Fannie Lou Hamer Program Archives - AAPD

2025-2026 Fannie Lou Hamer Cohort

Jess Davidson — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 22:01:59 +0000

2025-2026 Fannie Lou Hamer Cohort

The ASCEND Cohort of the Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program offers comprehensive leadership and advocacy training to Black identified disabled student leaders from across the country while supporting student leaders to create a project that directly benefits their local community. The ASCEND Cohort, the Alliance of Students Creating Educational Networks for Disability Rights, will be connected to a community of other leaders and the technical expertise of the Department of Education to actualize their projects.

As disabled youth, we recognize academia’s profound impact on students with disabilities. While academia can enrich, empower, educate, and motivate, disabled students often encounter barriers, dissuasion, and a lack of empathy. By collaborating with the Department of Education, the ASCEND Cohort of the FLH Program aims to expand the department’s initiatives by placing disabled student leaders at the forefront of advocacy and change.

About Fannie Lou Hamer

This cohort is a branch of the Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program, created by Keri Gray. The Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program’s typical focus on voting rights has shifted to education through the ASCEND Cohort in collaboration with the Department of Education through the White House Youth Policy Summit Fund.

The namesake of the program, Fannie Lou Hamer, was a formidable civil rights leader known for her tireless work in advocating for the rights of Black Americans and individuals with disabilities. Her efforts to challenge educational inequalities and promote accessible opportunities laid the foundation for integrating disability rights into the broader civil rights movement. Hamer’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of leaders dedicated to ensuring equitable access to education for all.

What is the Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program?

The Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program is a 16-week hybrid leadership and advocacy fellowship designed to cultivate Black disabled leaders ages 18-59. It equips and supports 5 Black disabled advocates who want to grow as community organizers and leaders.Through a combination of virtual sessions, mentorship, and one in-person retreat, fellows will develop the tools and confidence to create measurable change within their own local contexts.

How much time does the FLH Program require?

The program includes weekly virtual leadership development and community outreach sessions along with group discussions, independent study, and community-based activities. It is tailored and designed for emerging and established organizers, leaders, and advocates, offering content that ranges from intermediate to expert levels. Participants should expect to spend about 5-10 hours per week on program-related work. Each participant will receive a $1,500 stipend for their participation, $500 technology stipend, as well as up to $3,000 in funding to plan and execute the required capstone in-person community event.

Apply Now!

Details About the Application Process

Program Timeline and Key Dates

November 1, 2025: Applications Open
December 5, 2025: Application Close
December 12, 2025: Final Cohort Selection Announced
December 19, 2025: First class and weekly virtual training meetings begin, focusing on leadership development, community engagement, and project implementation
February 2026 In-Person Retreat (Dates TBA): Participants will attend a mandatory in-person training retreat to engage, network, and strengthen their advocacy and leadership skills
March 27, 2026: Participants will complete their community capstone projects

Commitment and Requirements

Completion of the online application is required.
Attendance of at least 80% of all ASCEND modules is mandatory.
Participants must be available for weekly virtual calls and the D.C. trip scheduled for February 19-23.

Stipend and Technology Options

Participants will receive a total stipend of $1,500: $500 at the beginning of the program, $500 midway through, and $500 towards the end.
Alternatively, participants may opt to receive $500 worth of technology (such as a laptop) to assist with their participation in the program. Any remaining funds after purchasing technology will be provided as a stipend.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must self-identify as an individual with any type of disability.
In line with the inception of the FLH program, we prioritize Black identified individuals in this application.
Applicants must be between the ages of 18-59.

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AAPD Disability Policy Download – February 2024

Jess Davidson — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 01:06:40 +0000

Note: This is the full-length version of AAPD’s February 2024 policy update. AAPD sends out a shortened version to its mailing list each month. If you have feedback or questions, or have any access issues, please email Jess Davidson at jdavidson@aapd.com.

To receive the Disability Policy Download email brief, as well as all our other newsletters and emails, register for AAPD’s newsletter at this link.

February Advocacy Highlights

Statements on CDC’s New COVID-19 Guidelines

On February 13, the Washington Post reported that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention (CDC) was preparing to release new proposed isolation guidance for COVID-19 that would reduce isolation times to as little as one day in many cases. AAPD released a statement expressing severe concern and asking the CDC and the Biden administration to change course. That statement can be read here.

Today, March 1, the CDC released that new guidance, titled Respiratory Virus Guidelines. AAPD published a statement again to express disappointment and frustration with the new guidance, and our concerns for the disability community amidst its changes. Read that statement here.

AAPD Comments on the DoJ’s Proposed Accessibility Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment

AAPD submitted comments in support of the Department of Justice’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking entitled Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability: Accessibility of Medical Diagnostic Equipment of State and Local Government Entities. This proposed rule would implement accessibility standards for medical diagnostic equipment (MDE), including exam tables, diagnostic imaging machines such as those used for mammography, and more under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The U.S. Access Board released these accessibility standards for MDE in 2017, and this proposed rule from the Department of Justice would make them enforceable. Read our comments here.

AAPD Comments to AbilityOne Commission on Proposed Regulation on Competition

AAPD submitted comments to the Office of Management and Budget and the AbilityOne Commission on the proposed regulation, Supporting Competition in the AbilityOne Program. Established in 1938, the AbilityOne program provides employment opportunities and related supports to 45,000 people who are blind or have significant disabilities and provides products and services to the U.S. government and armed services. AAPD is concerned that this proposed regulation would substantially alter the purpose of the AbilityOne program by making costs the main consideration when reviewing applications for AbilityOne contracts. Read our comments here.

AAPD Asks President Biden to Include Disability Policy Priorities in State of the Union Address

AAPD sent a letter to President Biden asking him to include people with disabilities and key disability policy priorities in his upcoming State of the Union address, scheduled to be delivered to a Joint Session of Congress on March 7. Read our letter to the President here.

AAPD Attends Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Conference in Philadelphia

On February 6th and 7th, Maria Town, AAPD President and CEO, and Gaby Madriz, AAPD Chief Operating Officer, attended The Equity and Social Justice Relationships Winter Convening in Philadelphia, hosted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The convening brought together leaders from various non-profit organizations who focus on different aspects of health equity. The convening was the first in-person gathering of this cohort of leaders and provided an invaluable opportunity to build relationships for mutual support and collaboration. AAPD is excited to continue to build upon the connections forged at the convening in order to advance our shared goals of increasing health equity through advocacy and civic engagement within our communities.

Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Fellows Visit Washington, D.C.

February 22-25, fellows in the 2023 Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program gathered in Washington D.C. to put their legislative advocacy skills into action and build connections within the disability community. The Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program, started in 2020, is designed for young Black disabled advocates (ages 18 – 30) who are committed to the social, political, and economic issues surrounding the intersections of the Black and Disability communities. The fellows met with Members of Congress, visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture, toured the We Who Believe in Freedom Exhibit at the MLK Library, and more. Read about the leaders from our 2023 cohort here.

AAPD Submits Written Testimony Regarding Disabled Entrepreneurs

On January 30, 2024 the Committee on Small Business held an Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development Subcommittee hearing titled “Pathways to Success: Supporting Entrepreneurs and Employees with Disabilities.” AAPD submitted written testimony on the barriers disabled entrepreneurs and employees face and what can be done to resolve these issues, such as passing the Supporting Disabled Entrepreneurs Act. You can read the full testimony here.

REV UP Updates

New U.S. Senate Bills Improving Democracy

This month, the REV UP network has been excited about the release of multiple bills working to improve our democracy!

The Accessible Voting Act establishes an Office of Accessibility in the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, requires states to create accessible voting websites, requires states to allow no-excuse absentee voting for all voters and provide accessible absentee digital blank ballots, authorizes funding for states to ensure polling place accessibility, and more.

The Removing Access Barriers to Running for Elected Office for People with Disabilities Act protects candidate’s who need access to crucial federal disability benefits.

Lastly, the AID (Accessibility and Inclusion to Diversify) Local Government Leadership Act supports accommodations for local elected officials.

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore and improve the Voting Rights Act by adding back in protections against racial discrimination in voting and representation. Maria Town, President and CEO of AAPD, said of the bill, “We have seen a disturbing increase in voter suppression laws at the state-level with policies that specifically create barriers for disabled voters. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is a crucial protection against discriminatory voting laws. We urge Congress to pass this law so we can get closer to a democracy where every voter has full access to their right.”

To learn more about these bills and get engaged in advocacy, register to attend REV UP National Calls and sign up for the REV UP newsletter.

Technology Policy

NTIA Workshop at NDIA conference

AAPD participated in a workshop on disability inclusion at the National Digital Inclusion Alliance conference in Philadelphia this month. AAPD urged state planners to reach out to the federally funded networks to learn more about the needs of our community, and highlighted the need to pay for assistive devices that allow disabled people to access broadband to communicate. We also urged libraries to work with existing assistive technology to create community hubs for people to learn how it can be used by assistive devices to communicate.

Conversation with the FCC

AAPD attended a briefing for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Rosenworcel with the Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights. The priorities we shared included advocating for the FCC to create an Office on Civil Rights, an update on several matters related to digital discrimination rulemaking, and the need to secure funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). AAPD reinforced the need for the Commission to address the access to assistive devices comments included in our comments to the Commission on the digital discrimination rulemaking.

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2022 Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program

AAPD Press Team — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 13:52:31 +0000

2022 Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program

Fannie Lou Hamer is a well-recognized civil rights activist and organizer for voting rights. Her work centered on elevating the rights of Black voters and women, particularly across the state of Mississippi. Hamer had polio as a child and later became physically disabled due to a severe beating in a Mississippi jail. The program is in honor of her legacy and sacrifice.

Meet the 2022 Cohort

Michkeal L. Cross

My name is Michkeal L. Cross. I am 25 years of age. I currently work for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis as a Youth Development Professional. I also serve on the St. Louis Arc. board as a self-advocate.

I look forward to my new position as a Paraprofessional in Special School District of St. Louis County. I am delighted to participate in the learning as a new Fannie Lou Hamer Fellow.

Sean Gold

Sean Gold is a young, black, gay man with a disability, his desire is to enlighten, inform and support others in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, and beyond. He is an advocate for people with disabilities, an author, a public speaker, and has one Microsoft certification for web design. In 2020, Sean was elected as president of the disability-owned nonprofit organization, Coalition in Truth and Independence. In 2021, he published his debut book, “Pure Love, Or Is It?” He considers his faith, family, and friends the most important things in his life. His physical disability is Cerebral Palsy, and he has had a Tracheostomy Breathing Tube since he was only one and a half years old. Even though he’s nonverbal, it doesn’t get in the way of his love of creative writing, and storytelling.

Derek Heard

Derek Heard Jr. is a 21 year old entrepreneur and disability self-advocate from Albany, Georgia. He has never allowed his diagnosis of Autism to limit what he has wanted to do. He has been involved in multiple organizations to change the landscape of voter rights and human rights for people with disabilities. As a person who uses graphics to help understand and communicate with the world. He has used this to showcase how the human condition cannot be defined by a word written on his medical history.

Derek is currently a board member for Rev Up Georgia. This organization educates and advocates for people with disabilities and their ability to vote. He has been providing several graphics towards their campaign for the past 2 years. With the success of Rev Up Georgia, the Save my Vote Georgia campaign was launched in 2022. This endeavor’s purpose is to provide voter education to the disability community. It also provides a living documentary on the challenges and successes of voting in Georgia for people with disabilities. He will be starting his internship with this organization in June 2022. He is also a founding member for a self-advocacy group called Uniting for Change. Uniting for Change is led by disability self-advocates to champion the causes that are important and instrumental for them to have the quality of a life they want to determine. In 2021, the Center on Youth Voice, Youth Choice elected 5 young adults in Georgia to represent the state. The Center on Youth Voice, Youth Choice is a national youth resource center on alternatives to guardianship. It promotes the use of alternatives to guardianship nationally through research, self-advocacy, outreach, coalition building and education. He was selected as one of the participants in Georgia. He is also a public speaker for this organization that uses graphics to educate people about supported decision making. In June 2022, he will be starting to do newsletter graphics for Georgians for a Healthy Future. Georgians for a Healthy Future partners with advocates, community organizations, and consumers to build and mobilize a unified voice, vision, and leadership to achieve a healthy future for all Georgians. In 2021, he became a part of Synergies Works. Derek has always had a passion towards art. As a career, this would give him the platform to have gainful employment and also be the vehicle to drive his advocacy efforts. This was critical for him since he found that he was locked out of the traditional model of post-secondary education because of his diagnosis. So he decided that he would make his own passage to success. Derek lives by the motto of “if there is no way,then you create a way”. Synergies Works is an organization that helps entrepreneurs with disabilities to connect to the larger business community and tap into the resources they need to create a sustainable business. From there, Derek’s Doodles was created in Jan, 2022. Through Derek’s graphic design company, he was able to continue his efforts to move the compass and illuminate his belief that disability rights is a human right.

Janiah J. Miller

A strong advocate for people first advocacy, Janiah Miller is an experienced community organizer and political strategist who began her social action career by accepting Cincinnati City Hall’s position as a director of community relations for Councilmember Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney. At 21, she became one of the youngest Directors at Cincinnati City Hall, driving community outreach and day-to-day operations during a global pandemic and civil unrest that was unraveling across the country. During this time, she was able to work with long-term community activists in the Cincinnati Black United Front who created a program to train and educate the next generation of “Leaders of the Free World” where we led community conversations focusing on the collaborative agreement refresh leading us to present our findings at City Hall — resulting in three of them being implemented in the Fraternal Order of Police Contract. While doing this she worked with students at the University of Cincinnati and other organizations to plan, organize and lead rallies that had over 500+ participants — while ensuring they could connect with elected officials at City Hall.

As a Community Organizer with the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition she founded and led the people power committee which engaged 20+ organizations where they hosted a two-night candidate forum with 25/35 candidates running for Cincinnati City Council. Following that she coordinated the release of Cincinnati’s first Housing Justice Voter Empowerment Guide where 1400+ hard copies were distributed all while organizing tenants across the city on a variety of issues impacting them. Currently, she is the first Racial Justice and Policy Associate at Innovation Ohio working to co-create “”A Justice Agenda for Black Women and Girls”” in partnership with the Ohio Bar Association.

As a people-first community driven leader with a passion for using a Black feminist framework to enact transformative change within communities, her areas of interest include: economic justice as a housing, public well-being and education issues. Her political advocacy did not stop at City Hall, she serves as the first female President of Southwest Ohio Young Black Democrats where she works to build political imagination and power to shift power dynamics within our communities throughout the SW Ohio region. Her service continues as she is a Central Democratic Committee member, representing her voting district and is a volunteer for Rising Stars of America which focuses on literacy and education achievement for Black students in Madisonville. She holds a Master in Public Administration: Social Justice with a concentration in Social Policy, Urban Policy and Politics with a graduate certificate in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies.

Shannon Stubblefield

Pronouns: they/she

Working class, disabled, and asexual student from and currently residing on Tongva Land also known as South Central Los Angeles. Studying for a masters degree in public health with a focus in community health sciences.

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Black Disability Freedom Dreams

AAPD Press Team — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 05:09:00 +0000

Black Disability Freedom Dreams

2020 has been one of the most challenging years for many of us. Black people, especially Black people with a Disability have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and police brutality. However, disproportionate impact is nothing new to our Black, Disabled community. Despite the injustices we face regularly broadcasted on the news, despite the statistics and careful analysis of academics proving how systematic racism and inequity exists, and despite Black people and people with disabilities running for office and occasionally winning, our bodies and our well-being are still not seen as a priority when writing or executing law and policy. Additionally, our perspectives and needs are often overlooked when making decisions that impact education and employment practices.

Personally, I experienced numerous challenges learning how to navigate academic, professional, grassroots and political spaces. Oftentimes, the safe spaces of embracing Blackness and Disability are broken up into separate silos, which can make it difficult to articulate how both intersect when advocating for my needs. However, this year, I had the honor of organizing through AAPD’s first cohort of the Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program. The Fannie Lou Hamer Program was created for Black Disabled advocates in memory of Black, Disabled voting rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer. Our cohort advocated for voter registration and civic engagement across Black communities leading up to the 2020 national and local elections, one of the most impactful election years of our lifetime.

This was a cohort where my ideas and organizing efforts were embraced and taken to new levels where they had been previously dismissed with other groups. I also learned about so many new nuances and perspectives that I now push myself to be accountable for. This program has become my anchor of hope that Black Disabled people can have a community that uplifts one another through the challenges we face in voting and our everyday lives. It helped me find my voice and helped me build skills to create a new path. One that enabled me to embrace my Blackness and my disability simultaneously. Our cohort dreamed of sharing this space with the world.

Thus, we launched a campaign called Black Disability Freedom Dreams. We recognized how hard this year has been on the Black community and the Black Disabled community in particular. The converging crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-Black state violence has uncovered long standing inequities that render Black communities socially, economically and medically vulnerable. In this context, inspired by Fannie Lou Hamer’s assertion that “Nobody’s Free, Until EveryBody’s Free,” we were compelled to broaden our drive for voter registration to a broader contemplation of #BlackDisabilityFreedomDreams. The Black, Disabled community encompasses a broad range of people with varied life experiences, needs and relationships to disability, so we hosted this event as an open exchange of ideas about how people who are Black and Disabled imagine and work towards liberation. The discussion was guided by the following questions:

Why is voting and integrated civic engagement important to Black people with disabilities?
How can we tackle and overcome ableism in our communities? How can people with Disabilities inform the greater population of ableism and how it exists to be more inclusive?
How can people with disabilities overcome impostor syndrome and stereotypes that threaten their day-to-day lives? How can we inform others of Disability stereotypes and how to be more inclusive in more professional and academic environments?
What does Black Disability Freedom mean to you?
Why is voting/civic engagement important?

AAPD and our entire cohort hopes that these highlights and guiding questions will continue the conversation and inspire others to create a space where we can be our full selves, unapologetically, as we dream and fight for our freedom. We encourage people to use the hashtags #BlackDisabilityFreedom and #BlackDisabilityDreams continue this conversation to remind the world that we exist, we are here, and our lives and liberation is worth fighting for. We also hope that those who want to engage in allyship will gain insight on how to stand in solidarity with us. We do not have to feel alone on an island with the challenges we face. Our work is far from over, and we have many elections like the Georgia Senate runoff coming. This is a call to listen, learn, and however you can, take action.

Link for the Black Disability Freedom Dreams event on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhAWLAq7UvE&feature=youtu.be

Link for the transcript of the Black Disability Freedom Dreams event:
https://www.aapd.com/black-disability-freedom-dreams-transcript/

By: Jalyn Radziminski, organizer in AAPD’s Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program.

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2020 Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program

AAPD Press Team — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 04:32:00 +0000

2020 Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program

Through AAPD’s REV UP Campaign, we are proud to announce our new initiative, the Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program. This program is designed for young (ages 18 – 30) Black disabled advocates who are committed to boosting voter registration and civic engagement across Black communities leading up to the 2020 elections. Participants will receive a $1,500 stipend and have the opportunity to create a national nonpartisan campaign that promotes voter registration and participation. Fannie Lou Hamer is a well-recognized civil rights activist and organizer for voting rights. Her work centered on elevating the rights of Black voters and women, particularly across the state of Mississippi. Hamer had polio as a child and later became physically disabled due to a severe beating in a Mississippi jail. In honor of her legacy and sacrifice, AAPD is proud to launch the Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program.

Black Disability Freedom Dreams Event

What does Freedom look like for Black Disabled people in 2020 and beyond? How are Black Disabled people actively dreaming up alternative visions of freedom, community and political power? Watch the event hosted by the five organizers from the inaugural cohort of AAPD’s Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program (led by Keri Gray!) as we discussed the complex intersections of Blackness and Disability with our community, as well as how we might use voting as one part of an integrated civic engagement strategy towards Black liberation.

Read the transcript

2020 Fannie Lou Hamer Leaders

Adreenah “Dreezy” Wynn

City/State: Tallahassee, FL
Website: https://www.adreenah.com/
Twitter: @Adreenah
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adreenah/
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/147361303

Bio

I’m Adreenah but everyone calls me Dreezy. I am a graphic designer, female, African American, thriving with a blood disorder called Sickle Cell Disease, anxiety, and depression. My hometown is Apalachicola, Florida which is a rural community. I graduated from the University of Florida with a dual degree in Graphic Design and Art+Technology, minor in Sociology, and I will be finishing up my Arts in Medicine Certificate this year also at UF. I have hopes to get my Masters in Art Therapy program in the future. I consider myself a Digital Storyteller, Act Activist, and Social Designer.

I use design as a catalyst to initiate real conversation, amongst real people, about real issues. Much of my work has a social justice theme. My top medium would be video and digital media. You can check out my work at www.adreenah.com I volunteered and facilitated art and story-telling workshops in UF Health Shands Hospital, juvenile detention centers, and within the community including schools. I spent this past year doing community organizing and I love it! I currently volunteer with the Sunrise Movement and I’m working on starting my own blog. I can’t to see how my experience in this program will shape the black community and my journey.

Jalyn Radziminski

City/State: Fort Wayne, IN
College: Emory University
Major: Linguistics & Human Rights
Website: http://countusindiana.org/
Instagram: @awoken_nova
Twitter: @awoken_nova

Bio

Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jalyn Radziminski is fueled by their passion to unite education, non-profits, government, political and grassroots community initiatives to promote equity both socially and systematically.

Jalyn graduated from Emory University with a bachelors and linguistics and interdisciplinary studies with a human rights concentration. As an undergrad, Radziminski co-founded Emory University’s Black Mental Health Ambassadors Program as well as served as a founding council member of Mental Health America’s National Collegiate Innovation Council and Students for Prison Education and Resistance.

After graduation, Jalyn has advocated for diversity and voter equity in Georgia by serving as a Fair Fight Action Political Fellow, conducting research about jail voting for grassroots initiatives, volunteering for disability inclusion initiatives surrounding employment and transportation advocacy, and by serving as a Communication Director and Legislative Aide for the Georgia House of Representatives. Jalyn saw the need to encourage more diverse voter turnout and political participation in her home state as well. Thus, Jalyn founded Count US IN, an Indiana based initiative to uplift, educate, and empower local voices as well highlight Indiana’s relevance in the national political conversations.

Jalyn is grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow in a space that centers Black and Disability rights, and will actively work towards making sure every vote counts!

Ra Malika Imhotep

City/State: New Orleans, LA
College: University of California, Berkeley
Major: African Diaspora Studies/New Media
Website: http://blackfeministstudy.org/
Twitter: @blackityblk

Bio

Ra Malika Imhotep is a Black feminist cultural worker from Atlanta, Georgia, pursuing a doctoral degree in African Diaspora Studies at the University of California, Berkeley with a designated emphasis in New Media. Ra’s intellectual + creative work tends to the relationships between queer articulations of Black femininity, vernacular culture and the performance of labor in The Dirty South. Currently living, practicing and dreaming in New Orleans, Louisiana, Ra works across mediums to apply principles of disability justice and the long tradition of Black feminist world-making to collaborative efforts that “make revolution irresistible” through innovative and inclusive approaches to political education and cultural production. Ra is co-convener of an embodied spiritual-political education project called The Church of Black Feminist Thought, and a member of the curatorial collective The Black Aesthetic. Ra is currently being politicized in community with the organizers, scholars and cultural workers of Southerners on New Ground, Gallery of the Streets and Sister’s Action Team.

Shayla Gaither

City/State: Cheltenham, PA
College: Albright College
Major: Business Administration and Communications Track in PR and Advertising
Website: https://shaylagaither.wixsite.com/createink
Instagram: @cuteshaybay

Bio

Shayla Gaither is a fun and lively woman from a small town outside Philadelphia. She is currently 20 years old and attends college at a liberal arts school in Reading, Pennsylvania. Ever since Shayla was little, she had a passion for media and advocacy. As a little girl, Shayla would record events with her family’s camcorder and wrote letters to state representatives. Now, Shayla is a Business and Communications major, who wants to create entertaining commercials in her career. In Shayla’s free time, she also advocates for minority and disability rights. Shayla is extremely excited to participate in the Fannie Lou Hammer Leadership Program. Not only does the program combine all of Shayla’s passions, but the program also helps support minorities across the country.

Tolu Adedoja

City/State: Los Angeles, CA
Instagram: @toluwase019

Bio

Tolu was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States in 2017. He is highly interested in public policy, and often participates in a lot of volunteer and community service projects. He is also a human rights advocate with special interest in disability rights.

Tolu’s interest in the Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership program stem from his passion for public policy, leadership, and advocacy, with special focus on disability rights. As a college student, he has been actively involved in leadership activities both on and off campus through the Student Government where he served as the sophomore representative, and was on the Speech and Debate Club. In his community, he has been an active member of the Nebraska Youth Leadership Council (NYLC), a self-advocacy leadership organization for youth with disabilities in Nebraska. Through this organization, he has teamed up with other members on how to create a more suitable environment for people with disabilities, by creating awareness and advocating for their rights. In his leisure time, Tolu likes to watch YouTube, play video games, or just hang out.

Speakers and Partners

Thank you to your speaker and partner organizations!

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