EMPOWER Podcast hosted by Bell Global Justice Institute

episode artwork

Bell Global Justice Institute

26 August 2022

19m 33s

Disability Justice and My Girl Story, featuring Tameka Citchen-Spruce

00:00

19:33

 We are a proud collaborator for Tameka's global film viewing and discussion of My Girl Story happening on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, in commemoration of the United Nations International Day for People of African Descent. Please see below Tameka's bio and how you can join our international event on August 31st!

Register to watch the film here

Registration link for the event, including the panel discussion is here

Links to watch on Facebook and Youtube:
HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MYGIRLSTORYDOCUMENTARY
HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=UGGTTTKUKGK

Tameka Citchen-Spruce has a strong passion for disability advocacy and media. It started at 21 years old, as Ms. Wheelchair MI 2006. As Ms. Wheelchair MI, she spoke out about supporting women with disabilities who are being abused. Two years later she formed Women Empower Inc, its mission was to empower women with disabilities to live their best lives. Later she studied Broadcast Television and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Oakland University.
 
Tameka has been advocating for over 15 years for access to affordable and accessible housing, fighting against voting oppression towards people with disabilities, racial and gender injustices, and health equity.
 
Because of the combination of her journalism knowledge, and activism she learned the importance of telling a person's story. Her short film, Justifiable Homicide, has been nominated and won an award and her My Girl Story documentary has been selected for film festivals. 
 
Besides film, she's a community organizer for Warriors on Wheels of Metro Detroit and a facilitator for the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition. She is also a Program Assistant and Chairperson of the Inclusive Health Committee for Beaumont Health, Healthy Dearborn.
 
She has been selected for numerous fellowships including AmeriCorps, Public Allies of Metro Detroit, Michigan Disability Rights Coalition’s LEAD program and Detroit Equity Action Lab at Judge Damon Keith’s Wayne State University Law Center. She is a proud member of the National Black Disability Coalition.
 
Another important role of Tameka’s life is being a wife and mother of two young children.