In Pennsylvania: Honoring Black Women’s Lives and Lifting Families Navigating Autism

We sit down with Vashti DuBois, Founder and Executive Director of The Colored Girls Museum (TCGM) in Philadelphia—a groundbreaking, place-based “living museum” dedicated to honoring the “ordinary extraordinary” lives of Black women and girls.Shimera Dennis shares the inspiring story behind D&D Journey – Children with Disabilities Matter, a Harrisburg-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting children on the autism spectrum and their caregivers. Motivated by her own experience raising two children with autism, Shimera created the organization to fill critical gaps in local resources and advocacy. In honor of Autism Awareness Month, she opens up about her journey, the challenges families face, and the impact of building a supportive community for those navigating autism.