Emily Blum

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

Also by the Author

A dark purple background reads, "Disability Leadership Summit." Underneath is a photo of Disability Lead's Executive Director Emily Blum, a white woman with shoulder-length dark brown hair wearing a purple top. To the left of Emily reads, "Executive Director's Reflection: 4 Lessons for Year 2.

Disability Leadership Summit: 4 Lessons for Year 2

Emily Blum offers a moment of reflection from this year's inaugural Disability Leadership Summit and provides readers with Disability Lead's 4 lessons for Year 2.

Emily Blum

Apr 18, 2024

A woman walks down a hallway next to another woman using a wheelchair. They are in an office building and are moving away from the camera.

Op Ed

We Need To Do More To Include Disabled Employees

In an op-ed for Crain's Chicago Business, Disability Lead Executive Director Emily Blum urges companies to move beyond compliance with the minimum, and to commit to more disability-inclusive workplaces.

Emily Blum

Oct 17, 2023

Collab

We're Sunsetting the Collab

In November 2021, Disability Lead launched the Collab, community of practice to learn with and from one another and support a collective vision toward racial equity and disability justice. We worked hard to attract and support Collab members and our deepest hope was that practitioners of racial equity and disability justice would find ways to partner together and find fellowship as we fight for our collective liberation. We hoped that the Collab, ultimately, would be self-sustaining, as its members would drive these conversations, connections and events. Now, nearly a year and half later, we have made the tough decision to sunset the Collab.

Emily Blum

Aug 14, 2023

Origami paper boats against a white backdrop. A dozen orange boats are led by a purple one in front.

Announcement

Bringing Disability Lead to More Communities

Seven years ago, we became the nation’s only disabled-led organization that both develops leaders with disabilities and connects them to civic and professional opportunities. As the only program of its kind in the U.S., we’ve long known that pipelines of disabled leadership are needed in all spaces and cities. We are excited to announce that we are in conversation with partners in Pittsburgh and have been listening and learning so much!

Emily Blum

Apr 24, 2023

From left to right, upper row: Katherine Vakil, Kruti Shah, Justine Fedak, Rachel Arfa, Michele Lee, Bridget Hayman, Chris Huff, Claire McNorton. From left to right, lower row: Fya, Maureen Burns, Jae Jin Pak, TJ Gordon, Azeema Akram, Amber Smock, Emily Blum, Emily Harris.

Connections

Connections Update: Kicking off 2023

Disability Lead Members hit the ground running in 2023! Here are some highlights of new connections to opportunities that let their leadership shine.

Emily Blum

Apr 4, 2023

3 friends sitting on a bench, laughing. On the left is a black man wearing a beanie and flannel jacket. In the middle is a black woman wearing an orange sweater. The brown woman on the right is wearing a red sweater.

Collab

Black History Month Reflections and Celebrations

Emily Blum offers a moment of reflection this Black History Month to consider and celebrate the stories and work of black disabled leaders over the past and current year.

Emily Blum

Feb 3, 2023