Today we’d like to introduce you to Devan Southerland
Hi Devan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Essentially, my story always begins on Fayette Street in East Baltimore. Growing up, I witnessed my Mom be a huge advocate for our family around everything from basic family services to educational support. To this day, that’s the source of my inspiration and what fuels my drive to improve the community for myself, my son and those who share space with us.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was the first person in my actual family to receive a Bachelor’s Degree and the first in my actual family to receive a Master’s Degree. While there are so many that supported me and encouraged me to keep going, it was a tough road finding those who could really give guidance from a lived experience. Coming from a majority-Black educational experience into a PWI (predominantly white institution) with a 13 percent Black population was tough! As there weren’t a ton of people reaching out to ensure internship opportunities, proper mentoring and guidance for me around my actual educational interest, I make sure that I position myself as a person who can connect people as best I can. Because of my natural desire to connect, I appreciate my own ability to pivot over the years through a number of paths and experiences as they’ve helped to shape where I’ve landed in the kind of work I like to do and the ways that I try to be impactful during my time on this planet.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
A great portion of my work is focused in advocacy for Black and Brown Autistic individuals. When my son was very young, I began an online social media page to blog as well as share resources with the community. Next year, Brown on the Spectrum will celebrate 10 years as a space for families to connect with one another and discover programming and support for Autistic loved ones. I am so very proud to have been selected to be a part of the Open Society Institute’s Baltimore Community Fellowship in developing an arm of BOTS focusing on community-focused, person-centered service learning for Autistic students in the city. What sets me apart from others is that this work will always exist for me as I’m navigating this space as a parent of an Autistic son as well as the older sister of an Autistic woman. I’ll always be on the lookout for how we can make services, programs and space more equitable and inclusive for people of all abilities.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I see growth in programming and services centered on equity and intentional inclusiveness. The big shift to me is the willingness, grace and openness to discuss neurodiversity in a variety of settings. Only good things can come from that and I’m here for it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brownonthespectrum.godaddysites.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brownonthespectrum/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brwnonthespctrm
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devan-southerland-802089b5
