Keisha Greaves on Why Girls Chronically Rock!

KEISHA GREAVES is a motivational speaker, adaptive fashion designer, and a disability advocate.  She is the Founder & CEO of the brand, Girls Chronically Rock; Founder of GCR Adaptive Solutions; Founder of Trust Your Abilities Nonprofit for People of Color; and a Board Member of the Disability Law Center.

Keisha frequently speaks at conferences, for pharmaceutical companies,high schools, colleges, and universities to spread awareness about Muscular Dystrophy, work-life-chronic illness balance, raising money for causes, advocating for disability, and other related topics. Keisha has been featured in several national media outlets including Good Morning America, The Today Show, ABC News, and more. One of her proudest moments is when she was featured in Today Style Heroes 2018.

Keisha has personally worked alongside Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and successfully got September 30th officially proclaimed as Limb- Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Day. Furthermore, she also received theproclamation from previous Cambridge Mayor Marc McGovern and current Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui. Keisha earned her BA in Fashion Designand Merchandising from Framingham State University and an MBA from Cambridge College.

LINKS:

WEBSITE: girlschronicallyrock.com

INSTAGRAM: @girlschronicallyrockclothing

X: @girlschronical1

HOSTS: Steven McCoy & Amgie Castro with Katie Corbett

CO-PRODUCER: Angie Castro

PRODUCER: Akira Nakano

www.innovatinginclusion.org

Transcript

MUSIC FADES IN

ANGIE CASTRO

I would just like to ask: Target, what are you doing? 

STEVEN McCOY

I know. Seriously, what a shocker. Welcome to Innovating Inclusion, Everyone.

KATIE CORBETT

There are at least a dozen companies that have either paired back or dropped language about diversity, equity, and inclusion from their annual report according to NPR. Some of these companies are pretty big ones like Google and GM, Pepsi and Disney, Intel and PayPal. The list goes on and on. Even in places like Chipotle and Amazon, 

ANGIE 

We've had the chance to speak to Keisha Graves, a fashion designer and CEO of the brand “Girls Chronically Rock”. She talks about her journey being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and how she became an advocate for adaptive fashion design at her alma mater in Boston. 

STEVEN 

She also talks about how Target’s change in DEI policy affects her aspirations for her clothing line. 

KATIE

Yeah, that change really is impacting the way she's thinking about things, for sure. Everyone, please enjoy this episode of Innovating Inclusion with Keisha Graves. 

MUSIC FADES OUT

ANGIE

Hello everybody.We are very, very excited to talk about all things fashion. So Keisha, do you wanna tell us a little bit about yourself and your mission behind Girls Chronically Rock? 

KEISHA GREAVES

Yeah, definitely. Well, thank you so much for that. My name is Keisha Greaves. I'm the CEO and Founder of Girls Chronically Rock Clothing brand, which I started in 2017 'cause I wanted to help create something to help inspire and motivate others in the disability community.

I myself live with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, and I was diagnosed with that in around 2010. So it was while I was in graduate school, It wasn't even something I was born with. Kind of came outta nowhere. So as you could imagine, here I am in graduate school, early twenties, living my best life, you know, but still in school. But then started to get these really weird symptoms and trying to figure out what was going on within my body. But I always had a passion for fashion. I studied fashion design and merchandising at Framingham State University out here where I live, and I got a Bachelor's in Fashion Design and Merchandising. So I knew I always wanted to be a fashion designer, own my own business.

So of course, when getting those results, figuring out what was going on with my body and doctors saying, I have muscular dystrophy. I felt like my whole world changed and my life had shut down. But here I am doing podcast interviews.

Yeah. If you had met me a few years back, “Keisha do see yourself sharing your story or et cetera?”  I'll be like, No way!”  'cause you couldn't tell me I had muscular dystrophy. 

STEVEN

Now, were there any sign that led you to actually go to the doctor to get checked for this? 

KEISHA

The first one was definitely like, I noticed my leg would just give out.

The last time I remember during that time I was at the supermarket with my mom and sister, and I'm pushing the cart, and my leg just like totally gives out. And when I fell, oh, let me hop up, brush off. Mm. But it was like I was a dead weight, and my mom and sister could not even lift me up. 

STEVEN

Wow. 

KEISHA

So I remember a guy who came over and he kind of lift me up, was able to grab me.'cause it was like I said, like a dead weight. Another symptom I noticed was, like I would be at home. I was living with my mom still at the time. And trying to reach for certain things, like in the cabinet, I noticed my arm wouldn't really extend out as it should at the supermarket. My mom and sister were like, I think like, something's not right. You've been falling a lot. You know, let's go to the doctors, get it checked out. 

So we are thinking maybe it's just something in the feet. So we go see an orthopedist out here in Boston, Mass at Tufts Medical Center, and I always remember that appointment. I go into orthopedics. They asked me to lift my right leg up and my right leg would not extend out as it should.

And that was the first time they witnessed that. So they both kind of looked at each other puzzled themselves and they were like, you know what? I think you need to see a neurologist. And I'm just like a neurologist?  So they're like, you know, 'cause we think it's more something neuromuscular.

STEVEN

Yeah. 

KEISHA

I'm not really still thinking anything of it. I'm just thinking maybe I just need to exercise. I need to lose some weight. This will blow over. But that wasn't the case. 

So once I went to go see a neurologist, we kind of pretty much just went to it. We got MRI, -EKG, EMG, all these different testings I never heard of.

But most interesting of all was that I got a muscle biopsy where they took a piece of muscle from outta my leg to test it. Always remember that day when I got that phone call, my neurologist said, “Keisha, we got your test results back. You have muscular dystrophy.” I'm like, “What is she talking about?” I never heard of it. Nobody in my family seemed to have it. I'm like, you must have got these test results mixed up. What? I was just kind of brushing it off, but a part of me knew that it had to be some truth to it. 'cause as soon as I hung up with her. I go straight to Google like most of us do.

STEVEN

Yeah, that's right. We know not to do that. right? 

KEISHA

I totally shut down. Even going up to follow up appointments with her, I thought as I walked in, she was gonna say, “Keisha, you know, we got your test results mixed up. You don't have muscular dystrophy. This was such and such.” But that wasn't the case. Even when I was doing, working in retail, starting to do physical therapy, and had to use a cane, I would tell my co-workers, oh, I was in a car accident, or I sprayed my ankle.

That's how much in denial I was 'cause it sounded better to say either  “Oh, car accident, ankle…” what was in the back of my head. I'm like, “This thing is here to stay.”

STEVEN

Yeah. 

KEISHA

But I just wasn't willing to say, I have muscular dystrophy. This kind of came outta nowhere. Just looking back of how much I feel like I took for granted, just opening the door without not even thinking about an accessibility button.

Whereas now, I'm just like, I need that. You know, I need to make sure this place has an elevator. So I tell people to this day, I was able to live the able-bodied life from that perspective. But now I'm a part of this awesome disability community, whereas my eyes has opened up so much, not just with me, but family and friends... Where.we all have to kind of learn together

. 

STEVEN

I actually absolutely empathize with you in that regard because even when I was diagnosed with Usher syndrome, retinal eye disease that causes blindness and hearing loss, when I would go to places and I was still trying to assess my disability, some event that I go to, they offer free drinks and sometimes I'm not able to see and.people would say, “Whoa, like you, are you okay? Those really were strong drinks.” Yeah. Which that would not even be the case. Sometimes I would not even touch a glass of wine, but I felt like it was easier to digest for not only myself but for others. And you mentioned that your family would literally there, and they were the one that suggest.

that maybe you should get checked out, which was the same for my family as well. It was something that you and your family both had t

to learn together. Did you go through those stages of grief where you might have even been upset or angry or just confused or scared? 

KEISHA

I totally shut down at that diagnosis. Even like, I wouldn't even tell my cousins. The only reason my cousins knew at that time was because my mom corresponded with my aunties, her sisters. You know how that goes. So, but I wasn't like, oh yeah, this is what I have. Friends would ask me to go out. I was just making excuses. 'cause I'm just like, what did this doctor just tell me?

Like, I'm just trying to process it all. And then when I did wanna go out, it was like if a place had stairs, you know, 'cause again, this is my early twenties, so I'm still going out to bars, you know, having fun. No, it was just that I was scared. 

ANGIE

Yeah, like you're still young. You still wanna live it up. How did you start adapting when it comes to your disability? When did you realize the importance of inclusivity? 

KEISHA

Two great questions. How we kind of helped me, and I tell people to this day, I'm like, I still have my days. So I wanna say that first and foremost. I'll tell people, I'm like, yeah, you may see me laughing on this, you know, podcast, et cetera, but I'm like, you know, sometimes at night then I go, I cry.

Sometimes I'm wide awake. Sometimes my PCAs are getting on my nerves, you know? So it's a lot that goes in with it. But what helped me was during that time, my friend at the time was like, “Hey, why don't you write a blog, share your story?” And this was like the early stages about your diagnosis. And I'm like. “Why would I do that? I don't have muscular dystrophy.” So that's still in denial I was, but eventually I just kind of opened up my laptop and started typing and just venting, like how I am, you know, with you guys now about that journey. And as I was typing and saying it out loud, I was like, “I have muscular dystrophy!”

It was like, it took that moment, nevermind what the doctor was saying, it was me typing it out loud, typing it as a blog, and I'm like, “I have muscular dystrophy. That's crazy.” So I remember just posting it. I don't even think I proofread it, nothing. I just posted on Facebook, Tumblr, I know it was popular at that time. And I remember I was just like, boom, there it is. 

And I remember getting such great feedback. People that talk to me or see me on a daily basis at these stages, you couldn't look at me and see I had muscular dystrophy unless you, you know, probably maybe see me waddle a little bit. But I didn't have a cane. I was still driving doing this. So people was like, oh my god, you know, I know this person that has that in. Just turned it all more like support thing. But what really helped me was on social media using hashtags, disability awareness, hashtag muscular dystrophy, and meeting other individuals that look like me.

Black creatives, you know, doing their thing on social media, some with muscular dystrophy, with different illnesses… It didn't make me feel alone. I felt like reaching out, going to different support groups. 'cause like I always say, yes, you may get the supportive family and friends, but there's nothing, nothing like talking to somebody who knows what disability looks like.

ANGIE

I agree. I'm blind. I've been blind since birth. I relate with you, and I empathize with you over the fact that it took me to accept that I'm blind. I didn't grow up with blind people. I didn't meet blind people till I was a teenager. So even then I had to really accept, well, this is my disability and I'm meeting people that I can relate to.So, I mean, that's just the comment I wanted to make. 

KEISHA

Thank you for sharing. And then I'm sure you probably feel much better when you met other individuals like yourself 'cause they get it. 

ANGIE

Yeah. 

KEISHA

Yeah, 

STEVEN

Absolutely. Now going into Girl Chronically Rock. Where did that come from? I saw a lot of your themes over the years and you truly are one that really rocked. So I think everyone needs to hear the actual story of how you were able to turn your lemons into lemonade. 

KEISHA

So how it got started, as I mentioned, I live and breathe fashion…  looked up to designers such as Betsy Johnson, Kimora Lee Simmons, and Tommy Hilfiger. And so I always knew I wanted to be a fashion designer.

So of course, when things took a turn. You know, when I got that diagnosis I was like, what does my future hold? What's going to happen? 

I was like, you know what? It's time to start putting my fashion degree to use, and I'm a true believer in things do happen for a reason. I live by that. I may not believe in… Why now? Why I have muscular dystrophy? But I was like, let me create something to help inspire and motivate others in the disability community with expressing that through fashion. 

So I'm a huge person on graphic t-Shirts 'cause I love inspirational quotes. As you can see, my mantra is, “Hello, my name is chronically ill badass”.

Like, yeah, we may have a disability point of view, but we're doing us, um, walk with the twist. And like I say, I waddle. I used to walk like a penguin. We walk with sometimes a walker or a cane. And then another one. “Trust your dopeness”. Trust and believe in yourself. So how I came up with the name is that I knew I wanted something with the word chronic in it, but I didn't know how I wanted to incorporate it at the time

So honestly, I was just lying in bed one night sleeping. That's when most of my creative ideas come to mind and designs whatever, and something just came to me, “Girls Chronically Rock”. I was like, I like that. I like the way it sounded. I like the way it flowed. It's empowering. Yeah. And I just like kind of just went with it from there.

I first started selling on Etsy .Over time I revamped it. Got someone got a grant where someone can create, built my website. 'cause I'm so not tech savvy here. You know, we just kinda blew up. I'm not saying like it's big, it's still not where I want it to be. Like I would still love to get it into retail channels.

Target was my number one choice. I wanted to, but now hearing that they dropped their DEI is very, very disappointing to me. It's not just clothing, but I look at it as a movement. Where I'm also doing speaking engagements, wanna bring this awareness to different universities, especially where I graduated from.

I want fashion students to learn how to create adaptive fashion for people like myself with disabilities. 'cause that's so important. 'cause when I was in school I wasn't thinking about that. So many things I took for granted. You know, I was an able body,.. able to run up and down the stairs in my dorm room with groceries, laundry, all of that.

So it's like I wasn't thinking about adaptive fashion. So now that I'm in this situation and I have that awareness, I brought that back to my university at Framingham State where, you know, the fashion students now are learning about adaptive fashion. 'cause I think that's so important. So many designers now, like Tommy Hilfiger, Kohl's, Target, now has an adaptive line.

So it's becoming more popular and I'm excited to see that. My dream, I would love to work with Tommy Hilfiger one day, So I'm like, “Oh, come on, Tommy.” You know, just trying to bring that awareness. 

I also did New York Fashion Week two years ago. That was an amazing experience that was on my bucket list, so I was so excited to see that.

And looking back at pictures just to this day, I'm like, wow, I did New York Fashion Week. So it was just like, I feel like it's still so much more I wanna do, and I just live and breathe fashion, but also, bringing that awareness through disability advocacy, because now I'm just like such a huge disability advocate advocating for so many things,... serving on boards…. Whereas, like I said, if you had asked me this years back, I'll be like, no way. I don't have muscular dystrophy. Why would I be talking about that? 

STEVEN
Right. What are other people's reaction to other women and other girl their reaction to what you're doing? And I also have to ask about your thoughts on the DEI program being removed, because a lot of, uh, fashion designers and clothing designers… I put my feet in your shoes and try to think about where are you guys standing in this moment? Are you afraid? Where? How are you gonna maneuver around this to be able to still make sure that you're inspiring and making sure you still stand 10 times stronger and taller? 

KEISHA

Yeah, I mean definitely it's a work in progress. For the first question, I would say for the feedback and responses I get, you know, has been amazing. I love when someone places an order or when I hear that bling from my Shopify and I'm like, someone wants to buy my t-shirt. And then I love when they repost it on social media, et cetera. I love when after I do a speaking engagement, um, people will say, oh, I love your story. I'm gonna buy a t-shirt. Um, you know, for my daughter's friend, she has a disability, or I'm just gonna buy this t-shirt for my wife to show support. And when I get messages like that, even messages from you guys that, oh, you wanna interview me on your podcast? I'm like, really? Me? Because sometimes, you know, I can doubt myself. Sometimes I'm just like, you know what am, am I? Are people understanding my mission? 

And then as far as the DEI, I've been trying to get into Target for years. Especially, I was happy when they first created that DEI program after the George Floyd incident. And I'm like, oh wow. You know, this is awesome.

Maybe you know that's gonna be my year one year. But when I heard like recently how they just. Dropped it. I was just like, I was so surprised. I freaking love Target. I get everything from their household stuff, whatever. And so I love that people are coming together to boycott it, but then it's like, I'm kind of torn because like Tabitha has her line and Target and she's like,, “Yes, I get what you guys are saying.” But then she was like, “If you not shopping, there's gonna…

STEVEN

Tabitha Brown y'all. 

KEISHA

Yes, Tabitha Brown. And I'm just like, she made a good point. All right. We boycott it, but then we're also letting our, our people down. Minority businesses that are already in there. But I'm just like, I feel like we're so surprised at Target. Wow, this is how you really feel? I feel like they were two-faced. I know. Whereas other stores like Costco, Apple, other ones that I'm like, wow, I never even shopped at Costco. But just to see that and I see like ton and stuff. Like walk through a Costco store like two weeks ago, I was like, now I'm gonna go sign up and have a membership. Because I'm like, I respect that for them. You know, fighting back and I'm just realizing, DEI goes so deep. It's not just minorities. People with disabilities, right? So my line's never gonna get into Target. They never probably had a option to even have me in there. So that's how I think. Amazon is tough. Amazon, I shop my groceries off of there. How they quickly drop the DEI too. I'm like, wow, that's how you really felt. So it's something I'm still processing.Figuring out what, what are the next steps. But I'm thinking that they have, maybe I'm being naive, but I'm thinking they have some kind plan… why they let that there has to be something they're about to do. So I'm just waiting. That's my hopes are, but I don't know. 

STEVEN

And if you continue to do what you do, I feel like it's very possible for someone to see you and your mission and suddenly just tilt their head and say, you know what? Maybe we can bring it back. You never know. So that's why their mission is important. I, we definitely wanted to get your thought on that, so thank you so much for giving up that. 

ANGIE

I really hope that they could do something to bring it back. 'cause it's truly very scary and very devastating that that is something that is happening in our world currently.

I know you said that Betsy Johnson is one of your biggest inspirations and I love her. I love her style. I own two pairs of her platform, rhinestones sneakers, and I love wearing them. I do wanna ask you, what has been one of the greatest lessons that you've learned by being an entrepreneur? 

KEISHA

I would say that…. Number one,... being more humble. Second, I don't know it all. I tell people to this day, I'm like, yeah, I may have been in business since 2017. I may have a disability since 2010, but I feel like I'm still learning along the way. I don't know it all networking, going to those networking events, joining those groups like on Facebook, Boston Business, women.

Women Helping Women Entrepreneurs, to support groups with  disabilities. I'm still learning something new every day. I don't know everything. So just being more humble and networking. You never know who knows who, like, you know, connections. I'm waiting for someone to say, Hey, I know Betsy Johnson, I know Tommy Hilfiger, 

STEVEN

As a person with a disability, f you dare to request for money, it's almost as if you should just be lucky that we have chosen you or those sorts of things. Have you been in situations like that where you've had to stand up for yourself and let people know your work? 

KEISHA

Yeah, definitely. That's a great question because I feel like earlier on when I was becoming more comfortable doing speaking engagements, I didn't really mind 'cause I'm sharing my story networking. Sometimes the speaking engagements lead into sales after, you know, with my t-shirt line. But over the time I'm just I'm bringing some great information here. You know, so I'm just, I wanna get hired. I even post on LinkedIn when some people have reached out and they're, oh, hey, we would love to have you speak.

And you know, I may say, oh, a price, or is this compensating? And they kind of like, oh, they kind of shocked at first. And then I had this one person, when I gave her a price of how much, you know, I would charge. She was like, “Oh wow, good for you.” So it was like she wasn't used to that. Like she probably was like, oh wow, look at her. She's comfortable asking for this amount. Whereas another person may have just been honored, like you said, like they feel like, oh, honored that I even asked out, asked you to speak at my engagement. So it definitely took some time, but now I'm more confident talking about service. And and topics. Like I said, now I'm so much more open, like I don't care anymore.I say whatever, any questions you ask me, I'm like, I tell it how it is because I realize that has helped me connections and serve on the different boards. 'cause I'm not like being around the bush. I'm like, this is what it is. This is what needs to be done for the disability community.

STEVEN

Where do you see yourself? In the next five to 10 years as far as growth [00:20:00] is concerned? 

KEISHA

Um, honestly, when I get asked this question, I tell people, I'm like, I'm not gonna feel like I made it until I start making and living like the Kardashians, because I'm like, I wanna build that empire. I don't just see Girls Chronically Rock as clothing. I see it so much more, especially air travel. I'm like, plus I used to love traveling with my wheelchair. It's so discouraging. Look at how they just throw out wheelchairs to the side. It's like we land, and I got no wheelchair. People don't realize if we don't have our wheelchair, that's our legs. So I'm thinking about so much more.

Girls Chronically Rock Airlines. Girls Chronically Rock Folding Stationary. They kind of have this whole big vision.

STEVEN

Angie, and I, we could just go to this dermatologist together to get our face suit and you know why not? 

ANGIE

I'd definitely be down for that, and I think it's great to have big dreams and big aspirations. What advice would you give to young people that want to become entrepreneurs… that want to get involved in universal design? Maybe even fashion design, whether it's a young person with a disability or somebody that doesn't have a disability but that wants to make a difference in the world and be inclusive.

KEISHA

When I get asked this question, I tell people, if you have an idea, you have a vision, you wanna start something, I say, just do it. Because before you know it, it will be up and running. What definitely helps me is again, that networking. Even if you are in high school, like how I took a fashion illustration class, 'cause I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer.Find out if your school has fashion classes or maybe entrepreneurship classes. 

Another thing that helped me along the way is as I got older out here in Massachusetts, a lot of accelerated programs were offered, Like I did E for All. I did a bootcamp where that accelerated program has helped me get to Girls Chronicle Rock to this day, offering grant opportunities, networking, collaboration. So definitely like that network, going on Facebook when you're old enough. And of course, these young people today, TikTok. TikTok is where it's at. I know I go there, but when I'm having a bad day, like TikTok makes me laugh. I may not post a lot of content, but just go in there watching other people's videos.I get inspiration and it puts me in a different mood. So I would say go for it. You know, talk to your teachers at your school. Say, “Hey, this is what I wanna do. Do you have recommendations? Does the school support that? Do they have this program here? Do you…?” 'Cause before you know it, your business will be up and running.Your vision. Don't hesitate, Just do it.

 MUSIC BUMPER

STEVEN

So now we are getting to our fire questions. 

ANGIE

So every time that we have a guest on, we always conclude each episode with's rapid fire questions. So the first question that I will be asking you is, what do you envision? I used to Invision? 

KEISHA

Honestly, sometimes like, oh, I can get up and walk again. But sometimes I'm just like, I'm okay in my wheelchair. I got the best seat in the house. So that's number one. But overall, envision, I wanna see Girls Chronically Rock empire. Sometimes I feel like us in the disability community need our own city. We need our own housing. We need so much more. It's like we're kind of our own individuals. I wanna envision accessible airlines where we don't have to get outta our wheelchair. If I wanna go to Barbados, Jamaica, wherever. I just want a world all inclusive, all in, you know, everyone gets along.

STEVEN

I love that. Now the next one is, what do you know to be true? 

KEISHA

What I know to be true is that I'm black and that I'm a woman and that is something I gotta conquer each and every day. That is something I felt like ever since, especially November 5th, 2024, I felt like I had to fight even harder because of, you know, who I wanted to get elected. Did not. Ready for a black woman, a woman at that, you know, to become president. So that was a damper, so that now I realize I have to fight even harder. But I do know I'm black. I'm a woman, and I'm someone with a disability, and I just have to make strives every day. 

STEVEN 

Love that. 

ANGIE

Can you tell us one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you? 

KEISHA

Hmm. I mean, I love tv. I don't know if people would be surprised, but I tell people TV is was what keeps me sane when I'm down and wondering why me or my caregivers, or getting on my nerves, et cetera, whatever it may be, that entertainment  keeps my mind occupied.

STEVEN

Yeah.

KEISHA

Another thing is like I tell people going on TikTok, I could be in bed crying, but then I go on TikTok and just scrolling and I'm like, I love people sharing their videos, different things. Even when TikTok just went down for that day for a few hours, I was panicked. 

ANGIE

Oh my God. that was brutal.

KEISHA: Exactly right. Like a lot of people don't realize like it's not just for content creators. I was like, people don't realize that. It's kind of a therapeutic forus.

STEVEN

And you know, you mentioned therapeutic. Going into our last rapid fire question, if you were stranded on a desert island, what accessible assistive technology would you grab?

KEISHA

First things I thought of was ramp elevator. I'm like, those things are a must. And then of course I would say my phone 

STEVEN (3): gotta have that, right? 

KEISHA

Yes. Right. And gotta have TikTok on there. But I would say those three of course, like someone like my, uh, wheelchair, obviously. Um, that would be, I would want that. Oh man. Then I would need the charger. You see, it goes to expand so much. But I would say elevator ramp, cell phone. 

STEVEN

I love it. It was such a pleasure having you on Innovating Inclusion, That’s something you are absolutely doing with Girls Chronically Rock, and we thank you so much and how can, how can the people contact you, reach out to you and support this mission?

KEISHA

Yeah, definitely check out my website, GirlsChronicallyRock.com. I am also on TikTok, GirlsChronicallyRock. I am on Instagram. I'm owner of Girls Chronically Rock. But yeah, you'll find out all my contact information on social media, email, everything is there, and feel free to reach out if you, even if you're not purchasing anything, I'd love to just get messages from other individuals like, oh, hey, I have this disability, or.I know someone that has muscular dystrophy and et cetera. I love connecting and, you know, networking with others in the disability communities.

STEVEN

Love that. Thank you so much. 

KEISHA: Thank you for having me.

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NARRATOR

The 40-day boycott of Target has ended as of April 17th, with its stock in early April dropping to a four year low.   Foot traffic has also dropped for 10 consecutive weeks in its retail stores.

Innovating Inclusion is a program of the Fox Family Foundation whose mission is to break the link between poverty and disability. The goal is to teach high school and college students to innovate with universal design in mind, where young entrepreneurs of all abilities create side-by-side, so as they become the next generation of leaders and hiring managers, any stigma is gone, and the world is accessible to everyone. 

Our hosts today are Steven McCoy and Angie Castro with Katie Corbett.  Our theme song was written by Alex Cap, with incidental music by Travis A. King and Bruce Maginnis.  Today’s episode was Co-Produced by Angie Castro. Our producer is Akira Nakano.

Please visit our website, innovatinginclusion.org.

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