Black History, Disability, and the Power of Belonging
February is Black History Month, a time to recognize, honor, and reflect on the contributions, experiences, and resilience of Black individuals and communities throughout history. It’s also a time to acknowledge stories that have too often been overlooked or left out.
At InCommunity, Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate Black voices, listen with intention, and reaffirm our commitment to inclusion, respect, and belonging. As an organization centered on people and community, we recognize that Black history is not a single narrative. It includes individuals of all abilities, identities, and lived experiences.
That includes Black individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
Black history is broader than one story
Black history is often told through stories of resilience, leadership, and the fight for equity. Those stories matter. But within them are voices that are less often named or seen, including Black individuals with I/DD.
Black individuals with I/DD have always been part of families, neighborhoods, schools, and movements, even when history didn’t make space to recognize them.
Overlapping histories, shared challenges
Black communities and the disability community have both faced long histories of exclusion, misunderstanding, and limited access to opportunity. For Black individuals with I/DD, these barriers often overlap.
Historically, Black people with disabilities were more likely to be institutionalized, misdiagnosed, or denied services. Their voices were frequently left out of both civil rights conversations and disability advocacy. That absence wasn’t because they didn’t matter, but because systems were not built to see the full picture of who they were.
Even today, Black individuals with I/DD and their families may face disparities in healthcare, education, housing, and support services. Recognizing this reality is part of honoring Black history honestly and fully.
Black history includes disability advocacy
While not always widely known, Black leaders with disabilities have helped shape conversations around justice and inclusion. Brad Lomax, a member of the Black Panther Party who used a wheelchair, played a key role in connecting civil rights activism with the disability rights movement.
Other figures, such as Fannie Lou Hamer, lived with disabilities that affected their health and daily lives while continuing to advocate for equality and dignity. Their stories remind us that disability has always been part of Black history, even when it wasn’t openly discussed.
Beyond well-known names, there are countless Black individuals with I/DD whose impact is quieter but just as meaningful. They show up in their communities, build relationships, express themselves creatively, and contribute in ways that deserve recognition.
Community care matters
At the heart of both Black history and the I/DD community is care. Families supporting one another. Neighbors stepping in. Communities creating solutions when systems fall short.
For Black individuals with I/DD, community support can be life-changing. Inclusive services, accessible communication, culturally responsive care, and environments that respect identity all play a role in creating a true sense of belonging.
Organizations like InCommunity exist to help make that belonging possible. By focusing on inclusion, respect, and person-centered support, we help ensure that people are not defined by limitations, but recognized for who they are.
Honoring Black history through inclusion
Honoring Black history means making space for all Black experiences, including those shaped by disability. It means listening to Black individuals with I/DD. It means supporting families and caregivers. It means continuing to challenge assumptions about ability, intelligence, and worth.
Most of all, it means remembering that history is ongoing. The way we design services, build communities, and treat one another today becomes part of the story tomorrow.
When Black individuals with I/DD are seen, supported, and included, we move closer to a community where everyone belongs.