting other families or taking on leadership roles in their community.

What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day for me can vary, but it mainly involves following up with families,  listening to parents and providing emotional support, and brainstorming, meeting with our community partners to support families, or occasionally conducting a presentation.

What do you enjoy most about the work you do here?

What I enjoy most about the work I do here is connecting with families, meeting a wide range of people from different backgrounds, and learning from them. Additionally, working with my colleagues on projects, I gain knowledge from them, and collaborating with professionals, because none of us can do the work alone.

How do you collaborate with other team members or partners?

I collaborate with other team members or partners through meetings, utilizing shared platforms and goals, and communicate my opinions clearly, while respecting diverse perspectives to build trust. I also help problem-solve when/if conflicts arise. Often, I provide information from a family perspective based on personal experiences or the families I’ve worked with.

What experience or background do you bring to the team?

The experience or background that I bring to the team includes being a parent of an adult child with a developmental disability, experience with AAC, a graduate of the Partners in Policy Making program,  training/experience around cultural competence, chairing committees, and a degree in professional communication.

What excites you about the future of this work?

What excites me about the future of this work is that families and self-advocates have numerous digital platforms to access information and to build connections within and outside of their local community. Technology is advancing quickly and having a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the work we do?

One thing I wish more people understood about the work we do is that it is research-based and covers the lifespan of people and families who experience disabilities.