Black History Month: Honoring Black Disabled Trailblazers
Black History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. But one group that often goes unrecognized is Black disabled individuals - those who have shaped history while navigating both racial and disability-related barriers. At Kindness Evolves, we believe in uplifting every individual’s story, especially those who have paved the way for inclusion and accessibility.
Why It’s Important to Recognize Black Disabled History
Black disabled individuals have played vital roles in activism, art, politics, and social justice. Yet, their disabilities are often erased from the narratives we hear. By recognizing their full stories, we not only honor their impact but also advocate for a world that acknowledges and supports people at every intersection of identity.
Black Disabled Trailblazers You Should Know
1. Audre Lorde (1934–1992)
Audre Lorde was a Black lesbian feminist, poet, and activist who dedicated her life to fighting injustice. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1978, she was open about her experiences with illness and disability, using her writing to challenge ableism, racism, and sexism. Her book The Cancer Journals is a powerful testament to living unapologetically in one’s truth. Lorde believed in the power of collective care, a value that resonates deeply with caregiving communities today.
2. Harriet Tubman (1822–1913)
Most people know Harriet Tubman as the fearless abolitionist who led enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad. But fewer know that she lived with epilepsy and chronic pain, conditions resulting from a traumatic head injury in childhood. Despite these challenges, she remained an unstoppable force for justice, later advocating for disability rights and access to healthcare for freed Black Americans.
3. Fannie Lou Hamer (1917–1977)
Fannie Lou Hamer was a civil rights leader who fought for Black voting rights in the 1960s. She had polio as a child and later suffered permanent health complications from medical abuse. Despite this, she became a powerful speaker and activist, co-founding the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and famously declaring, “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Hamer’s work reminds us that disability and activism often go hand in hand.
4. Brad Lomax (1950–1984)
Brad Lomax was a key figure in both the disability rights and civil rights movements. As a Black Panther member and wheelchair user with multiple sclerosis, he played a crucial role in connecting these two struggles. He participated in the famous 504 Sit-in, a protest that led to the first major disability civil rights legislation in the U.S. His advocacy helped pave the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
5. Joyce Ardell Jackson (1942–2014)
Joyce Ardell Jackson was a disability rights activist who worked tirelessly to ensure that people of color with disabilities were included in conversations about accessibility. She was part of the 504 Sit-in and fought for intersectional approaches to disability justice. Her legacy continues to inspire activists today.
Carrying Their Legacy Forward
These trailblazers remind us that disability does not define a person’s potential; it is part of their strength. Their activism, art, and resilience continue to shape our world today.
At Kindness Evolves, we are committed to supporting individuals with disabilities and their families. Whether through habilitation, respite, or attendant care, we strive to create a more inclusive and supportive world - one that uplifts the voices of all individuals, just as these leaders did.
This Black History Month, let’s honor all the contributions of Black history - including those of Black disabled individuals who fought for justice, equality, and accessibility.
