In this moment of racial justice reckoning, it is imperative that philanthropy lift up the voices of all Black people — especially those whose unique challenges may be sidelined because they also co-identify and co-exist as members of other historically marginalized groups.

Like people with disabilities.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. have a disability, making the disability community one of the largest groups in the country. CDC data also show that 25% of adults within this population identify as Black.

Zakiya Mabery knows these stats and experiences firsthand and lives them daily. The founder of B. Global Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Planning, she has spent the last 12 years working with military, government and corporate leaders to help get their spaces to be safer and more inclusive spaces for their employees and audiences.

I asked Mabery about disability justice activism, the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) sector and what the philanthropic community can do to center the disability community in efforts to eradicate systemic racism.

What’s clear is that as organizations ponder how they are showing up in the current moment and reflecting how they can share, build and wield power, they need to center decision-making authority to community voices and engaged experts like hers.

Read the full Q&A about disability justice activism by Adam Fishbein at the National Committee For Responsive Philanthropy.