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From Keynotes to Connections | Closing Disability Pride Month with Etsy: Celebrating Intersectionality and Inclusion

Published: Wednesday July 31, 2024
alycia sitting in front of her virtual studio with etsy logo on one monitor and her interstionality through the lens of disability presentation on another smiling doing a selfie with her hand on her hip

As Disability Pride Month comes to a close, I had the honor of delivering my ninth and final keynote of July, titled “Intersectionality Through the Lens of Disability,” in a virtual event hosted by Etsy. This marked my second consecutive year speaking for Etsy, and I was thrilled to return to such an inclusive and supportive platform.

Last year, I had the privilege of sharing a panel with Etsy’s Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility, Beth Wiesendanger. Our discussion for Disability Pride Month 2023 centered around my keynote, “Getting to the Heart of Disabling Ableism: The Modern Pathway to Inclusion.” This year, it was wonderful to reconnect with Beth and continue our dialogue on disability inclusion and intersectionality.

This virtual event was the perfect culmination of a busy but incredibly impactful month. Throughout July, I spoke at various esteemed organizations, including NCPEID, the Rollettes Experience, Covington & Burling, The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Sodexo, Blue Shield of California, and Stockton Unified School District. Each event brought new experiences and opportunities to share my message of inclusion and empowerment.

alycia presentation on one monitor and beth benita and alycia in conference on another

Reflecting on my ongoing connection with Etsy, I am reminded of the special bond we have formed. Hosting Beth Wiesendanger as a guest on my podcast “Pushing Forward with Alycia” last year was a highlight. Beth’s journey as a double amputee and her work in DEI&A at Etsy provided invaluable insights on fostering inclusive spaces. Our conversation emphasized the significance of disability inclusion within the broader context of intersectional identities.

In this episode of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” Beth shared her personal journey and professional insights. We discussed the importance of creating environments that uplift disabled voices and explored practical strategies for breaking down barriers. Beth’s dedication to ensuring that people with disabilities are seen, heard, and advocated for is truly inspiring.

Moreover, my relationship with Etsy led to an unexpected and heartwarming connection with Benita Benifield and her son, Samuel Benifield-Chivore. Benita, a CRM Ops Specialist – QA at Etsy, attended my first keynote at Etsy, and her son Samuel, who has an AVM diagnosis, found inspiration in my words. Samuel later joined me on my podcast to discuss his journey of turning his diagnosis into a successful Lego business, Samuel’s Bricks. His resilience and achievements are a testament to the power of determination and support.

alycia presentation on one monitor and beth alycia benita and her son samuel in conference on another

The magic of my keynotes transcends much more than just an hour. Seeing and hearing how my words helped Samuel set and achieve his goals is beyond gratifying. His journey from playing the trumpet again to starring in “Grease” and launching his business is incredibly inspiring. I am grateful to have been a small part of his story and look forward to witnessing his continued success.

I encourage everyone to listen to Samuel’s inspiring story. You can find the episode on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

As I wrap up Disability Pride Month, I am filled with gratitude for the support from organizations like Etsy and all the other companies that have embraced my message over the years. This month has been a whirlwind of events, each one reinforcing the importance of disability inclusion and empowerment.

Let’s keep the momentum going! Here we go! 🎤