Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) through stories of inclusion, leadership, and empowerment.
The BeMore Active Together – All In On Inclusion Webinar, hosted by BeMore Developmental Support Services Inc., brought together advocates, community leaders, and self-advocates to explore what it truly means to create inclusive communities where everyone belongs.
The virtual event, held in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), showcased inspiring perspectives on inclusive leadership, financial empowerment, and community engagement. Guided by BeMore’s mission to empower potential and enrich lives, the discussions focused on turning awareness into action across Maryland and beyond.
Jovan Custis, Executive Director of the Orokawa Y in Towson, and ZayVon Johnson, Membership Director, shared their “Y Without Walls” initiative — a bold effort to bring YMCA programming directly into communities. Their message was clear: inclusion requires intention, accountability, and consistent effort to ensure every voice is valued.
Mary Alabaowo, a Financial Professional with World Financial Group and an Education Consultant at the Heartland Institute of Education, emphasized the transformative power of financial literacy for people with disabilities. She shared her personal journey and offered to lead future workshops on financial education and empowerment for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
One of the event’s highlights featured John and Mark X. Cronin, founders of John’s Crazy Socks, who shared their remarkable story of inclusion and entrepreneurship. Their company, employing people with differing abilities, has become a global symbol of joy and opportunity — proving that inclusion is not just the right thing to do, but also good business.
To further support the mission, John’s Crazy Socks partnered with BeMore to offer 10% off with code BMAT10 and special gift packages for participants — spreading happiness one pair at a time.
The event concluded with a unified call to action from Stephanie Ivie Igbinovia, Media Director of BeMore Voices:
> “Inclusion begins when we choose to see ability first and create systems that empower every individual to thrive.”
As BeMore continues collaborations with YMCA Central Maryland, World Financial Group, and John’s Crazy Socks, the organization remains committed to transforming awareness into lasting impact — building communities that empower, connect, and inspire.
Stay Connected:
https://www.bemoredss.com |
events@bemoredss.org | (443) 316-4011 | (973) 510-8750
Follow: @BeMoreDSS | @BeMoreVoices
