February is Black History Month, a time to honor the achievements and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing fight for equity and inclusion — values that are deeply connected to the mission of the Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living (NNCIL).
While we often hear the stories of civil rights leaders, the voices of Black people with disabilities are frequently overlooked, despite their profound impact on both the disability and civil rights movements. Many faced intersecting barriers of systemic racism and ableism, yet their advocacy and leadership helped shape the path toward justice and equality.
This month, we celebrate the lives and legacies of trailblazers like:
- Maya Angelou: The acclaimed poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist lived with selective mutism as a child due to trauma. Her powerful words and activism continue to inspire generations to fight for justice and equity.
- Claudia Gordon: The first deaf Black female attorney in the United States, Gordon has been a tireless advocate for disability rights, focusing on anti-discrimination policies and accessibility within the government and beyond.
- Brad Lomax: A disability rights activist and member of the Black Panther Party, Lomax played a key role in the historic 504 Sit-in, which led to the implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. His leadership highlighted the power of solidarity between the disability rights and civil rights movements.
- Harriet Tubman: Widely known for her role in the Underground Railroad, Tubman lived with epilepsy after a traumatic brain injury. Despite her challenges, she led countless enslaved people to freedom.
- Fannie Lou Hamer: A civil rights activist and community organizer, Hamer had polio as a child and later suffered permanent injuries from police brutality. She co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, advocating fiercely for voting rights and racial justice.
- Johnnie Lacy: A pioneering disability rights activist, Lacy contracted polio at 19, which left her paralyzed. Despite facing racial and disability discrimination, she earned a master’s degree in speech pathology and became a leader in the independent living movement, advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, especially within communities of color.
- Leroy Moore: A contemporary activist, poet, and founder of the Krip-Hop Nation, Moore, who has cerebral palsy, uses art and music to advocate for disabled people, especially within the Black community. His work challenges ableism and amplifies the voices of disabled artists worldwide.
- Sylvia Walker: A trailblazer in disability policy, Sylvia Walker was blind and dedicated her career to advancing civil rights and accessibility for people with disabilities. As a researcher and educator, she focused on the experiences of people of color with disabilities, working to address the disparities in education, employment, and healthcare.
At NNCIL, we believe that true equity means recognizing and addressing the unique experiences of people living at the intersection of race and disability. This Black History Month, we honor these leaders and commit to amplifying diverse voices, challenging systemic barriers, and working toward a more inclusive future for all.
Let’s celebrate, reflect, and continue the work they started — because Black history is disability history, and both are vital to understanding the full story of justice and equality in America.
