Welcome to the Autism in Black Podcast, hosted by Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Briana Barner—media studies scholar, podcast researcher, professor, mother of three autistic children, and a proud late-diagnosed AuDHD baddie.

Dr. Barner is currently working on a book exploring the cultural production of Black podcasts, examining how our stories, voices, and platforms shape culture and community. She lives in the DMV area with her family and is raising three ausome children who are all on the autism spectrum.

In 2024, Briana was diagnosed with ADHD. In 2025, she received her autism diagnosis. These revelations didn't just provide clarity—they reshaped how she understands herself, her motherhood, and her work as a scholar and professor navigating academia while neurodivergent.

This conversation is honest, layered, and deeply affirming—exploring diagnosis in adulthood, parenting multiple neurodivergent children, advocating within school systems, and redefining career success on your own terms.

In This Episode:

Dr. Barner shares what it has meant to be newly diagnosed as an autistic and ADHD Black woman while simultaneously raising three autistic children. She speaks candidly about advocacy battles, especially the unique challenges of getting her daughter properly diagnosed and supported, and how those experiences exposed systemic gaps in education.

Listeners will explore:

Late Diagnosis & Self-Discovery:

What it feels like to receive an ADHD diagnosis in 2024 and an autism diagnosis in 2025—and how those pieces brought clarity to a lifetime of experiences.

Parenting Three Autistic Children:

The beauty, complexity, and advocacy required in raising multiple neurodivergent children, including navigating resistance from school systems and fighting for equitable support—particularly for Black girls.

Rethinking Work & Academia as a Neurodivergent Professor:

How earning a PhD and building a career in higher education intersects with being AuDHD—and what it means to redesign work, productivity, and success in ways that honor your neurodivergent brain.

About Dr. Briana Barner

Dr. Briana Barner is a media studies and podcast scholar whose research centers on the cultural production of Black podcasts. She is currently working on a book exploring how Black podcasting shapes media landscapes and community storytelling.

She lives in the DMV area with her family and is raising three autistic children. Recently diagnosed with ADHD (2024) and autism (2025), Briana brings both scholarly insight and lived experience to conversations about neurodivergence, parenting, and identity. She proudly identifies as a late-diagnosed AuDHD baddie committed to authenticity, advocacy, and reimagining systems that were never built with us in mind.

Connect with Dr. Briana Barner

📸 Instagram: @raisingausomeblackchildren

Get 2 Weeks FREE in the Autism in Black® Community!

Looking for support, connection, and resources created specifically for Black parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children? Experience the Autism in Black® Community—FREE for 2 weeks.

Join a space designed for real conversations, shared experiences, and culturally affirming support.

Join Us at the 6th Annual Autism in Black Conference 2026

The Autism in Black Conference is a safe, affirming space with real conversations, expert insights, and culturally responsive tools to support your journey in parenting, advocacy, and healing.

Register here:

https://funnel.autisminblack.org/conference2026

Support and Connect with Autism in Black

Website: www.autisminblack.org

Follow us on social media:

TikTok, Instagram, Twitter: @autisminblack

Facebook: @autisminblk

Join our community for networking, resources, and advocacy:

www.autisminblack.org/membership

Thank you for tuning into the Autism in Black Podcast. Share your thoughts using #aibpod on social media.

Together, we continue building a more inclusive, affirming, and supportive community. 💛

Welcome to the Autism in Black Podcast, hosted by Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC.

In this episode, we're joined by Maritza Hines, MA—Founder of SPEDtacular Kids and a passionate Special Education Advocate committed to empowering families of neurodivergent children.

As the Owner of SPEDtacular Kids | Ritzi Laverne LLC, Maritza supports parents, guardians, and educators in navigating special education systems with confidence, clarity, and culturally responsive strategy. With a Master's degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders, she combines professional expertise with compassion and deep respect for the lived experiences of families raising neurodivergent children.

Through her advocacy and consulting practice, Maritza provides IEP and 504 plan guidance, tailored accommodations and modifications, sensory and behavioral strategies, and parent coaching sessions. She also partners with churches and children's ministries to create sensory-friendly spaces that ensure all children feel seen, safe, and celebrated.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that advocacy is not about confrontation—it's about preparation, clarity, and ensuring our children receive the support they deserve to thrive.

In This Episode:

Maritza shares practical strategies for navigating IEP and 504 meetings, understanding your child's rights, and building collaborative relationships with schools. She breaks down common challenges families face and offers empowering tools to approach the special education process with confidence and intention.

Listeners Will Explore:

• Bridging the Gap Between School and Home:

How families can create alignment between what happens in the classroom and what happens at home—ensuring consistency, communication, and collaboration that truly supports the child as a whole person.

• Understanding Your IEP Rights:

Breaking down IEP and 504 rights in clear, accessible language so parents feel informed, empowered, and confident walking into meetings. Maritza shares how knowledge shifts the power dynamic and helps families advocate effectively.

• Creating Sensory-Friendly Church Spaces:

Why faith communities must prioritize accessibility—and how simple, intentional changes can create welcoming, sensory-supportive environments where neurodivergent children feel safe, included, and valued.

About Maritza Hines, MA

Maritza Hines is the Owner and Founder of SPEDtacular Kids | Ritzi Laverne LLC, a Special Education Advocacy & Consulting practice dedicated to supporting families and educators of neurodivergent children.

She holds a Master's degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders and provides IEP/504 advocacy, parent coaching, sensory and behavioral strategy support, and consulting services to schools and churches seeking to create inclusive environments.

Maritza's mission is to equip families with practical strategies and culturally responsive support so children can thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Connect with Maritza

📘 Facebook: Fb: SPEDtacular Kids

Get 2 Weeks FREE in the Autism in Black® Community!

Looking for support, connection, and resources created specifically for Black parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children? Experience the Autism in Black® Community—FREE for 2 weeks!

Join a space designed for real conversations, shared experiences, and culturally affirming support.

Join Us at the 6th Annual Autism in Black Conference 2026

The Autism in Black Conference is a safe, affirming space filled with expert insights, practical tools, and powerful conversations centered on parenting, advocacy, and healing.

Register here:

https://funnel.autisminblack.org/conference2026

Support and Connect with Autism in Black

Website: www.autisminblack.org

Follow us on social media:

TikTok, Instagram, Twitter: @autisminblack

Facebook: @autisminblk

Join our community for networking, resources, and advocacy:

www.autisminblack.org/membership

Welcome to the Autism in Black Podcast, hosted by Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC.

In this episode, we're joined by Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti—an author, artist, and late-diagnosed autistic elder who embodies resilience, authenticity, and joy in every chapter of her story.

Diagnosed just six months before turning 63, Gloria's discovery of her autism brought clarity and healing to a lifetime of experiences marked by misunderstanding, masking pressures, and survival in systems that weren't built for her. A breast cancer diagnosis in 2013 became a turning point, inspiring her to come out as queer and live fully in her truth.

Gloria's powerful storytelling has appeared in True Stories: Vol. V and Sharing Our Journeys 2: Queer BIPOC Elders Tell Their Stories. She co-hosts a Neurodivergence Discussion Group in Seattle and has appeared on Neurodiversity 101 panels at conventions such as Norwescon and Worldcon. Her forthcoming memoir, A Different Drum: A Black, Autistic, Polyamorous, Mentally Ill, Former Fundamentalist Christian/Cult Member and Breast Cancer Survivor WHO JUST WANTS TO FIT IN, is an unapologetic exploration of identity, belonging, and the beauty of being different.

In This Episode:

Gloria opens up about her experiences growing up in Mississippi in the 1950s, navigating relentless bullying from classmates, teachers, and even family—often for "acting differently" in ways she didn't yet understand. She shares how those early experiences shaped her sense of self and why she now refuses to mask, choosing instead to live as her full, authentic self.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to find understanding, belonging, and self-acceptance—and that our stories, no matter how complex, can be sources of strength and connection for others.

Listeners will explore:

• Growing Up Different: What it was like to be an undiagnosed autistic Black girl in the segregated South, and how Gloria learned to survive constant scrutiny and misunderstanding.
• Why I Don't Mask: How lifelong pressure to "act normal" shaped Gloria's identity—and why she chooses authenticity over assimilation today.
• Finding Freedom Later in Life: How breast cancer, self-discovery, and diagnosis became catalysts for embracing her queerness, neurodivergence, and voice as an elder in the community.

About Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti:

Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti (she/her) is an author, poet, speaker, and late-diagnosed autistic elder whose work explores identity, survival, and self-acceptance. Her essays appear in True Stories: Vol. V and Sharing Our Journeys 2: Queer BIPOC Elders Tell Their Stories. Gloria co-hosts a Neurodivergence Discussion Group in Seattle and has spoken on Neurodiversity 101 panels at Norwescon and Worldcon. Her forthcoming memoir, A Different Drum, is a courageous reflection on a lifetime of navigating faith, race, neurodivergence, and healing—and a testament to the power of being unapologetically oneself.

Connect with Gloria:

🌐 Website: notgloriajean.net

📘 Facebook: facebook.com/GloriaJacksonNefertiti

📸 Instagram: @gloriajacksonnefertiti

🎧 Featured Podcast Appearances:

Shifting the Narrative on Everything Autism – Episode 92: It's Never Too Late to Come Out as Autistic

Trust Me Podcast – Episode 21: Autism, Racism, and a Religious Cult

💬 Free Resource: Gloria offers a 30-minute Zoom chat for late-diagnosed Black autistic individuals (one-on-one or group) to provide encouragement and remind them they're not alone.

Get 2 Weeks FREE in the Autism in Black® Community!

Looking for support, connection, and resources created specifically for Black parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children? Now's your chance to experience the Autism in Black® Community—FREE for 2 weeks!

Join us for the 6th Annual Autism in Black Conference 2026 — a safe, affirming space with real conversations, expert insights, and culturally responsive tools to support your journey in parenting, advocacy, and healing. Register here: https://funnel.autisminblack.org/conference2026

Support and Connect with Autism in Black:

Website: www.autisminblack.org

Social Media: Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter: @autisminblack

Facebook: @autisminblk

Join our community for networking, resources, and advocacy: www.autisminblack.org/membership

Thank you for tuning into the Autism in Black Podcast! Share your thoughts using #aibpod on social media. Together, let's continue to build a more inclusive and supportive community.

Welcome to the Autism in Black Podcast, hosted by Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC.

In this episode, we're joined by CleAnn Davis, the founder of Neurospicy Black Women (NBW)—a vibrant, unapologetic community that uplifts and supports Black women navigating ADHD, autism, and other forms of neurodivergence.

CleAnn created NBW in March 2024 as a safe space for women like her to unmask, connect, and celebrate their neurodivergent identities. After stepping away for a few months, she made the bold decision to return to her vision in January 2025—a move that transformed NBW into the thriving, affirming movement it is today.

With a degree in Psychology and a Master's in Organizational Management, CleAnn brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. Her leadership is fueled by authenticity, resilience, and a deep belief that neurodivergent Black women deserve spaces designed for them and by them.

Now, as NBW evolves from a community into a full-fledged business, CleAnn is creating opportunities for other neurodivergent Black women through merch, travel experiences, coaching, conferences, and scholarships—proving that when we bet on ourselves, we open doors for others, too.

In This Episode:

CleAnn shares her inspiring journey of self-discovery, from receiving her late ADHD diagnosis to rediscovering her purpose and rebuilding Neurospicy Black Women into a powerful platform for connection and change. She talks about what it means to live and lead differently, how betting on herself changed everything, and why the future of NBW is about collaboration, empowerment, and limitless possibility.

Listeners will explore:

• Living Differently, Leading Differently: How embracing her ADHD helped CleAnn lead on her own terms and inspire others to do the same.
• Betting on Myself: The powerful shift that came from returning to her paused vision—and how trusting herself turned an idea into a movement.
• The Vision Ahead: How Neurospicy Black Women LLC is expanding to create opportunities for neurodivergent Black women through business, creativity, and community.

About CleAnn Davis:

CleAnn Davis is the founder and visionary behind Neurospicy Black Women (NBW)—a growing movement that celebrates and supports Black women living with ADHD, autism, and other forms of neurodivergence. With a background in psychology and organizational management, CleAnn blends insight, lived experience, and passion to lead NBW into its next chapter: a thriving business that empowers and employs neurodivergent women through connection, collaboration, and creativity.

Connect with Neurospicy Black Women:

🌐 Website: neurospicyblackwomen.com

📘 Facebook Page: Neurospicy Black Women LLC

👩🏾‍🤝‍👩🏾 Private Facebook Group: Join Here

📸 Instagram: @neurospicyblackwomen

🎵 TikTok: @neurospicyblackwomen

Get 2 Weeks FREE in the Autism in Black® Community!

Looking for support, connection, and resources created specifically for Black parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children? Now's your chance to experience the Autism in Black® Community—FREE for 2 weeks!

Join us for the 6th Annual Autism in Black Conference 2026 — a safe, affirming space with real conversations, expert insights, and culturally responsive tools to support your journey in parenting, advocacy, and healing. Register here: https://funnel.autisminblack.org/conference2026

Support and Connect with Autism in Black:

Website: www.autisminblack.org

Social Media: Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter: @autisminblack

Facebook: @autisminblk

Join our community for networking, resources, and advocacy: www.autisminblack.org/membership

Thank you for tuning into the Autism in Black Podcast! Share your thoughts using #aibpod on social media. Together, let's continue to build a more inclusive and supportive community.

Welcome to the Autism in Black Podcast, hosted by Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC.

In this episode, we're joined by Coach Lee Hopkins, a Social Connections Coach and CEO of Patterns of Possibility LLC. After years of masking and struggling with loneliness, Coach Lee discovered the power of authenticity—and now helps late-identified autistic adults and professionals create real, meaningful relationships without burnout or exhaustion.

Through his coaching practice, workshops, and the Social Connections Summit, Coach Lee empowers people to build confidence, set healthy boundaries, and express their true selves with clarity. As the host of the Patterns of Possibility Podcast, he uses his own lived experience to normalize conversations about masking, belonging, and emotional safety.

This episode explores how unmasking can lead to deeper connections, how embracing your "Black sheep" identity can become a source of strength, and why expressing your emotions safely is key to building lasting relationships.

In This Episode:

Coach Lee Hopkins joins us for an inspiring and deeply relatable conversation about authenticity, belonging, and self-expression. Drawing from his own experiences as a late-identified autistic adult, Coach Lee unpacks what happens when smart, capable people spend years hiding who they are—and how unmasking can be the first step toward genuine connection.

He shares practical strategies for expressing emotions safely, embracing the feeling of being "different," and finding confidence in relationships at home, at work, and in community spaces.

Listeners will explore:

• The Cost of Masking: Why hiding your true self leads to exhaustion—and how unmasking opens the door to connection.
• Being the Black Sheep: How standing out can become a strength, not a setback.
• Expressing Feelings Safely: Simple ways to share emotions and build trust without fear of rejection.

About Coach Lee Hopkins:

Coach Lee Hopkins is a Social Connections Coach and the CEO of Patterns of Possibility LLC. After years of masking and feeling isolated, he now helps late-identified autistic adults and high-achieving professionals build authentic relationships with confidence and ease. Through personalized coaching, workshops, and speaking engagements, Coach Lee teaches practical tools for creating connection, setting boundaries, and cultivating self-awareness. He also hosts the Patterns of Possibility Podcast, where he explores topics like authenticity, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence.

Connect with Coach Lee Hopkins:

🌐 Website: www.patternsofpossibility.com

🧠 Take the Masking Quiz: Click here

🎥 YouTube: @patternsofpossibility

💼 LinkedIn: Coach Lee Hopkins

Get 2 Weeks FREE in the Autism in Black® Community!

Looking for support, connection, and resources created specifically for Black parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children? Now's your chance to experience the Autism in Black® Community—FREE for 2 weeks!

Join us for the 6th Annual Autism in Black Conference 2026 — a safe, affirming space with real conversations, expert insights, and culturally responsive tools to support your journey in parenting, advocacy, and healing. Register here: https://funnel.autisminblack.org/conference2026

Support and Connect with Autism in Black:

Website: www.autisminblack.org

Social Media: Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter: @autisminblack

Facebook: @autisminblk

Join our community for networking, resources, and advocacy: www.autisminblack.org/membership

Thank you for tuning into the Autism in Black Podcast! Share your thoughts using #aibpod on social media. Together, let's continue to build a more inclusive and supportive community.

Welcome to the Autism in Black Podcast, hosted by Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC.

In this episode, we're joined by Kea Lee, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, wife, and proud mother of two. As the founder of Moment of Behavior, Kea brings nearly a decade of experience helping parents, caregivers, and educators understand the "why" behind behavior and create meaningful, lasting change.

Blending her professional expertise with lived experience, Kea focuses on compassion-driven strategies that strengthen family connections and make daily life more manageable. She specializes in supporting families of autistic children, especially those navigating long waitlists for ABA services or facing challenging behaviors at home and in schools.

Kea's message is one of hope and empowerment—reminding caregivers that they are enough, that connection must come before correction, and that behavior is always communication.

Listeners will explore:

• Why behavior is communication and how to respond with understanding instead of frustration
• How "connection before correction" leads to meaningful growth and change
• The power of self-compassion—why caregivers don't need to be perfect, just present

About Kea Lee:

Kea Lee is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, wife, and proud mother of two. She is the founder of Moment of Behavior, where she empowers parents, caregivers, and educators to understand the purpose behind behavior and build calmer, more connected homes. With nearly a decade of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis, Kea combines professional expertise with empathy and lived experience to help families create sustainable, compassionate change. Her mission is simple yet powerful: remind caregivers that they are not alone, that they are enough, and that small, intentional steps can make a big difference.

Connect with Kea Lee:

🌐 Website: www.momentofbehavior.com

📸 Instagram: @momentofbehavior

📘 Facebook: Moment of Behavior LLC

✨ Free Resource: Parents, caregivers, and educators can book a Free 30-minute Meet & Greet Consultation at momentofbehavior.com

This no-obligation conversation offers a comfortable space to connect, discuss your child's unique needs, and determine if Kea's services are the right fit for your family.

Get 2 Weeks FREE in the Autism in Black® Community!

Looking for support, connection, and resources created specifically for Black parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children? Now's your chance to experience the Autism in Black® Community—FREE for 2 weeks!

Join us for the 6th Annual Autism in Black Conference 2026 — a safe, affirming space with real conversations, expert insights, and culturally responsive tools to support your journey in parenting, advocacy, and healing. Register here: https://funnel.autisminblack.org/conference2026

Support and Connect with Autism in Black:

Website: www.autisminblack.org

Social Media: Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter: @autisminblack

Facebook: @autisminblk

Join our community for networking, resources, and advocacy: www.autisminblack.org/membership

Thank you for tuning into the Autism in Black Podcast! Share your thoughts using #aibpod on social media. Together, let's continue to build a more inclusive and supportive community.

Welcome to the Autism in Black Podcast, hosted by Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC.

In this heartfelt episode, we're joined by Tia Howard, a Family Team Meeting Facilitator at the Child and Family Services Agency in Washington, DC. With over 23 years of experience supporting children and families, Tia has dedicated her life to creating collaborative spaces where families feel heard, supported, and empowered.

After her child was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2024, Tia's personal and professional worlds came together in powerful ways. Her journey deepened her commitment to advocacy, community connection, and finding balance as both a professional and a parent navigating autism.

She opens up about the importance of building a strong support system, prioritizing self-care as a parent, and how music can foster joy, healing, and connection between caregivers and their children.

Listeners will explore:

• How to build and sustain a supportive community as a parent or caregiver
• The importance of self-care and emotional wellness for parents
• How music can strengthen connection and communication between caregivers and children

About Tia Howard:

Tia Howard is a dedicated Family Team Meeting Facilitator with over 23 years of experience helping children and families thrive. A passionate advocate, wife, and mother of two, she combines her professional expertise with her personal journey as a parent of a child on the autism spectrum. Through her work and advocacy, Tia helps families find resources, build networks of support, and create spaces of joy and understanding within the autism community.

Connect with Tia Howard:

• Facebook: Tia Howard
• TikTok: @numba1mjfan

Get 2 Weeks FREE in the Autism in Black® Community!

Looking for support, connection, and resources created specifically for Black parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children? Now's your chance to experience the Autism in Black® Community—FREE for 2 weeks!

Join us for the 6th Annual Autism in Black Conference 2026 — a safe, affirming space with real conversations, expert insights, and culturally responsive tools to support your journey in parenting, advocacy, and healing. Register here: https://funnel.autisminblack.org/conference2026

Support and Connect with Autism in Black:

Website: www.autisminblack.org

Social Media: Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter: @autisminblack

Facebook: @autisminblk

Join our community for networking, resources, and advocacy: www.autisminblack.org/membership

Thank you for tuning into the Autism in Black Podcast! Share your thoughts using #aibpod on social media. Together, let's continue to build a more inclusive and supportive community.

Welcome to the Autism in Black Podcast, hosted by Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC. In this episode we're honored to have Dr. Berry Pierre for a critical conversation on healthcare misinformation, trust, and advocacy.

Together, they explore how gaps in communication allow misinformation to spread — often causing real harm — and why healthcare providers must take an active role in educating, protecting, and standing up for their patients. Dr. Pierre emphasizes that trust in healthcare is not automatic; it is built through proactive communication, transparency, and consistent support.

This episode challenges providers to advocate for truth and empowers patients to feel informed, respected, and supported in their care. At its core, the conversation reframes healthcare as a partnership — one rooted in trust, accountability, and shared decision-making.

In This Episode

• How unaddressed information gaps create space for misinformation
• Why online misinformation is especially dangerous in healthcare
• The responsibility providers have to advocate for their patients
• What it takes to build trust in patient-provider relationships

Key Takeaways

• If providers don't fill information gaps, misinformation will — and it spreads fast
• Trust in healthcare is built through proactive communication and consistent support
• Healthcare works best when providers actively advocate for their patients

About our Guest: Dr. Berry Pierre

Dr. Berry Pierre is a board-certified internist, national speaker, and digital health educator dedicated to empowering individuals and families to take control of their health. With over a decade of experience in internal medicine, he has treated patients across hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practice, giving him a broad understanding of the challenges people face in navigating the healthcare system.

As CEO of Pierre Medical Consulting and co-founder of Autism in Black®, Dr. Pierre works at the intersection of medicine, culture, and community. His mission is to confront healthcare inequities, combat misinformation, and equip families and organizations with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive.

As a father of two autistic children and husband to an autistic adult, Dr. Pierre brings lived experience, authenticity, and compassion to his work — blending medical expertise with personal understanding.

Connect with Dr. Berry Pierre

• Website: https://funnel.drberrypierre.com/index
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drberrypierretv
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drberrypierre
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drberrypierre/

Connect with Autism in Black®

• Website: www.autisminblack.org
• Membership Community: www.autisminblack.org/membership
• Instagram / TikTok / Twitter: @autisminblack
• Facebook: @autisminblk

Join Us at the 6th Annual Autism in Black® Conference

The 6th Annual Autism in Black® Conference is coming — and you won't want to miss it. This transformative gathering brings together Black autistic individuals, families, professionals, and advocates for powerful conversations, community connection, and tools for liberation.

Join us for a space rooted in joy, truth-telling, healing, and unapologetic advocacy — created by and for the community.

🎟️ Learn more and register here:

https://funnel.autisminblack.org/conference2026

Thank you for listening to the Autism in Black Podcast.

Share your thoughts using #AIBPod and help us continue building a healthcare system rooted in truth, equity, and care.

Welcome to the Autism in Black Podcast, hosted by Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC.

In this episode, we're joined by two powerful voices in healthcare and higher education—Carl A. Frizell, DMSc, MSPAS, PA-C, and Dr. Sheena D. Brown. Both are late-diagnosed autistic professionals whose journeys through medicine and academia have fueled their commitment to equity, inclusion, and disability justice.

Carl, a Physician Assistant, former PA educator, and award-winning faculty member, shares how his own experience with ableism in healthcare education led him to embrace self-advocacy and pursue systemic change.

Dr. Brown, a scholar, researcher, and advocate, combines her deep scientific background with her lived experience as an autistic and ADHD professional to challenge systemic inequities in education and healthcare. Through her research and leadership, she pushes for justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging while elevating the voices of marginalized and neurodivergent communities.

Together, Dr. Carl and Dr. Brown open up an honest conversation about navigating professional spaces as autistic adults, the importance of connection and community, and how neurodivergent professionals can reclaim agency through boundaries, advocacy, and systemic change.

In This Episode:

Carl Frizell, DMSc, MSPAS, PA-C, and Dr. Sheena D. Brown join us for a transformative conversation about life, leadership, and advocacy as late-diagnosed autistic professionals. They explore the journey from isolation to authentic connection, how to advocate for meaningful workplace accommodations, and why setting boundaries is essential for well-being and self-regulation.

This episode is a must-listen for professionals, educators, and anyone navigating neurodivergence in spaces that often fail to make room for it.

Listeners will explore:

• How to move from isolation to community and connection
• Practical strategies for advocating for accommodations in the workplace
• The role of boundaries and rules in supporting well-being and sustainability

Connect with Carl:

Instagram: cafrizell_pac

About Carl A. Frizell, DMSc, MSPAS, PA-C:

Carl A. Frizell is a late-diagnosed autistic Physician Assistant, educator, and disability justice advocate. With over eight years of clinical and academic experience, he has served in oncology, occupational medicine, and PA education—where he was honored with the PA Education Association's New Faculty Award in 2022. His lived experience with ableism in healthcare education propelled him into disability advocacy and doctoral studies in Change Leadership for Equity and Inclusion. Today, he works to dismantle ableist structures in healthcare and education, ensuring more inclusive systems for neurodivergent professionals.

About Dr. Sheena D. Brown:

Dr. Sheena D. Brown is a scholar, researcher, and advocate with more than 12 years in higher education. Diagnosed with autism and ADHD, she leverages both her scientific expertise and lived experience to fight for neurodiversity, justice, and equity. With a Ph.D. in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology from Emory University and a B.S. from Spelman College, Dr. Brown's work centers on dismantling systemic barriers that impact marginalized and neurodiverse communities. She is a powerful voice for change in education and health equity, inspiring others to embrace diversity and challenge inequities.

Get 2 Weeks FREE in the Autism in Black® Community!

Looking for support, connection, and resources created specifically for Black parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children? Now's your chance to experience the Autism in Black® Community—FREE for 2 weeks!

This safe, affirming space offers real conversations, expert guidance, and culturally responsive tools to help you navigate parenting, advocacy, and healing.

Join us today: https://funnel.autisminblack.org/aibcommunitytrial?el=couplessummit

Support and Connect with Autism in Black:

Website: www.autisminblack.org

Social Media: Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter: @autisminblack

Facebook: @autisminblk

Join our community for networking, resources, and advocacy: www.autisminblack.org/membership

Thank you for tuning into the Autism in Black Podcast! Share your thoughts using #aibpod on social media. Together, let's continue to build a more inclusive and supportive community.

Welcome to the Autism in Black Podcast, hosted by Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC. In this episode, we're joined by Charlotte Bachelor—a dynamic writer, advocate, and proud voice for the experiences of Black Autistic women and girls. Diagnosed with Autism and ADHD later in life, Charlotte began documenting her journey as a student at Michigan State University, where she earned her degree in Professional and Public Writing with a minor in African American and African Studies.

Through her powerful storytelling, Charlotte is reshaping narratives, curating Black Autistic joy, and inspiring a new generation to embrace their authentic selves. Her work uplifts voices too often overlooked, weaving together advocacy, identity, and creativity in ways that both inform and empower.

In This Episode:

Charlotte opens up about what it means to navigate your 20s with a late diagnosis of Autism and ADHD, and how co-occurring conditions shape the lived experience of neurodivergent women of color. She shares how joy can be an act of resistance, why representation matters deeply, and what she's learned about self-discovery, identity, and thriving in spaces that were not built with neurodivergent Black women in mind.

This episode is a must-listen for young adults, parents, and advocates looking to better understand the intersection of race, gender, and neurodivergence.

Listeners will explore:

• Navigating adulthood and self-discovery after a late Autism/ADHD diagnosis
• The impact of co-occurring conditions on identity and advocacy
• What it means to intentionally curate Black Autistic joy

Connect with Charlotte Bachelor:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-bachelor/

https://www.instagram.com/charlottesayss

About Charlotte Bachelor:

Charlotte Bachelor is a writer, advocate, and proud Detroit native committed to amplifying the stories of Black Autistic women and girls. She holds a B.A. in Professional and Public Writing and a minor in African American and African Studies from Michigan State University. A member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Incorporated, Charlotte is also a long-term trainee with the Michigan Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program. Through her writing and advocacy, Charlotte challenges stereotypes, uplifts underrepresented voices, and builds community through joy, authenticity, and storytelling.

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