Women in Leadership

Growing up as a chocolate-brown African American girl who used a wheelchair, Tameka Citchen-Spruce heard "no" far too often. No-you can't be a model. No-you're not good enough. No-your dreams aren't possible. But, Tameka refused to let those "no's" define her. With faith, determination, and a clear sense of purpose, she turned rejection into redirection-advocating for inclusion in school, founding a nonprofit to empower women with disabilities, and producing a nationally streamed documentary amplifying Black girlhood. In From "No" to "Yes", Tameka shares how she transformed obstacles into opportunities, rising as a national speaker, award-winning disability advocate, and film producer. Her journey is a powerful reminder to anyone who has ever been underestimated: Their "no" does not cancel your "yes."