

These women are using their platforms to empower women with disabilities and show that they are just like everyone else. The CDC reported that 61 million people are living with a disability and 1 in 4 are women. The National Center for Disability and Journalism also reported that over 6 million people living with a disability are Black.
While it is a large community, disabled people are still rarely represented in the public eye. But thanks to these influencers, that is all sure to change soon. From Hollywood actress Lauren “Lolo” Spencer to everyday moms like TaLisha Grzyb, women are using their social media to speak up for those who are just like them and show the world that they also matter.
TaLisha Grzyb
TaLisha Grzyb is a wife and mother of four living with muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy is a disease that causes muscle weakness and muscle loss, which impacts mobility. Due to her diagnosis, TaLisha is someone who uses a wheelchair. She also documents her day-to-day life through her YouTube channel Rolling Through Life with TaLisha.
TaLisha shared her experience as a mom with a disability in an interview with Yahoo! Life. “I think the biggest misconception is that we are just out here having kids and expecting other people to raise our kids or do things for us,” she said. “People feel like maybe we don't deserve to be moms. As long as you're present and you're active and you have great intent and a great heart, anyone deserves to be a parent, let alone a mother.”
“I feel like that is a part of my purpose on this earth to kind of empower people and let them know — don't let anything stop you."
Lauren “Lolo” Spencer
Lauren “Lolo” Spencer stars in HBO’s The Sex Life of College Girls and is an advocate for people with disabilities. After being diagnosed with ALS in high school, Lolo decided to pursue acting. In an exclusive interview with xoNecole, the actress shared what it’s like working with a disability.
“As a person with a disability, employment is incredibly hard to find. If I’m not mistaken, less than two percent of the job market are people on record saying that they have disabilities," she said. "I just didn’t like the feeling of someone being in control of my livelihood because I knew it wasn’t going to be easy to find another job.”
Nakia Smith
@itscharmay Its DEAF! 😤 lmaoooooooooo 😂 #fyp #tiktok #signlanguage #deafworld #foryoupage
Nakia Smith is a popular TikToker who uses her platform to teach others about BASL (Black American Sign Language). The Dallas, TX native, whose sign name is Charmay, comes from a five-generation family of deaf people and her videos show how she communicates with them.
In an interview with The New York Times, Nakia explained the difference between American Sign Language and BASL. “The difference between BASL and ASL is that BASL got seasoning,” she joked.
Keah Brown
Keah Brown was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child and she dealt with bullying from other kids. As a Black, queer woman, Keah has found herself in between two worlds and is trying her best to navigate both of them.
“In the Black community, we don't talk about disability and if we do, it’s within the realm of jokes, making light of something, or using us as punching bags on the internet," she said in an interviewTODAY. "Then you have the white disabled community who doesn't talk about queerness or race or sexuality. It is exhausting sometimes because ... It’s hard to feel like I really belong in any place.”
Haben Girma
Haben Girma is the first deafblind student to graduate from Harvard Law School. As a human rights lawyer, Haben fights for others with disabilities and she is also the author of Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law. She has continued to push boundaries and most recently shared that she is learning how to surf.
“Before my surf lesson in Santa Cruz a guy called me inspiring, then came back later to apologize for 'interrupting' my weekend,” she wrote on Instagram. “Honestly, learning to surf as a Deafblind person involves a variety of challenges before I even enter the water. To the guy who 'interrupted' my weekend to express joy at seeing me at the beach, thank you! Adaptive surfing is tough and I’m grateful for all the encouragement I can get.
Featured image by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Create & Cultivate
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Swipe Right For Sisterhood: Reginae Carter Talks Teaming Up With BLK To Make Friendships Front & Center
You know the vibes: dating apps aren’t just for finding romance anymore—at least not for Gen Z! As young people continue to redefine connection, BLK, the leading dating app for Black singles, is shaking things up with the launch of Social Mode. The new feature allows users to toggle between dating and platonic connections. Yep, you read that right—friendship is now just as easy to find as love.
To kick off this game-changing launch, BLK teamed up with TV personality and socialite Reginae Carter for the ultimate Girls’ Night In, proving that sisterhood is just as important as romance. The exclusive event was a celebration of the new feature and the power of Black women coming together to uplift one another.
“Your circle is everything,” Reginae shares with a smile, and she’s not wrong. She’s all about creating spaces where we can come together, let our hair down, and vibe with like-minded women. “We deserve spaces to meet, uplift, and vibe with each other. BLK is making that happen,” she adds.
A New Era for Friendships—Social Mode Is Here!
Gen Z is all about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with a date or a new brunch buddy. That’s why Social Mode is such a big deal. Research shows that 65% of Gen Z values friendships just as much as romantic relationships. With BLK’s new feature, users can easily toggle between “Dating” and “Social,” opening up a world of platonic connections—no swiping right required.
Bahja Rodriguez, Reginae Carter, Breaunna Womack, Lourdes Rodriguez and Zonnique Pullins attend OMG Girlz "Make A Scene" Single Release & Video Viewing Party at Trap City Cafe on March 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage
Reginae Carter Hosts the Ultimate Girls’ Night In—Powered by BLK Social Mode
What better way to show Social Mode in action than with an exclusive Girls’ Night In, hosted by Reginae? The event brought together top influencers, tastemakers, and press for a night of luxury, self-care, and real talk about love, sex, and relationships. From tarot readings to perfume-making and signature cocktails, the evening embodied the “soft life” vibe that many Black women are embracing in 2025—peaceful, intentional, and full of joy.
Guests mingled, laughed, and bonded over the importance of finding a tribe that supports you. It wasn’t just about fun (although there was plenty of that!)—it was about creating a circle of inspiring, strong women. “We need to stick together. We need to be each other’s village,” Reginae says, emphasizing the power of community over competition.
Sisterhood: The Real MVP
For Reginae, it’s all about friendship—and not just the surface-level kind. “We need friends who keep it real with us. The ones who can tell us when we’re right, when we’re wrong, and when we need to calm down,” she says. As someone who navigates the spotlight, she’s got the best of both worlds: friends who understand the grind and those who can give her an honest, grounded perspective.
Her advice for building strong, intentional friendships? “Be confident in yourself and know your worth,” she explains. “Also, hurt people hurt people, so make sure you’re coming from a good place when you’re building relationships. It’s not always about being nice—sometimes it’s about being real.”
Reginae couldn’t have summed it up better: “When you have the right circle, the right tribe, everything just feels easier. And that’s exactly what BLK is giving us—space to connect, laugh, and grow with each other.”
To learn more about BLK’s Social Mode, download or update the BLK app in the App Store or Google Play Store today. Who knows? You might just find your new bestie or your next brunch crew.
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Feature image by Prince Williams/WireImage