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The National Alliance of Melanin Disabled Advocates (NAMED Advocates) creates spaces for disabled leaders of color and BIPOC allies to gather, learn, connect, and grow around racial and disability justice. Through use of knowledge and empowerment tools, we work to destigmatize the existing outward narrative that currently surrounds the disabled community. We equip community members with the vocabulary to express their authentic selves with confidence and certainty. Our community events are celebrations of solidarity, providing opportunities for collaboration and relationship building.

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NAMED Blog

keri gray with three volunteersNAMED Advocates
November 17, 2022

Our Presence is Our Power 2022

Explore the intersection of BIPOC culture, disability justice and social impact at our 2022 Leadership Summit, Our Presence is Our Power! This year, we’re bringing together leaders of color across…
man holding sign that reads justice 4 allNAMED Advocates
November 16, 2022

Approaching disability justice education through an intersectional lens.

Disability Rights and Civil Rights As a Black disabled woman, it wasn’t until I was well into my late 20s that I heard of the term Black disability identity.  Despite…
woman using a wheelchair in an officeNAMED Advocates
November 6, 2022

The Past, Present, & Future of Disability Justice

Common misconceptions from appropriation of Disability Justice Because of the misappropriation of it by White, Cis, Straight Disabled people, when people hear the words “Disability Justice” some assume I mean…
Three Black women are standing in front of a black brick wall, they are each wearing a yellow t-shirt that says ‘Black Disabled Lives Matter’ inside of a Black fist. The top of the photo has white text that says Our Presence is Our Power * November 8, 2021. @namdadvocatesNAMED Advocates
September 20, 2021

Our Presence is Our Power 2021

We gather our community and teach leadership tools grounded in disability and racial justice.Between COVID-19, racial tensions, and rising work expectations, disability and mental health awareness with organizational leaders is…
Picture of Rain In The Face on a gray backgroundNAMED AdvocatesNames and Frames
September 12, 2020

Rain-In-The-Face

Design by @jtknoxroxs These descriptions were compiled by the NAMD Advocates to honor our ancestors and the existence of disabled people of color.
Picture of Mama Cax on a gray background.NAMED AdvocatesNames and Frames
September 12, 2020

Mama Cax

Design by @jtknoxroxs These descriptions were compiled by the NAMD Advocates to honor our ancestors and the existence of disabled people of color.
Picture of Frida Kahlo on a gray background.NAMED AdvocatesNames and Frames
September 12, 2020

Frida Kahlo

Design by @jtknoxroxs These descriptions were compiled by the NAMD Advocates to honor our ancestors and the existence of disabled people of color.
Photo of a poster that says "We walk roll kneel run stand with Ahmaud in black, red, and silver paint.NAMED Advocates
June 8, 2020

#BLM & #BDLM Protest

#BlackLivesMatter & #BlackDisabledLivesMatter Protest On June 6th, Justice Shorter and Keri Gray through the NAMD Advocates organized disabled BIPOC and our allies to participate in the #BlackLivesMatter protest in front…