This black history month, we honor these distinguished figures who also happen to have disability. The intersection of disability and excellence is large and we’re excited to feature a few of the many.
Famous black people who were also disabled:
Simone Biles
Simone Biles has had an amazing Olympic career while being open about her ADHD diagnosis. A large amount of our participants are people with ADHD which might surprise some people; many may not consider their mental struggles a disability. Having amazing role models is just as important for younger people with disabilities and Simone’s excellence certainly shines
Harriet Tubman
Most know the story of Harriet Tubman’s heroics as a part of the underground railroad and her work as civil rights activist, but did you know she also had a traumatic brain injury and epilepsy as a result? Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, can effect anyone with head injury and the symptoms can vary widely. Having a TBI can add barriers to someone’s life, but they can often be overcome with focus, determination, and support from those around them.
Daymond John
Daymond John is most well known as an entrepreneur and investor on the TV show Shark Tank but he’s openly spoken about his learning disability, Dyslexia, and how important education is to success. He always struggled in reading and writing in school and as he rose to fame he struggled to read teleprompters. This led him to seek diagnosis in his adult life. It’s never too late to seek support for your obstacles and there’s no shame in getting help to become the best you.
