Divas in Media and the Arts
Shining a Spotlight on Divas Who Are Sharing Their Talents
Divas With Disabilities strives to ensure that black and brown women and girls with disabilities are represented and depicted positively in the mass media, TV, film, publications and advertising.
On this page, check out several girls and women who have had the opportunity to realize some of their goals in these fields. Enjoy their talents.
Karneshia Shantel
Karneshia Shantel is an influencer, a model, Ms. Wheelchair Alabama 2020, an ADA consultant, a disability advocate, and a podcaster. She also has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair.
For more information, visit her Instagram at k.shantelofficial.
Zazel-Chavah O’Garra
Zazel-Chavah O’Garra is a model, actress, dancer and dance teacher. She is the founder and artistic director of ZCO/Dance Project, a physically integrated dance company. O’Garra has been on the cover of ESSENCE magazine twice.
She is also a brain tumor survivor.
Lauren “Lolo” Spencer
Lauren “Lolo” Spencer is an actress, model, disability lifestyle influencer, magazine founder, and host of the YouTube channel “Sitting Pretty.” She uses a wheelchair.
Two of her prominent roles were as Tracy in Give Me Liberty (2019) and Jocelyn in the series The Sex Lives of College Girls.
For more information, visit her Instagram at itslololove.
Day Al-Mohamed
Day Al-Mohamed is an author, filmmaker and disability policy expert with over 15 years of experience.
She is author of the novels Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn and The Labyrinth’s Archivist.
She is also a regular host on Idobi Radio’s™ Geek Girl Riot.
Karen A. Gasperini
Karen A. Gasperini is a children’s book author. Her titles include the Arianna’s Magic Boots series.
Click here to visit her Instagram at www.instagram.com/karengasperiniquiles.
Tameka Citchen-Spruce
Tameka Citchen-Spruce is a speaker, screenwriter, independent film producer, and disability justice advocate.
Her works include the documentary My Girl Story and the short film Justifiable Homicide. She’s currently working on an upcoming reality show docuseries titled Divas in the City.
Donna R. Walton
Donna R. Walton – the founder of Divas With Disabilities – is also an actress.
She has had roles in the 2023 Hulu series The Other Black Girl, which was adapted from the New York Times bestseller by Zakiya Dalila Harris, and the 2020 series The Retreat, which is now available to watch free on Crackle. (See more about these roles below.)
She has also been featured in other films and commercials and is currently co-executive producing an upcoming reality show docuseries titled Divas in the City.
Click here to open a new tab and read about her in RESILIENCE magazine.
To See More DIVAS (Dynamic, Illuminating, Victorious, Achieving Sisters) Outside of Media and the Arts, click here.
Don’t Miss It!
Shows to Watch That Include Black or Brown Girls or Women With Disabilities
The Other Black Girl
In this suspenseful 10-episode Hulu series, a young editorial assistant at a publishing company where she is the only black staff member is excited when a new black girl is hired. Then strange things begin happening, and she begins to suspect something isn’t quite right about the new girl. As the story develops, the suspense and danger grow.
Donna R. Walton, a lower-limb amputee and the founder of Divas With Disabilities, portrays the mother of one of the main characters in the series. Her character is disabled and uses a wheelchair.
This series can be watched at Hulu.com.
Give Me Liberty
In this 2019 comedy drama, a medical transport driver gets a bit sidetracked through no fault of his own. Chaos follows as his scheduled clients are impacted by the unexpected turn of events.
Lauren “Lolo” Spencer portrays Tracy, a client with ALS who uses a wheelchair.
This film was nominated for and won various awards and accolades.
The Retreat
At an all-black women’s retreat, one of the guests tells a group of women a startling secret. This suspenseful eight-episode series follows the story as one of the participants prepares to publish a book that threatens to expose that secret to the world. Rumors follow, and the women are caught up in a dramatic conflict.
Follow along, and enjoy the drama that unfolds from episode to episode. The series is now free to watch on Crackle.
Donna R. Walton, a lower-limb amputee and the founder of Divas With Disabilities, portrays Pamela Hairston, one of the main characters in the series.
