Shannon Watkins

I've worked in this field for over a decade, working with individuals with disabilities and special needs, and I've been in my current role for about 13 years. I have lived experience and professional experience as someone with a disability, and I help families, empower families and advocate for them, and help them advocate for themselves for resources, basic needs, and disability rights when it comes to marginalized communities or when they need help with their children in the school district. My main area of expertise is helping individuals thrive right where they are. I work with a lot of parents right now who have children with special needs, and I work with African American and Black parents. I basically help them help their children thrive, and I'm kind of like the voice of the African American community when it comes to special needs because I do also have the lived experience. I love to uplift and cultivate voices when it comes to the disability community. I've also been on some grant committees, and I've helped establish grants for the African American community who are not usually served or face a lot of barriers. I've also worked in the medical field as a surgery scheduler, CNA, and currently as a medical assistant. I've always had that passion to help people.