From Law to Media: The Journey Behind Disability Media Network

Leaving the courtroom wasn’t part of my original plan.

For years, I worked as a disability rights attorney, representing children who needed individualized education programs (IEPs). My mission was to make sure schools gave every child — regardless of ability — an equal opportunity to succeed. But over time, I realized something deeper: legal compliance alone couldn’t change how society sees disability.

That kind of change requires culture. And culture is shaped by media.

As both a Black woman and a mother, I’ve always understood the power of representation. I grew up watching The Cosby Show and A Different World, shows that made me believe college and professional success were within reach. But when my daughter once told me she didn’t see anyone on TV who looked like her, it broke my heart.

My response to her — “Then you be the change you want to see” — would later become a personal calling.

During the pandemic, I had time to reflect. I loved advocacy, but I wanted to build something that combined purpose with creativity. I launched a YouTube channel interviewing people with disabilities, and soon realized that incredible stories existed — they just weren’t being distributed. Legacy media companies rarely acquired or showcased work from disabled filmmakers.

So I built the Disability Media Network (DiMe Network) — a streaming platform featuring content by and about people with disabilities. Through DiMe, creators can share authentic stories on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and online.

Representation isn’t charity. It’s culture. And culture drives understanding, inclusion, and innovation.

At DiMe Network, our mission is simple: to make visibility accessible. Because when people with disabilities see themselves on screen, the world changes how it sees them.