Throughout Black History Month, we celebrate the contributions of Black Americans with disabilities who made a significant impact on our world. This week, we highlight the work of civil rights advocate Bradley Lomax.
Bradley Lomax (1950–1984), was a civil rights leader and disability advocate. The founder of the Washington, D.C. chapter of the Black Panther Party (BPP), he also rose to become a leader in the disability rights movement.
When disability rights activists staged a successful sit-in to urge the government to implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Lomax was there. He stayed in the building for nearly a month in protest, even after the government cut off the water supply and phone lines. Lomax asked the BPP to help, and they quickly began delivering food and supplies to the protesters. Many believe that the sit-in would have quickly fizzled out without this assistance.
Bradley Lomax had Multiple Sclerosis and used a wheelchair. His personal caregiver, Chuck Jackson, also a Black Panther, was one of the pivotal figures ensuring that the Black Panthers more explicitly included disability rights in their social activism.
Did you Know:
The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities formed a standing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion sub-committee in 2021, and has hired a DEI consultant. Deeply committed to improving cultural competency, diversity, equity, inclusion and linguistic responsiveness, the Council has taken steps to define the ways in which we strive to apply these principles in all aspects of our work. To learn more about the importance of this work, click here: https://njcdd.org/deicclr/
