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NAMED Advocates

Celebrating 5 Years of Building for Racial Justice & Disability Inclusion

By February 20, 2025No Comments

We Didn’t Come This Far to Only Come This Far

Family let’s keep it real—these days, tuning into the news feels like a never-ending cycle of setbacks for our Black and Disabled communities. Racial justice and disability inclusion is about thriving, growing, and leading in ways that shift entire systems. And yet, every time I turn on the TV or scroll through the headlines, I see another attack on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).

Recent executive orders have taken direct aim at DEI initiatives, dismantling programs designed to uplift marginalized voices. Policies like the “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” order have led to the removal of DEI programs within federal agencies, erasing critical data on race, gender, and disability.

We’ve seen how far they’re willing to go to silence our communities. The White House wiped entire webpages dedicated to disability rights. Gone. (AP News) Federal agencies have been ordered to stop tracking racial disparities in hiring and education. The data that held systems accountable? Vanished. And now, federal funding for DEI programs has been frozen, forcing organizations to abandon initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion. Companies like Google have already scrapped diversity hiring goals to comply with these new mandates. (The Verge)

It’s exhausting. It’s frustrating. It’s intentional.

But here’s what they’re not telling you: the work isn’t dying. It’s growing. It’s mobilizing. And we’ve got the receipts to prove it.

CELEBRATING 5 YEARS OF BUILDING, 5 YEARS OF POWER AND A FRESH BRAND

Earlier this week on February 18, 2025, we celebrated 5 years of the Keri Gray Consulting Group (KGCG). The KGCG is a multifaceted company dedicated to empowering leaders and communities at the intersections of racial and disability justice. For the past five years, my team and I have been on the frontlines, proving that intersectionality isn’t just a concept—it’s a leadership development strategy that reshapes organizations, businesses, and movements.

We’ve partnered with organizations to develop workshops that don’t just educate but transform. Our “Disability Inclusion and Intersectionality” sessions have empowered leaders to foster environments where everyone, regardless of ability or background, can thrive.

We’ve seen firsthand the power of community collaboration. Our Beyond Diversity program in Pittsburgh brought together over 30 leaders committed to advancing racial and disability equity in the workplace. The passion and dedication in that room is palpable, a testament to the fact that while policies may shift, our collective resolve does not waver.

We’ve built something real, something undeniable. While some organizations are pulling back, we’re expanding. While policies may shift, we remain relentless.

Here’s what we’re building for our partners and community:

  • Brand & Campaign Collaborations: We partner with major brands and organizations to create powerful content and campaigns that center intersectional advocacy.
  • Workplace & Leadership Development: We help organizations implement real, actionable change in their hiring practices, policies, and leadership pipelines.
  • Signature Programs: From Beyond Diversity to Coachella’s Accessible+ and Unlocking Democracy, we build and run initiatives that create lasting impact.
  • Educational Trainings and Sessions: We provide interactive workshops and coaching to help teams build inclusive cultures through disability and racial justice education.
  • Community & Culture Work: We bring the fire to cultural spaces, from live events to advocacy campaigns, amplifying Black and disabled voices in ways that can’t be ignored.

THE MOVEMENT DOESN’T STOP—IT EVOLVES

And as we move forward, I’m excited to reintroducing ourselves under the banner of Ignite by Keri Gray. Ignite isn’t just a rebrand. It’s a commitment. It’s a declaration. It’s our answer to every policy, every barrier, and every attempt to erase us. It’s a movement that recognizes the intersections of our identities and the strength that comes from embracing them.

The “Ignite by Keri Gray” logo features a modern and stylized design. The logo text “IGNITE” is in bold, uppercase letters with a gradient of warm colors ranging from a deep red to a vibrant orange, symbolizing energy and passion. Adjacent to “IGNITE” is the phrase “by Keri Gray” in a smaller, simpler font that balances the boldness of the main title. Centrally positioned above the text is an emblem featuring two stylized hands coming together to hold or frame a flame. The hands are depicted with a minimalist design, using lines and circles at the joints to suggest movement and flexibility. The flame itself is dynamic and uses shades of yellow and orange to convey warmth and transformation. Surrounding the flame are small lines and dots that suggest a spark or burst, enhancing the sense of ignition and action.

Our love for our communities runs deep. Our work takes guidance from Black culture, from disability justice, from the resilience of our ancestors who built despite the barriers, who innovated despite the odds. That’s what we’re doing now. We are not shrinking. We are expanding.

So to my community, I urge you to have the courage of Joshua, who led with faith amidst uncertainty, and the certainty of David, who faced giants with unwavering confidence.

We didn’t come this far to only come this far. We came to ignite something bigger. Let’s go. 🔥

 

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About Ignite by Keri Gray

Ignite is a multifaceted company dedicated to empowering leaders and communities at the intersections of racial and disability justice. Founded by Keri Gray, a passionate advocate and entrepreneur, Ignite operates through two distinct divisions: Ignite Consulting Services and the Ignite Blog and Resource Center.

 

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