Disability Lead

Man and woman conversing, facing each other, she is smiling. More people are facing away in the background.

Also by the Author

Headshots of four people are side by side. From left to right: Karen Tamley, Joyce Otuwa, Kira Meskin Schiff, Michelle Friedman.

Disabled Women We're Honored To Know

As we close out Women's History Month, we dipped back into the Disability Lead archives to highlight a few disabled women in our Network that we're honored to know. Here are their stories.

Disability Lead

Mar 29, 2023

black and white photo of Judy Heumann seated in her wheelchair in front of a microphone. Her hair is short and she's wearing wire-frame glasses and a jacket. A "sign 504" button is on her jacket.

Op Ed

Judy Heumann Was The Kind of Disabled Leader We Want To Be

Legendary disability activist, Judy Heumann, is now a disabled ancestor. Since her death earlier this month, we've been reflecting on how she epitomized what disability leadership can be.

Disability Lead

Mar 28, 2023

Partner Story

Funder Highlight: Borealis Philanthropy

The Disability Inclusion Fund (DIF) is a donor collaborative fund housed at Borealis Philanthropy to support U.S. groups run by and for people with disabilities to lead transformational change. Launched in 2019, the DIF is a first-of-its-kind fund and one of the largest philanthropic funds investing in disability inclusion. DIF is supported by the President’s Council on Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy, which comprises foundation presidents committed to disability inclusion as part of improving diversity, equity, and inclusion. Among the President’s Council members are two additional Disability Lead project funders, the Chicago Community Trust and the MacArthur Foundation.

Disability Lead

Dec 19, 2022

Our 2023 Fellows class. Upper row: Riley Spreadbury, Sydney Holman, Mike Blight, Matthew Silva, Marina Salman, Lincoln Edwards, Jennifer "JP" Price, Brittney Hyde Lower row: Amy Johnson, Ana Monga, Frank Lally, Gizelle Clemens, Keys Felton, Mads Oliver, Kruti Shah, Garcsa Brooks.

Announcement

Bringing Intersectional Disability Leadership Into 2023

On December 15th, Disability Lead announced its class of 16 Fellows for our 2023 Institute! These accomplished leaders represent a diverse group of professionals across Chicago’s nonprofit, corporate, public, and small business sectors.In addition, three new individuals were welcomed to the Network as Members growing our Network to over 200 diverse leaders with disabilities.

Disability Lead

Dec 15, 2022

Member Story

Member Highlight: Azeema Akram

Disability Lead Member Azeema Akram stepped into a new role as an Administrative Law Judge at the Illinois Human Rights Commission (HRC) this past year. In the position, she not only presides over claims of unlawful discrimination but leads with her full self as a disabled woman of color. Azeema attributes her career advancements to opportunities to connect and be mentored by other attorneys with disabilities.

Disability Lead

Dec 12, 2022

Announcement

Meet Our New Board Members!

On August 25, Disability Lead’s Board of Directors elected and welcomed two new members: Azeema Akram and Natae Eaves.

Disability Lead

Sep 1, 2022