A Story of Advocacy
In a new short documentary from BEAM+STORIES Season 2, Mikelle steps into the spotlight—not just as a storyteller, but as a lived advocate. As an author, speaker, and business owner, she brings deeply personal insight to disability advocacy, offering a voice that challenges stigma while radiating empowerment. Her film is one of nine highlighted this season in a collection dedicated to “breaking stigma and amplifying disabled voices” in Colorado’s communities.
“I want people to see that I have a full life,” Mikelle shares in the film, communicating through her iPad. “I have dreams, I have work I love, and I want to be heard.”
The Premiere: A Night at The People’s Theater
On Sunday, June 22, 2025, The People’s Building in Aurora hosted a free, sensory-friendly showcase of BEAM+STORIES. The event began with a warm community hour at 3 PM—inviting people of all abilities to mingle, explore creative work, and connect over shared values of inclusion and expression. At 4 PM, the lights dimmed, and the storytelling began.
The screening featured nine short documentaries, each capturing the story of a disabled creator in their own words, settings, and style. Mikelle’s film stood out for its joy, color, and clarity. True to her entrepreneurial spirit, the film highlighted her podcast, her handmade bracelet business, and her advocacy work through storytelling and art.
“It felt like walking into a space that was made for us—not adapted, not an afterthought. It was ours from the start,” one attendee said.
Mikelle’s Story: Advocacy in Action
Although every film was powerful, Mikelle’s story offered a deeply moving reminder that self-determination doesn’t always look the same—but it matters just as much. As a nonverbal woman with cerebral palsy, Mikelle runs her own small business with a support team, produces The Shining Beautiful Series Podcast, and uses her iPad to communicate, advocate, and connect with her community.
“I use my iPad to speak, but advocacy is more than words,” Mikelle says in the film. “It’s how I live every day.”
Watching Mikelle’s story on the big screen, surrounded by friends, support staff, and other creators, was a moment I won’t soon forget—as a mother, co-host, and advocate myself. I remembered Mikelle’s early years, when doctors said she’d never walk or speak. That little girl is now a grown woman whose story is changing hearts and reshaping narratives. Her joy is contagious. Her voice—digital or otherwise—is unmistakably powerful.
Team Reflections: Behind the Scenes of Advocacy
Mikelle’s support team also felt the impact of seeing her story come to life.
“It was surreal,” said Maryann, one of Mikelle’s team members and an artist herself. “You always know she’s doing amazing things, but to see it told so beautifully and publicly—it just lit something up in all of us.”
Another team member, Shannon, added: “We often get caught up in the day-to-day activities. But this reminded us why we do what we do. Mikelle is a force. And she’s not done yet.”
About Beam+: Creating with Care
Based in Denver, BEAM+ is a queer- and disability-led creative company dedicated to equity through the arts. Their work spans storytelling, art workshops, live events, and film projects, with a commitment to radical accessibility and authentic expression.
With every story they produce, Beam+ redefines what inclusion looks like—placing disabled creators at the center, not the margins. From visual art to advocacy to experimental film, they are building a future where everyone’s story can be seen, heard, and celebrated.
Closing Reflections
Mikelle’s Beam+ mini-documentary—and the screening that celebrated it—offer a vivid reminder that advocacy is not always loud, but it is always real. Whether she’s selling bracelets, recording a podcast, or showing up onscreen, Mikelle is redefining what it means to live a full life with purpose and pride.
As one audience member said after the credits rolled:
“Watching Mikelle’s film reminded me that disability doesn’t limit expression—it transforms it.”
Watch the full Beam+Stories Season 2 here:
🎥 https://beamplus.org/stories
🎨 Learn more about Beam+ and their mission: https://beamplus.org