Pronouns: He/Him

John Bennett is a PhD candidate in film studies in the Department of Communication Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is currently completing a dissertation on the history of the international activities of the Algerian film industry from 1956 to 1984. He received a Chateaubriand Fellowship from the French Embassy in the United States in conjunction with an invitation from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne to conduct archival research for this dissertation in 2024. His chapter on French cross-cultural comedy will appear in The Oxford Handbook of Screen Comedy, and his article on Algerian international coproductions will appear in the Arab Studies Journal of the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies of Georgetown University. In his teaching, John plans to draw students’ attention to representations of disability in African cinema, such as in films by Ousmane Sembène, Djibril Diop Mambéty and Brahim Tsaki.

Pronouns: She/Her

Ashley Castillo is a Afro-Latina with Cerebral Palsy from The Bronx, New York currently studying journalism as a graduate student at CUNY Craig Newmark Graduate School Of Journalism, with a concentration of Local & Accountability. She is a first generation Dominican-American to obtain her bachelors and masters degree. Her goal is to become a TV News Reporter because she aspires to become the change of how disabled people are represented and perceived in storytelling. She hopes to become the leader that her fellow television teachers have taught her of the world she was once isolated from.

The Spanish Television Channels has been an important part of inclusion for her to be part of society aside from being raised with little to none representation of her identities and being deprived of opportunities and resources. She grew up with the news team as being part of her family because her family was in a foreign country in the United States and migrated from the Dominican Republic for the American Dream. They learned to navigate New York City through their native language Spanish with the help of Univision and Telemundo. She also learns from her family’s culture by watching the Dominican Channel every Sunday growing up. Ashley is a student member of DJA, NAHJ and NABJ. Ashley hopes to make her family proud for leaving their home country to another country for better opportunities.

Her inspiration to succeed is seeing her family leave their home country and seeing other people from her family country succeed such as Cardi B and Aventura. She learned how to walk by dancing bachata with her family. Ashley was told she would not amount to anything yet has been determined to succeed with the obstacles that were made to limit her. In her spare time Ashley enjoys swimming, going to the curly hair salon, and playing on her Nintendo Switch.

Pronouns: He/Him

Itai Hershko is a filmmaker and storyteller who believes media has the power to shift perceptions and spark inclusion. Diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and ADHD, he uses his lived experience to create work that brings visibility to invisible disabilities. His first documentary, Making Sens-ory, explores what it’s like to navigate the world with SPD, and has been recognized by film festivals in the U.S., Europe, and India.

Outside of filmmaking, Itai is a dedicated volunteer at Camp Anchor, a summer program for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities, where he’s learned firsthand the importance of inclusive spaces and supportive communities.

This fall, Itai will begin college, where he plans to pursue a business degree with the long-term goal of building a media company that champions authentic disability representation. He’s passionate about shifting how neurodivergence is portrayed on screen—from misunderstood to understood, from sidelined to central.

Itai is honored to be selected as a Tony Coelho Media Scholarship recipient and is grateful to NBCUniversal for supporting his mission.

Pronouns: He/Him

Matthew Hua is a hard-of-hearing composer based in Alexandria, Virginia. His music draws on his own and others’ experiences to create an emotional instrumental story. This fall, Matthew will begin his graduate studies at Columbia College Chicago as he pursues a Master of Fine Arts in Music Composition for the Screen. At a young age, the only way that Matthew’s medical team was able to get him to sit for treatments was to turn on a Disney film and allow him to be mesmerized by the film’s music–The Lion King was a reliable tool. Matthew maintains that, even today, film music keeps him centered and motivates him amidst the complexities of his disabilities.

Matthew aims to contribute to an industry that transformed his life. He is passionate about redefining disability with an empathetic lens in music, film, and entertainment. Most recently, Matthew was the Personnel Manager and Music Librarian for the Capital City Symphony in Washington, DC and he is currently preparing for a recording of a 60-piece orchestral work with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra. As he heads into two years of study in Chicago, he is honored to be a recipient of the 2025 NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship. He is thankful that NBCUniversal and AAPD share in his belief that film music has only scratched the surface of the potential of featuring artists with disabilities.

Pronouns: She/Her

Juniper “Junie” Johnson is a Cameroonian-American multihyphenate, born in Inglewood, CA and now rooted in the Tampa Bay Area. She earned her BFA in Creative Writing in sun-drenched Sarasota, where she also picked up minors in Film Studies, Art History, and Photography, because one creative outlet was never quite enough. After college, Junie threw herself headfirst into the wonderful world of film, chasing the very thing that both scares and inspires her. In 2022, she joined Lambda Literary’s first-ever screenwriting cohort, studying under Amos Mac, a writer for HBO Max’s Gossip Girl. Fueled by writing mentorship, a lot of curiosity, and more matcha lattes than she’d care to admit, Junie wrote, directed, and produced two short films: Bahati and Heavy is the Head. Both projects screened on opposite coasts, reflecting the breadth of her storytelling reach. When she’s not behind a camera, you’ll probably find Junie in the DVD section of a thrift store, checking each row for the live-action Bratz movie.

Pronouns: She/Her

Shanelly Nunez is a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology and a passionate printmaker. She uses her art to share her culture, express who she is, and raise awareness about disabilities. Inspired by her Latinx background and life experiences, she creates prints, illustrations, and designs that give a voice to people who are often left out. Her goal is to make art that includes everyone and helps people feel proud and seen.

Pronouns: She/Her

Rosemarie Shamim, born and raised in Los Angeles, California, is on her pathway towards a career in film/entertainment journalism. She believes film and entertainment have the power to unify society, sparking shared conversations and interests. As for the journalism aspect, she values how it allows us to ensure proper representation, taking deeper dives into certain stylistic choices. Rosemarie is currently attending Glendale Community College where she also spends her time as a writing tutor– often working with students with disabilities. Her next goal is to begin writing for her campus newspaper, with the intentions of spotlighting GCC’s film production crew, as well as students/staff part of the school’s Disabled Students Programs and Services. Diagnosed with ADHD around her sophomore year of high school, Rosemarie has learned the positive impacts of this disability, making it her greatest strength. This includes her passion for creativity, storytelling, and holding a closer lens to art and media. Rosemarie defines herself as a people person, valuing collaboration and doing her best to support others. In this evolving field, her ultimate goals are to reverse the popularized style of journalism that tends to focus on superficial knowledge, and rather pursue authentic stories. With this, Rosemarie is determined to use her platform to uplift the existing potential of others, especially individuals with disabilities. She is honored to receive this scholarship and is excited for what’s to come.

Pronouns: He/Him

Anthony McFarland-Smith is a hard-of-hearing young man who recently graduated from the California School for the Deaf, Riverside. This fall, he will attend Gallaudet University, where he plans to study Communication with a focus on sports journalism. Anthony has a deep passion for sports and aims to advocate for and spotlight disabled athletes through the lens of storytelling and journalism. Over the past three years, California School for the Deaf, Riverside, has won three consecutive CIF 8-man football championships. Anthony was part of the 2024 championship team. His journey hasn’t been easy. Growing up with a hearing disability, learning ASL, transferring between two deaf schools, and losing his mother at age 16–all of these experiences shaped who he is today. Through hard work and perseverance, Anthony graduated with the California State Seal of Biliteracy on his diploma. Anthony’s goal—in college and beyond—is to use his voice through writing, reporting, and storytelling to uplift and amplify the power of disabled athletes who continue to redefine what it means to compete and inspire the communities.

Pronouns: She/her

Kayla Abramowitz is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Communication and Leadership. At age 11, she founded a nonprofit organization, Kayla Cares 4 Kids, which has provided over 50,000 entertainment and educational items to children’s medical facilities across all 50 states and in 3 countries, in an effort to “help sick kids feel better one smile at a time.’ The nonprofit was created from her own experiences of needing to find positive distractions while sick in a hospital bed with nothing to do. She now aspires to create media content to directly entertain sick kids. In 2023, she interned at Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit that powers Sesame Street, where she helped create content surrounding disability inclusion and understanding.

Pronouns: She/Her

Makayla Allen is a senior at California State University, Northridge, majoring in Cinema and Television Arts Entertainment Media Management. In her academic career, she served as a Production Manager and Writer for the Cinematography Program at Pasadena City College. Living with autism, Makayla has channeled her experiences into an influential force for advocacy and inclusivity. Demonstrating a strong commitment to her community, one of her most impactful experiences was her involvement in the Autism In Entertainment event. This event is a collaborative effort between the Orange County Asperger’s Support Group, the California Department of Developmental Services, and film and media production companies aimed to create employment opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum in various entertainment-related fields. Makayla played a pivotal role in this initiative and is grateful to be part of a community that values her contributions. Her involvement in this event strengthened her commitment to advocating for greater representation and inclusivity in the entertainment industry. After graduation, Makayla intends to pursue a Master’s degree in Marketing and Public Relations. She envisions a career as a marketing creative and media manager within the film, television, and sports industries, where she will use her talents to create impactful campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences. Using writing and graphic design as powerful tools for self-expression, allowing her to communicate creatively, Makayla plans to create a digital magazine and platform that highlights the voices of athletes, artists, disabled individuals, and the BIPOC community. She firmly believes in the transformative power of storytelling to effect change and cultural enrichment. Her ultimate goal is to revolutionize the entertainment industry, advocating for underrepresented voices and making a resounding impact. She envisions a future where authentic representation in the media landscape can powerfully influence society and shape perceptions and the broader entertainment industry. Makayla is deeply grateful for the support of the NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship, which will help her further her education and advocacy.

Pronouns: She/Her

Amanda DeJesus is a graduate student at New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute studying multimedia journalism. She believes in advocating for a more equitable news media industry that represents people with disabilities with nuance. As someone with a chronic illness, she is passionate about solutions-based and trauma-informed approaches to journalism, especially covering marginalized communities.

Pronouns: She/Her

Chelsea Glover is an aspiring Broadway singer/ recording artist and actress who is passionate about the performing arts. She is currently taking her studies to the big apple at Pace University hopefully to earn a degree in Musical Theatre and Arts and Management. She has been on hit T.V shows such as NBC The Voice, Elmo Late Nights Show, The First Noel directed by Kenny Leon and Jasmine Guy, The Terrell Show, and many more. She is also an ambassador for American Diabetes Association and would like to spread diabetes awareness in rooms that kids and juveniles would never think of. Chelsea was born and raised in Atlanta Georgia her whole life but her gift of voice let her travel the world while still experiencing type 1 diabetes at the age of 3. Her goals after college is to be on the Broadway stage and open up her own entertainment management company for the music industry.

He/Him

Qusay Hussein is an education advocate, doctoral student, and motivational speaker. In 2006, Qusay survived a suicide bombing in Mosul, Iraq, sustaining multiple injuries and losing his sight. After 70 reconstructive surgeries, he transformed this traumatic experience into a drive to advocate for marginalized communities and individuals with disabilities. In 2010, Qusay traveled to Jordan for medical treatment. During his recovery, he volunteered as a patient-counselor for Doctors Without Borders (MSF), organizing recreational activities for patients recovering from war-related injuries. Qusay resettled in the United States in 2012, quickly integrating into American society by learning English and attending GED classes and later college. Qusay earned his BA, BSW, and MSW at the University of Texas at Austin where he is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Social Work. Qusay is extremely active in his community. He serves on the board of directors for Doctors Without Borders USA. Additionally, the UT Austin Student Advisory Committee for students with disabilities, and is the co-chair of the Community Advisory Council for the Texas Center for Disability Studies. 

Qusay is passionate about motivational speaking and educating about disability. When he has time, he can be found cheering for the Iraqi National Football Team.

Pronouns: She/They

Emma O’Neill-Dietel is an aspiring historian and writer. She received her bachelor’s degree in World Literature and Spanish from Smith College. After receiving her degree, she spent two years at WETA, the PBS station of Washington, D.C., working on social media and other digital projects that highlighted D.C.’s local history. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in public history, the practice of sharing history with the public outside of academia. Emma has Stickler Syndrome and is hard of hearing, identities which have led her to prioritize researching and sharing Deaf and disability history in her work.

Pronouns: He/Him

Gary “Dylan” Miller is a distinguished martial artist, veteran, and community advocate. Raised in a hardworking, blue-collar family, he excelled academically and developed a strong sense of duty influenced by his grandfathers’ military service. His understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities began with insights from his mother, Kay Miller, who dedicated over 30 years to teaching special education in public schools. She remains his greatest inspiration and hero.

In 2007, Dylan discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and achieved a Black Belt after 12 years of rigorous training. He currently holds the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt. Dylan has taught and competed across multiple states and countries, including training US Air Force personnel in Germany. He served as an Infantryman in the US Army. Happily married to an active-duty service member, Dylan enjoys life with their four Aussiedoodles at home.

Dylan is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre with a concentration in Acting at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he maintains a 3.95 GPA and has received numerous academic awards. Dedicated to representing individuals with disabilities in media, Gary aims to create documentaries that raise awareness and advocate for disabled veterans, fostering inclusion and personal growth. Diagnosed with ADHD and several physical disabilities, including Horner’s Syndrome, Gary’s personal experiences and adversities inspire his commitment to stand up for others dealing with disabilities. He seeks to remind everyone of our shared humanity, urging us to recognize our interconnectedness and to love one another unconditionally.

Pronouns: She/Her

Pearl Zhang is a graduate student at Harvard University Graduate School of Education where she is enrolled in the Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology program. She cares deeply about disability justice, technology accessibility, and increasing educational equity for students. She is a recent graduate from Swarthmore College where she studied computer science and education studies. She is deeply grateful to be selected as a Tony Coelho Media Scholarship recipient and immensely thankful for NBCUniversal‘s support of her education.

Pronouns: She/Her/Ella

Cristina is an aspiring Product Designer, and Higher Education advocate passionate about storytelling. She graduated from Tufts University, located in Medford, MA, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Factors Engineering, a mix of engineering and psychology. She was born in Arequipa, Peru, grew up in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, and traveled throughout the Northeast for most of her young adulthood. She believes a more inclusive and equitable workforce is necessary to provide a diversity of thought. Her goal is to create a more accessible and inclusive landscape within media that represent people with disabilities, including invisible disabilities. As someone with an invisible disability, she wants to encourage others to take charge of their own stories that help reduce the stigma around mental health. She considers herself a mental health and inclusion advocate.

Pronouns: She/They

Taiwo Adebowale is a rising freshman who will attend Howard University this fall. Under the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, she is pursuing an education in strategic communications on the advertising track. Throughout high school, she studied literary arts at Carver Center for Arts and Technology, where she developed her voice as a writer and grew interest in various kinds of media. She has been recognized for her work, being one of the sixteen Scholastics Art and Writing Gold Portfolio recipients of 2023. After college, Taiwo plans on using her degree to advocate for more authentic representations of marginalized groups in media and eliminate pervasive the stereotypes within it. 

Pronouns: They/Them

Melina List is an undergraduate interdisciplinary studies major at Emerson College. Within the Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies, they study community building and storytelling, with a minor in Health and Society. At Emerson, they are the Co-President for Advocacy at Access: Student Disability Union, and the Editor in Chief of Generic Literary Magazine. Born and raised in the greater Boston area, List is a passionate writer, reader, artist, gardener, and friend.

Pronouns: She/Her

Gabrielle is a junior at the University of South Florida, studying humanities and cultural studies, film and new media studies, and political science. She is also a student researcher who focuses on the socio-political context of popular media products. Gabrielle aspires to be a screenwriter and creative producer whose work focuses on using research and academic theories to inspire narratives which actively counteract negative stereotypes surrounding marginalized groups. She hopes to shed light on the complexities in the existence and experiences of minorities, including the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled communities. She also plans to pursue further education in entertainment law and business with the intent of one day founding her own entertainment media company.

Pronouns: He/Him

Devon is a student at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a passion for technology. He aspires to integrate engineering solutions to make filming sets and equipment more accessible. Devon is interested in research around design and customized modifications, such as adjustable camera mounts, adaptive lighting systems, and inclusive sound equipment, to ensure that individuals with mobility, sensory, or visual disabilities could actively participate in the production process. He believes these innovations not only empower individuals with disabilities but also create an inclusive environment that fosters their creative contributions. By providing technical expertise and insights, Devon aims to promote accurate portrayals and challenge stereotypes by collaborating with casting directors, producers, and writers to ensure authentic representation of individuals with disabilities on screen. This can include utilizing AI-based facial recognition technologies to improve casting processes and ensure fair and inclusive representation of individuals with disabilities. This involves collaborating with casting directors, producers, and writers to ensure authentic representation of individuals with disabilities on screen.

Pronouns: They/Ve

Fennik is a film production student at Hofstra University, looking towards a future in production management or art direction. In addition to being a student, they are a freelance visual and performing artist who works in just about every medium they can get their hands on and loves working with clients and other artists to bring creative ideas to life. Fennik has a passion for storytelling and hopes to use it as a way of furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion both in their personal life and in their work. Their experience as a queer and trans person with several chronic illnesses has made them a resilient disability and LGBTQ+ rights activist, and proud mobility aid user. In their free time Fennik is an avid reader, an RPG enthusiast, and a dog lover. They are grateful to receive this scholarship to support their education, and look forward to continued collaboration and creation in the coming years of their degree program.

Pronouns: She/Her

Kadesha (she/her) is a third-year Public Policy Ph.D. student at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. As a doctoral student born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas, Kadesha moved to the United States in 2014 to pursue higher education studies. Her circuitous journey navigating the landscape of higher ed accommodations, combined with her previous work as an assistant Test Center manager for students with disabilities, coalesced to spark her interest in policy studies. Kadesha is currently pursuing the Social Justice track of her program, and she researches critical disability studies, students with disabilities, and access to higher education. Kadesha has a growing interest in global disability studies and exploring the use of podcasting to experiment with how researchers can lean on public media tools to bring marginalized voices into traditionally exclusionary spaces. Her career goals involve working with think tanks to explore accessible and participatory ways to bring people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups into policymaking spaces while engaging them on important issues and empowering them with agency to foster an active citizenry. She is honored to receive this prestigious award and thankful to NBC Universal & the Tony Coelho Media Scholarship Committee for supporting her studies.

Pronouns: She/Her

Ruby Lee is a filmmaker, photographer, and community organizer born and raised in Rainier Beach, Seattle. As a kid, she was introduced to grassroots artists and activists working to foster creative leadership in the community’s youth. Through free arts education programming in Seattle, Ruby explored realms of her identity at wonderful non-profit organizations like Youth In Focus, Rain City Rock Camp, The Vera Project, NFFTY, and more. Access to free arts education was vital to who she is as an artist today, and she believes in the unity between creative expression and social justice. As Ruby heads to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, she strives to create work she wishes she could have seen in her developmental years as a queer, BIPOC, neurodivergent woman. Ruby is passionate about advocating for the amplification of diverse youth voices and accessibility to art expression for all young people.  

Pronouns: She/Her/Ella

Cristina is an aspiring Product Designer, and Higher Education advocate passionate about storytelling. She graduated from Tufts University, located in Medford, MA, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Factors Engineering, a mix of engineering and psychology. She was born in Arequipa, Peru, grew up in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, and traveled throughout the Northeast for most of her young adulthood. She believes a more inclusive and equitable workforce is necessary to provide a diversity of thought. Her goal is to create a more accessible and inclusive landscape within media that represent people with disabilities, including invisible disabilities. As someone with an invisible disability, she wants to encourage others to take charge of their own stories that help reduce the stigma around mental health. She considers herself a mental health and inclusion advocate.

Pronouns: She/They

Taiwo Adebowale is a rising freshman who will attend Howard University this fall. Under the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, she is pursuing an education in strategic communications on the advertising track. Throughout high school, she studied literary arts at Carver Center for Arts and Technology, where she developed her voice as a writer and grew interest in various kinds of media. She has been recognized for her work, being one of the sixteen Scholastics Art and Writing Gold Portfolio recipients of 2023. After college, Taiwo plans on using her degree to advocate for more authentic representations of marginalized groups in media and eliminate pervasive the stereotypes within it. 

Pronouns: They/Them

Melina List is an undergraduate interdisciplinary studies major at Emerson College. Within the Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies, they study community building and storytelling, with a minor in Health and Society. At Emerson, they are the Co-President for Advocacy at Access: Student Disability Union, and the Editor in Chief of Generic Literary Magazine. Born and raised in the greater Boston area, List is a passionate writer, reader, artist, gardener, and friend.

Pronouns: She/Her

Gabrielle is a junior at the University of South Florida, studying humanities and cultural studies, film and new media studies, and political science. She is also a student researcher who focuses on the socio-political context of popular media products. Gabrielle aspires to be a screenwriter and creative producer whose work focuses on using research and academic theories to inspire narratives which actively counteract negative stereotypes surrounding marginalized groups. She hopes to shed light on the complexities in the existence and experiences of minorities, including the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled communities. She also plans to pursue further education in entertainment law and business with the intent of one day founding her own entertainment media company.

Pronouns: He/Him

Devon is a student at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a passion for technology. He aspires to integrate engineering solutions to make filming sets and equipment more accessible. Devon is interested in research around design and customized modifications, such as adjustable camera mounts, adaptive lighting systems, and inclusive sound equipment, to ensure that individuals with mobility, sensory, or visual disabilities could actively participate in the production process. He believes these innovations not only empower individuals with disabilities but also create an inclusive environment that fosters their creative contributions. By providing technical expertise and insights, Devon aims to promote accurate portrayals and challenge stereotypes by collaborating with casting directors, producers, and writers to ensure authentic representation of individuals with disabilities on screen. This can include utilizing AI-based facial recognition technologies to improve casting processes and ensure fair and inclusive representation of individuals with disabilities. This involves collaborating with casting directors, producers, and writers to ensure authentic representation of individuals with disabilities on screen.

Pronouns: They/Ve

Fennik is a film production student at Hofstra University, looking towards a future in production management or art direction. In addition to being a student, they are a freelance visual and performing artist who works in just about every medium they can get their hands on and loves working with clients and other artists to bring creative ideas to life. Fennik has a passion for storytelling and hopes to use it as a way of furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion both in their personal life and in their work. Their experience as a queer and trans person with several chronic illnesses has made them a resilient disability and LGBTQ+ rights activist, and proud mobility aid user. In their free time Fennik is an avid reader, an RPG enthusiast, and a dog lover. They are grateful to receive this scholarship to support their education, and look forward to continued collaboration and creation in the coming years of their degree program.

Pronouns: She/Her

Kadesha (she/her) is a third-year Public Policy Ph.D. student at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. As a doctoral student born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas, Kadesha moved to the United States in 2014 to pursue higher education studies. Her circuitous journey navigating the landscape of higher ed accommodations, combined with her previous work as an assistant Test Center manager for students with disabilities, coalesced to spark her interest in policy studies. Kadesha is currently pursuing the Social Justice track of her program, and she researches critical disability studies, students with disabilities, and access to higher education. Kadesha has a growing interest in global disability studies and exploring the use of podcasting to experiment with how researchers can lean on public media tools to bring marginalized voices into traditionally exclusionary spaces. Her career goals involve working with think tanks to explore accessible and participatory ways to bring people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups into policymaking spaces while engaging them on important issues and empowering them with agency to foster an active citizenry. She is honored to receive this prestigious award and thankful to NBC Universal & the Tony Coelho Media Scholarship Committee for supporting her studies.

Pronouns: She/Her

Ruby Lee is a filmmaker, photographer, and community organizer born and raised in Rainier Beach, Seattle. As a kid, she was introduced to grassroots artists and activists working to foster creative leadership in the community’s youth. Through free arts education programming in Seattle, Ruby explored realms of her identity at wonderful non-profit organizations like Youth In Focus, Rain City Rock Camp, The Vera Project, NFFTY, and more. Access to free arts education was vital to who she is as an artist today, and she believes in the unity between creative expression and social justice. As Ruby heads to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, she strives to create work she wishes she could have seen in her developmental years as a queer, BIPOC, neurodivergent woman. Ruby is passionate about advocating for the amplification of diverse youth voices and accessibility to art expression for all young people.  

Izabelle is an aspiring script writer and filmmaker with a passion for storytelling, which she believes is a powerful tool to drive change. She is starting at Towson University as a junior, and is seeking a bachelor’s degree in Electronic Media and Film. Her goal is to improve her storytelling skills to continue creating media that represent people with disabilities, especially invisible disabilities, as well as stories that help reduce stigma around mental health. She is starting a YouTube channel to host these stories in the form of webseries and short films, called “Cloudful TV.” She also has a newsletter on LinkedIn where she shares ways we can improve media representation for minority groups. Izabelle is a late diagnosed #ActuallyAutistic and ADHD. She also has physical invisible disabilities as a person with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and POTS. She considers herself a mental health and inclusion advocate.

Victoria Erdel Garcia received her bachelor’s degree in Honors Sociology from the University of Notre Dame and began working full-time for Starfish Project, an anti-human trafficking organization. She is currently working toward her Master of Science in Communication from Purdue University. After receiving her degree, Victoria plans to train one of the survivors of trafficking at Starfish Project to take over her position and then transition to building her business, Victorious Communication Coaching LLC. As the founder and coach, Victoria, who lives with chronic complex migraines and ADHD, uses her business to support disabled and neurodivergent clients with their writing and public speaking goals. She is also drafting a writing/public speaking guide for her clients and those interested in accessible pedagogical methods.

Rachel Handlin was born in New York City, grew up in Manhattan Beach, California, and now calls Hawai‘i home. In 2020, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography and Media from the California Institute of the Arts. She is currently enrolled in the MFA Photography program at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. Rachel is a multi-modal artist, a filmmaker, a large-format film photographer, a printmaker, and a sculptor. She is a keen observer of the world and its people, whose unique perspective reveals dimensions, beauties, and truths others may miss. Rachel is a loyal friend, a lover of films, and a joyful dancer. Her first short film, “15 grains of sand,” describes her experience as one of the few people in the world with Down syndrome to earn a college degree and shows how art can expand educational opportunities for people with disabilities. It won the Audience Award for Best Documentary Short at the 2021 Anchorage International Film Festival, and was an official selection for the 2021 Feeler Gauge Festival and Paris Short Film Festival, and the 2022 Woods Hole Film Festival. She is currently working on her second film, “STRANGERS ARE FRIENDS I HAVEN’T MET YET.”

N’Jhari Jackson known to most as Jay, is a Journalism Sports Media with a double minor in

Disabilities in Society and African American Studies. Jay is an Eagle Scout who has earned every available BSA Merit Badge and 24 Eagle Palm awards. N’Jhari hails from Tampa, FL. Having a love for poetry and storytelling, Jay is the author of four books with the latest being, “Thoughts, Just a Teen in Today’s America.” He has donated proceeds from the sale of his books to help fight pediatric cancer through V Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Research and the Hailey Bankhead Foundation. Against the odds, Jay was selected as a walk-on for University of Florida Gator football team. He co-authored an op-ed with UF professor Sharon Austin in Governing Magazine titled, “Can Cincinnati’s New Mayor Address Its Economic Woes?” He has several publishing credits and continues to improve in multimedia reporting. Jay is the founder of four nonprofit organizations: NJs-Love-to-the-Rescue, Boys Read with Pride, Pajama Buddy Voyage, and Blankets for Vets. Jay has been able to study abroad thanks to scholarships and generous donations from UF alumni.

Jay is passionate about amplifying the voices of people with disabilities and exploring disability rights including athletes with disabilities. He hopes to be able to report and advocate sports law and disability rights in the sports arena.

Julia Métraux is a student at the University of California, Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, on the narrative writing track. She is the founder and president of her journalism school’s Disabled Journalists Association chapter. Métraux’s own experiences within the healthcare system as someone with a rare disease make her passionate about reporting on healthcare inequities, as well as disability justice. After graduating from her program, Métraux hopes to continue reporting on disability issues, as well as hanging out with her Havanese dog, Lucky. 

Melanie Ojwang, a child of the South, is an aspiring TV writer striving to make escapism more inclusive. A Fulbright Program and VONA/Voices alum, Melanie is currently studying Writing and Producing for Television at Loyola Marymount University. Her writing aims to explore the spectrum of neurodivergence through underrepresented characters in hopes of addressing stigma and limited expectations. 

Nancy Pickett is a documentary filmmaker with a passion for disability advocacy. She independently produced her first feature-length film, a documentary about pediatric cancer, in high school. The Golden Truth is available for streaming on Amazon Prime. Her short films, which cover a range of topics from human trafficking to healthcare reform, have been recognized by film festivals across the country. After graduating summa cum laude with her bachelor’s degree in telecommunication from the University of Florida, Nancy decided to pursue her master’s degree in Public Interest Communication where she’s learning how to make her films go beyond raising awareness to create meaningful social change. Her latest project, a docu-series about disparities in healthcare, will also include resources such as a curriculum for medical students to learn about health equity, a website for patients navigating chronic illness, and a framework for accessible filmmaking practices. She is honored to be selected as a Tony Coelho Media Scholarship recipient and thankful for NBCUniversal‘s support of her education. 

Tea Slater (they/then) is an MPH candidate at George Washington University focusing on health communication. Their childhood experiences with structural and medical racism and ablism shaped their lifelong ambition to create a more equitable society. They have spent the last five years researching issues in the health care field that affect different communities and learned the value of stories in promoting change. They hope to use the skills learned in their program to effectively engage marginalized communities via authentic representation. Their ultimate career goals are to blend their love of fiction and passion for justice to create compelling stories via podcasts, novels, and television shows to inform and motivate people into disability and health action. They are grateful to receive this scholarship to support their dreams.

Pronouns: They/Them

Desmond Bunting is a rising sophomore this year at Luther College studying Vocal Performance and Sociology with a minor in German. They’ve been living on the Autism spectrum and with other disabilities as well being neuro-divergent has given them the drive to truly take life by the reins and create a space for people of minority groups to feel represented. Desmond was raised to understand the importance of honing your own voice, loves performing, and thrives in any type of musical setting. During this school year, they spent their time cultivating their own personal morals to take with them into the world of entertainment. Desmond is grateful for this opportunity to pursue their dreams, and they hope to one day open a non-profit to help bring music and music education to underfunded and inner-city schools around the country with students who meet the intersection of race, gender, disability, and other minority groups. They also love to cook for their friends and family, binge watch the Great British Baking Show, and cuddle with cats.

Pronouns: She/They

Sabian Castalia is a comedic storyteller and aspiring creative producer in the film & television industry. She attends Brooklyn College where she is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Film Production while gaining professional coordination experience at a media production company. In her free time, she creates short films centered around navigating the world as a queer person with disabilities. As a creative producer, she aims to destigmatize disabilities by normalizing themes of humor, empathy, and joy in the stories told about the community. Sabian is deeply honored to receive the 2021 NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship so she can continue working toward a future as a community-minded collaborator in the film industry.

Pronouns: He/Him

Israel is a proud first-generation gay Latinx Public Health and Social Justice advocate. He is working to help remove the barriers that block marginalized communities from achieving their fullest health potential. Israel completed his Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Science-Dietetics from the University of California Berkeley in May 2019. As an undergraduate student, Israel worked in various roles relating to improving health outcomes, research, health promotion, and nutrition security for marginalized communities at Berkeley Food Pantries, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, UCSF Children’s Hospital of Oakland, and UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. In July 2020, he completed his year-long clinical nutrition-focused dietetic internship at UCSF Medical Center, completing Adult and Pediatric Nutrition rotations. Since graduating, Israel has played a prominent role in improving overall health outcomes for marginalized communities at Petaluma Health Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Fall 2021, Israel will start his Master of Public Health Nutrition program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. After obtaining his Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential, he plans to continue promoting evidence-based preventive health through mass media efforts, and advocating for healthcare policies that support, heal, and not hurt underrepresented communities that include individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+, and Latinx people.

Pronouns: He/Him

Zane Landin is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations and a Minor in Philosophy at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Landin is currently interning with General Motors as a Global Communications Intern with GM Brand and got involved in ‘GM Able,’ which is GM’s disability employee resource group (ERG). He supported GM’s Disability Pride Month efforts for social media, internal communications, and storytelling. Landin is the founder and CEO of PositiveVibes Magazine, which is a digital magazine showcasing the thematic stories of mental health, disability, wellness, and spirituality. He is currently helping as a volunteer social media and public relations development intern for Accessible Festivals, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to making the musical festival space accessible and inclusive. Landin is a past intern with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) where he supported advocacy and policy matters. Landin is currently spearheading efforts at his university to begin a disability cultural center (DCC) and beginning a student organization – Empowered Disabilities.

Pronouns: He/Him

Chris Lukens is an aspiring screenwriter who seeks to create films that see the world through a different lens than traditional Hollywood blockbusters while empowering underserved and underrepresented communities. He is a first-year Master of Fine Arts student in the Writing for the Screen Program at Loyola Marymount University. One of the main goals of Chris’ work is to write films in which emotional and mental disabilities are not only de-stigmatized but portrayed as manageable parts of life, rather than flaws to be defeated.

Pronouns: She/Her

With a background in technology, Misha is passionate about the intersection of communications and technology in shaping how and when we communicate. By pursuing a Master of Business Administration at Columbia University, focused on business communications and organizational dynamics, Misha hopes to work as an Executive Communications Director responsible for global communications strategies within a technology company. While the spectrum of disabilities is broad, she believes that we can build a more inclusive future with the right mindset and optimal technology solutions.

Pronouns: She/Her

Tavleen Tarrant is a 26-year-old freelance journalist who will be attending the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism in the fall for her Master of Science in Journalism. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland in psychology and international relations and a Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences from the University of New South Wales in International Relations, graduating with first-class honors. She is most passionate about social justice, particularly when it comes to gender and labor issues in the United States and abroad. She is excited to utilize her passion for international relations and world politics during her upcoming journalism degree and to explore the world of documentary filmmaking, which she will be specializing in during her upcoming graduate program.

She is also keen to further explore disability rights issues and write more articles about disability including topics such as chronic pain, disability justice, developmental disabilities, and learning disabilities, during her time at Columbia.

Pronouns: She/Her

Allison Wallis is a graduate student at the Carter Institute of Journalism at New York University and works as a freelance journalist on the disability beat. She earned a graduate certificate in Disability and Diversity Studies from the University of Hawai’i after leaving the hospitality industry due to her disabilities. Much of her work explores the effects of her disabilities and chronic pain on her body and mind and she has been published in outlets such as The Washington Post, Healthline, and Electric Literature. She is active on social media and helps fellow chronically ill and disabled people learn how to navigate the medical system. An ambulatory wheelchair user, she loves a good, long ramp because rolling down it feels like flying. Allison lives on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii with her daughter Abigail, husband Brandon, Koa the Tripod dog, and Rosie the chinchilla.

Pronouns: she/her

Sianna Eldert is 17 years old and is attending Full Sail University this fall. She will be working towards a Bachelor’s of Science in Media Communications. When Sianna was 12, she became sick with a cluster of illnesses, most of which fall under the disability Dysautonomia. Those chronic illnesses include: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Fibromyalgia, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). Sianna is a hard worker and is very involved in Scouting BSA, and currently an Eagle Scout Candidate working on a project that will help raise awareness about Dysautonomia.

Pronouns: she/her

Ashlyn Guidry is an aspiring filmmaker who wants to make films that represent the marginalized communities. She attends the University of New Orleans where she is pursuing her Masters in Fine Arts in Film Production. As someone with a disability and as a black woman in America, she wants to share her stories on the big screen and through streaming. She wants to create stories that people with disabilities can identify with.

Pronouns: she/her

Cassidy Huff is an eighteen-year-old singer-songwriter and actress from Seattle, Washington. Cassidy has performed on stages all over the world including the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and Lincoln Center in New York City. Cassidy is honored to receive this scholarship and be able to put it towards her education at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, a conservatory for the performing arts in Los Angeles, where she will be pursuing her BFA in Musical Theater! Cassidy would like to thank everyone at NBCUniversal for giving her this phenomenal opportunity!

Pronouns: she/her

Kristin Kumagawa is a rising sophomore at Chapman University and hopes to graduate as a double major in Communication and Public Relations and Advertising. She was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in 2014, which has caused her to make more conscious choices to live life with as few regrets as possible. Having just finished her first year in college alongside her service dog, Mailie, she is incredibly grateful to be able to pursue a career in a field with so many possibilities. She has loved being able to work on films, study media and social sciences, and meet people with similar interests.

Pronouns: she/her

Raised in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Barbara grew up in a household where every Sunday her dad would make her read the paper and her mom would instill the importance of speaking up against injustices and ill-treatment. From a very young age, she was drawn to politics and advocacy, which in turn made her volunteer for a local representative’s campaign at the age of twelve. Since then, she has been active in politics and media by being part of a student-run publication and several national and federal campaigns. Throughout her experiences and her daily life, she spends time educating people about “invisible” illnesses and disabilities. She considers each of these interactions as a way of moving forward how society treats disabled people. Her goal in the future is to obtain direct experience in media where she can showcase various disabilities in an accurate and positive light.

Pronouns: he/him

Tyler Schulze is a 22-year-old undergraduate student majoring in Film Production and Content Development with a focus on Screenwriting. He has worked on film projects as an intern during his summers and enjoys creating shorts during his free time. Tyler has a passion for storytelling and has put together writing teams for working on film and television scripts. He enjoys having a “front seat” for the whole process of bringing a project to life through the magic of scriptwriting, cinematography, editing, directing, and production. For him, working on these projects never feels like work but instead feels like a privilege. By earning his degree in Film Production and Content Development Tyler wants to be the example that shows others that you can rise above the challenges life gives you and find your own way through to your dreams no matter what roadblocks may be in your way. It is his hope that this degree will provide him with a bigger platform that he can use to promote this message and encourage others to go for their dreams!

Pronouns: they/he

Andrew “Ondrew” Tillotson (they/he) is an aspiring data scientist, political organizer, and activist dedicated to fighting socioeconomic and environmental injustice. A recent graduate of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus, they had the honor of serving as the President and first-ever Advocacy Coordinator at the Disabled Student Cultural Center, where they remain a proud advisor. Whether in Minneapolis or in their hometown of DeKalb, IL, he has been proud to help hundreds of students as a mentor and tutor by work at the YMCA, TRIO Upward Bound, and through his tutoring service. He is excited to start working towards a degree in Data Science this fall, and they aim to learn how to use this skillset as a policy analyst, campaign manager, or major contributor to a political advocacy group. In his free time, he writes poetry, makes music under the aliases ondrew, sangfroids, and joculatrix, make digital art, and enjoys relaxing outside.

Pronouns: she/her

Jessie Zhang is a d/Deaf and hard of hearing second generation Chinese American woman (she/her). Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Jessie attended the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle, WA to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Informatics and a minor in Diversity. During her time in college, Jessie advocated for d/Deaf and disabled students, and studied abroad in London and Seoul. Jessie is returning to the UW to pursue her Master of Science in Human Centered Design and Engineering (HCDE). She hopes to work in the media, entertainment, and communications industry as a researcher, designer, or storyteller who shares stories that reflect authentic human experiences. In her free time, she enjoys watching animated films, traveling, and trying new recipes. The last thing she made was Hawaiian butter mochi muffins.

Ryan Harman grew up in rural northern Idaho. He is currently working towards his MFA in film. He has a BA in architecture from Columbia University and worked in contemporary art before resuming his education. Following graduation, he aspires to work as a writer and director for film and television.

I’m a 20-year-old college student working towards a BFA in Illustration, specifically to be a concept artist for video games, animation, and a comic creator. I’m incredibly passionate about storytelling, but I have always noticed the lack of not only minority representation, but positive minority rep. As a member of several minority groups, including being adopted, African-American, and disabled, I’m well accustomed to my disabilities and other factors being used as token characters, simply to check a box for “diversity.” It was disappointing, so I figured if it wasn’t happening the way I wanted, then I might as well do it myself. My goal is to be a force for representing disabilities in creative media as something other than negative or just an inconvenience. I hope for others to look to my work and not only be able to relate to the characters, but to see the potential to go beyond and be more than their disabilities. We all deserve to have the characters we resonate with be so much more than just a label. There’s no reason to settle when it comes to representation.

From a young age, I was attracted to the field of communications and media.  The seldom presence of people with disabilities in the media angered and bothered me, and my dissatisfaction gradually evolved into a dream of becoming a media personality.  I was grateful when I received the opportunity to become a radio talk show host at BFM 91.2 in Biratnagar, Nepal. I held that position for two and a half years, making me the first blind person in my hometown to take on that role.  I am currently a PhD student in the field of communication and information sciences at the University of Hawaii where I study media accessibility and audio description. I investigate the emerging field of audio description, and how it is capacitating the formation of new social networks.  It is my hope that my research will increase the participation of individuals with disabilities (as knowledge producers and consumers) in the fields of media and communication, and change the nature of audio description worldwide.

Tara Olivia Martens is a Communications undergraduate with a minor in Global Studies. Martens is a non-traditional return student who has accepted the challenges of higher education and is passionate for the expression of writing, singing jazz standards, thinking outside the box, and traveling on every available opportunity. In her free time, she writes as a journalist and photojournalism. Martens opened her first photo gallery of post-field research expeditions that took place while she was in Africa in 2015. Advocating for herself and others has been of deep importance in her life and receiving a higher education, she believes, plays a crucial role in helping the community.

Natalia Pozuelo-Arbide, a Spaniard-American, is a 21-year-old studying Integrated Marketing Communication & Spanish Studies at John Carroll University, with the goal of a minor in Political Science. Natalia is the 2019-2020 Vice President of JCU’s collegiate chapter of the American Marketing Association. During the summer of 2019 as a Cleveland Clinic marketing communication intern, Natalia developed a strong passion for effective communication within the healthcare field. She also enjoys photography and campaign tactics in the fashion industry;. She is a member of the Business of Fashion, as she enjoys learning the latest global marketing communication trends.

Matthew Shifrin is a singer, accordionist, and composer. He studies singing and accordion at the New England Conservatory of Music. He recently had his acting debut as a blind subway musician in Mark Turtletaub’s “Puzzle” with Kelly McDonald, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is available for streaming on Amazon. Matthew loves helping blind people enjoy previously inaccessible forms of entertainment. He and a friend created a system of text-based instructions which let blind people build Lego sets independently. The system has been featured in Popular Science, MentalFloss, Time for Kids, Msn, Aol, and on YouTube, where PBS’s Documentary “How Lego Helps Blind People See” has received over 85000 views. He’s now collaborating with Lego to generate text-based instructions using artificial intelligence.

With an engineer from the MIT Media Lab, Matthew started Project Daredevil, a start-up which creates virtual-reality comics for the blind using 3D sound, and a motion simulating helmet, which affects the vestibular system, simulating motions such as flipping and flying. Matthew’s TED talk on creativity and accessibility is available here.

Nikita Sibley is a 24-year-old Media and Strategic Communications Masters student at George Washington University, who received his Bachelors of Science in Political Science at Florida State University, and is honored to be one of the eight recipients of the prestigious NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship. His past political experience includes volunteering on various presidential campaigns, interning for the state party, interning for the minority leader for Florida’s the House of Representatives, as well as being a regional field director for a congressional campaign and a press assistant for a gubernatorial campaign. Nikita believes in the ability of good government to play a positive role in the promotion of social justice. Due to this deep-held belief, he is now transitioning towards a career in political communications. Being a part of the disability community himself, by way of a traumatic brain injury suffered during his freshman year of college, Nikita truly believes much good can be done by strengthening the bridge between the disability community and the public sector, as well as the importance/value of much-needed representation, especially from those in the disabled community.

Born and raised just outside of Hartford, Connecticut, Lindsay Varney is a pure New Englander at heart despite her current residency in Los Angeles, California where she is completing her degree as a double major in Film & Television Production and Screenwriting at Loyola Marymount University. Passionate about entertainment in a variety of ways, Lindsay is a current intern at Live Nation Entertainment where she works on the creative production team, writing and producing video content for music artists such as Blink-182, Beck, Cage the Elephant, Wiz Khalifa, The Struts, Spoon, and many more. Knowing writing is her ultimate career goal, Lindsay has also taken advantage of numerous other writing opportunities like interning for the late-night television show CONAN and writing music blogs and reviews published on Live Nation’s own setlist.fm website. Inspired by her own heroes in both the entertainment and disability community such as Michael J Fox, Lindsay has worked closely with the MDA and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Most recently taking part in the conceptualization of the new children’s dialysis and infusion center in Connecticut, Lindsay hopes to use what she’s learned as a patient and advocate to one day create her own foundation dedicated to helping people with rare genetic disorders. She is absolutely elated and grateful to be one of the recipients of the 2019 NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship and will use it to further her education in a field that has the power to create change even by the simplest tweaks in dialog both on and off the page.

Ryan Harman grew up in rural northern Idaho. He is currently working towards his MFA in film. He has a BA in architecture from Columbia University and worked in contemporary art before resuming his education. Following graduation he aspires to work as a writer and director for film and television.

Matthew Shifrin is a singer, accordionist, and composer. He studies singing and Accordion at the New England Conservatory of Music. He recently had his acting debut as a blind subway musician in Mark Turtletaub’s “Puzzle”, with Kelly McDonald, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and is available for streaming on Amazon. Matthew loves helping blind people enjoy previously inaccessible forms of entertainment. He and a friend created a system of text-based instructions which let blind people build Lego sets independently. The system has been featured in Popular Science, MentalFloss, Time for Kids, Msn, Aol, and on YouTube, where PBS’s Documentary “How Lego Helps Blind People See” has received over 85000 views. He’s now collaborating with Lego to generate text-based instructions using artificial intelligence.

With an engineer from the MIT Media Lab, Matthew started Project Daredevil, a start-up which creates Virtual-reality comics for the blind using 3D sound, and a motion simulating helmet, which affects the vestibular system, simulating motions such as flipping and flying. Matthew’s TED talk on creativity and accessibility is available to watch on YouTube.

Born and raised just outside of Hartford, Connecticut, Lindsay Varney is a pure New Englander at heart despite her current residency in Los Angeles, California where she is completing her degree as a double major in Film & Television Production and Screenwriting at Loyola Marymount University. Passionate about entertainment in a variety of ways, Lindsay is a current intern at Live Nation Entertainment where she works on the creative production team, writing and producing video content for music artists such as Blink 182, Beck, Cage the Elephant, Wiz Khalifa, The Struts, Spoon, and many more. Knowing writing is her ultimate career goal, Lindsay has also taken advantage of numerous other writing opportunities like interning for the late night television show CONAN and writing music blogs and reviews published on Live Nation’s own setlist.fm website. Inspired by her own heroes in both the entertainment and disability community such as Michael J Fox, Lindsay has worked closely with the MDA and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Most recently taking part in the conceptualization of the new children’s dialysis and infusion center in Connecticut, Lindsay hopes to use what she’s learned as a patient and advocate to one day create her own foundation dedicated to helping people with rare genetic disorders. She is absolutely elated and grateful to be one of the recipients of the 2019 NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship and will use it to further her education in a field that has the power to create change even by the simplest tweaks in dialog both on and off the page.

Lara Ameen is a screenwriter, genre fiction writer, disability activist, and PhD student in Education with an emphasis in Disability Studies at Chapman University. She received a Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Berkeley in Film Studies with a minor in Disability Studies. She has given lectures and presented on panels with prominent actors, writers, and showrunners about disability representation in the media at American University, Chapman University, CalArts, CSUN, and UCLA. Her scripts have placed in Screencraft’s Bahamas Screenwriters Residency Program, the Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition, and the Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition. Passionate about intersectional disability representation, she writes TV drama pilots, short film scripts, and paranormal fantasy novellas about queer disabled characters who save the world. In the future, she hopes to publish a series of fantasy novels and become a showrunner for a successful supernatural/sci-fi/fantasy TV drama series that features a diverse cast of disabled characters portrayed by disabled actors.

Téa Blumer is an artist, designer, and mental health advocate majoring in Art + Design and minoring in Graphic Design. In 2018, her compassion, integrity, and devotion to volunteerism led her to be named the Most Outstanding Overall Woman at her university, in addition to receiving the 2018 Outstanding Student Volunteer Award. She strives to build allied communities like the Adopted Students Union that she co-founded in her freshman year. As a member of several marginalized groups, including being disabled, adopted, Asian-American, and female, she has an opportunity to understand and empathize within various communities. Her mission is to connect with these groups and share their stories with the world. Through storytelling, she believes that increasing positive exposure of the disabled community will increase empathy and promote open-mindedness within the world.

Bridget Fornaro is a 23-year-old journalism/public relations major at California State University, Northridge. She is apart of the National Millennial Community and her school’s chapter of PRSSA, and has worked at CSUN’s Marketing & Communications Department as a student writer. Fornaro also has interned with Warner Music Group, CBS, and FOX Television. She is on track to graduate in May 2019.

Ashley J. Hicks is excited and humbled by the opportunity to be one of the eight recipients of this award. After spending the last eight years creating art in Chicago, she decided that it was time to take her artistic journey to the next level by pursuing her MFA in performance. In addition to acting, Ashley is also a playwright and solo performance artist. In 2016, she wrote and performed in a solo show called Beautifully Broken, which highlights the challenges she faces as an artist with Albinism. Ashley is committed to helping create work that gives underrepresented and misrepresented individuals, particularly those of the disabled community, a voice within the entertainment community. She looks forward to the next phase of her artistic evolution through the rigorous training at American Conservatory Theater.

Gabriela holds a degree in architecture from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. In 2012 she founded DENA, a transdisciplinary studio in which she began her experimentation with architecture, art, and film. Currently she is pursuing a master´s degree at Parsons in New York City where she is also a Graduate Student Fellow for Art & Social Justice at the Vera List Center for Art and Politics. She is interested in socially engaged art practices that challenge traditional boundaries. Her current academic work lies at the intersection of feminism with spatial politics and the production of space.

Sena Pottackal is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Public Relations (PR) and Corporate Communication at New York University (NYU). Pottackal earned an associate degree in General Communications from Camden County College, and then graduated summa cum laude from Rowan University with a major in PR and double minors in Advertising and Communication Studies. As a volunteer at Rowan’s student-run PR firm, Pottackal served a nonprofit and consequently realized an opportunity to catalyze positive social change through PR. She uses traditional and social media to encourage the inclusion and empowerment of individuals with disabilities. During this past academic year, Pottackal completed the NYU Social Sector Leadership Diversity Fellowship; represented students with disabilities at NYU as a student senator at-large; and lobbied for disability rights with the National Federation of the Blind on Capitol Hill. Following graduation, Pottackal plans to run for office and continue advocating for disability rights. Pottackal’s communication-related aspirations include working with L’Oréal to create an ad campaign celebrating the beauty of disabled individuals; providing PR for a nonprofit that serves the disability community; and starting a benefit corporation which will provide PR services and allocate a portion of its profits to fund scholarships for students with disabilities.

Laurel Schwartz is passionately driven to tell the stories that change the world. In the last decade, she has worked for ad and PR agencies, politicians, non-profits, television stations, and communications offices to help companies tell their stories in multimedia and online spaces. While her strongest passion is video production, she sees great promise in the digital media space. In the advertising world, she has helped Fortune 500 companies such as McDonald’s, Marshall’s, and Allstate tell their stories. Now she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Entrepreneurship and Social Policy at Columbia University, where she is merging her multimedia skills with her social advocacy passions. Laurel has been making content about her life with Crohn’s disease since she was a young teen. What started as a childhood hobby came full-circle when her self-produced and directed documentary, “Running Breathless,” made its festival debut and won the Founders’ Award at ReelAbilities NYC 2018. Additionally, her newest project about adolescent development is currently in production. Laurel truly believes that representation can change the world and that the media we consume tells us who and how we can be by setting the limits and expectations. When we start to tell more stories by and about people with disabilities we begin to expand the horizon of what is possible. Laurel is deeply honored to be recognized by NBCUniversal and AAPD.

Sarah Zimmer will be a first-year graduate student this fall at Emerson College pursuing an MA in Theatre Education for Community Engagement. Sarah attended Dickinson College and received a BA in History and Theatre Arts. During her undergraduate career, she was involved in several projects merging the arts and community engagement, notably her work addressing campus mental health resources and discussion around the musical Next to Normal, in which she also performed. Since her move to Boston, Sarah has worked at various teen and youth performing arts programs such as the Boch Center and The Chestnut Hill Summer Camp. Sarah has interned at Urbanity Dance as an education and community engagement intern, strengthening their Movement Mends program bringing access to dance to underserved communities and will intern at Boston Lyric Opera in the fall. Sarah strives to merge arts and activism, both in creative pursuits and active engagement, to open up discussion, address the stigmatization of those with mental illness and inadequate systemic resources, and tell their stories.