Imani Barbarin

A peach gradient background with navy text has “The D-30 Disability Impact List” at the top centered above “2022 Honoree” which is in between two laurels. The words “Imani Barbarin she/her/hers United States” is to the left of a picture of Imani, which fills the right. Imani is standing with crutches wearing a black and gray striped tunic and sunglasses. At the bottom, “Diversability, #D30DisList.” fills the left corner.

Imani Barbarin (She/her/hers)

Disability Advocate | Crutches and Spice

United States

Imani is a Black woman with cerebral palsy and intentionally centers the voices of folks in the disability community who are most vulnerable, including BIPOC, queer folks, and folks who are living in poverty. Her expertise in global affairs and communication allow her to advocate for disabled folks from a truly intersectional lens. She advocates for how disability intersects with topics such as communication, politics, and social justice. She has been particularly active in calling attention to the treatment of disabled folks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Imani started #MyDisabledLifeIsWorthy, an internet campaign that centered the voices of disabled folks who have been disregarded and forgotten as society has chosen to transition “out” of COVID-19. While the CDC and politicians perpetuated the idea that “only” disabled folks would die, she platformed their voices and underscored the dangers of living in a society where disability is seen as a death sentence.