Andraéa LaVant

As an unapologetic, impact-driven innovator at the forefront of intersectional disability culture, Andraéa LaVant is powering through the world by reworking the fabric of a culture that was not set up to include her. Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at age 2, LaVant aims to leave nobody behind. She’s helping bridge a divide and paving a path for disabled people not only to survive but to thrive.

LaVant is widely recognized as the Impact Producer of *Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution8, a Netflix-released documentary that has earned awards and nominations from the Oscars, Sundance Film Festival, Independent Spirit Awards, and Peabody Awards. This powerful film about a summer camp for teens with disabilities is executive produced by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. In connection to the film, during the 2021 awards season, LaVant became the first visibly disabled black woman on the Oscars red carpet.

Beyond the glitz and glamour, LaVant co-founded 1IN4 Coalition—an intersectional alliance of disabled creatives and executives currently working in Hollywood. The purpose of 1IN4 is to implement long-term institutional shifts to increase employment and authentic representation of disabled people.

She is also a respected community leader who supported White House programs and spoke on issues affecting black women with disabilities; most notably, President Barack Obama’s Disability Roundtable (2013) and the first-ever National African American History Month: Civil Rights for People with Disabilities (2014).

LaVant is a passionate advocate for disabled black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC). Not only has she built and managed disability-focused initiatives in the US, she has also traveled internationally, sharing valuable insights to progress disability inclusion across the globe.

At present, she is the founder and president of LaVant Consulting Inc., a social impact communications firm that offers cutting-edge corporate development and content marketing for brands and nonprofits. She and her team have taught brands like Google, Verizon, Microsoft, Adobe, and Netflix how to include disability in their company’s programs and campaigns.

LaVant is a member of the United Spinal Association Board of Directors, The Kelsey Board of Directors, and in 2021 was inducted into the Susan Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame.