October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)—Mikelle has been working since she was sixteen, and every year we recommit to creating inclusive opportunities for her work to shine.
For us at The Shining Beautiful Series, every month feels like NDEAM because employment is woven into the fabric of Mikelle’s life. For her, the money is secondary to the purpose, creativity, and connection.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit
Employment can be challenging for people like Mikelle who have more complex disabilities, so when traditional jobs and traditional employment providers didn’t work, Mikelle built her own.
From her kitchen-table studio, she launched Shining Beautiful Bracelets, crafting vibrant, custom designs that convey messages of hope and individuality. Each bracelet is a small act of inclusion—a reminder that everyone has something to contribute.
With a bit of tech and a lot of teamwork, Mikelle manages her inventory, greets customers, and makes design choices using her iPad. Mikelle’s team supports her creativity. I am her job coach, and, together, her small enterprise reflects her joy, style, and independence.
The Voice of Inclusion
Mikelle’s entrepreneurial journey expanded when she became a podcast co-host, sharing authentic stories about self-determination, employment, and community life. Through The Shining Beautiful Podcast, Mikelle and I amplify the voices of other people with disabilities who are breaking barriers, changing perceptions, and redefining what employment looks like for people with disabilities.
We think every episode is a window into the heart of inclusion—whether it’s interviewing a new team member, highlighting policy changes, or talking about how to sustain meaningful work as families age.
The Power of Partnership
Mikelle’s success has never been a solo act. It’s powered by collaboration—with her support team, vocational counselors, family, and friends who believe in her vision. Supported employment, at its best, is about partnership—aligning systems, creativity, and relationships so that people like Mikelle can work on their own terms.
We hope Mikelle’s experiences encourage others to focus on possibilities instead of limitations, and that communities thrive.
Looking Ahead
As NDEAM reminds us, inclusion is a shared responsibility. It’s a call to employers, policymakers, and neighbors to see ability first, recognize the innovation born of diversity, and make room at the table for every kind of talent.
Mikelle’s story continues to evolve—one bracelet, one podcast, one connection at a time. Her work is a celebration of what’s possible when opportunity meets determination.
So this October, and every month, we celebrate Mikelle—and all the shining stars of inclusive employment—who prove that meaningful work is not just a dream. It’s a right, a joy, and a path to a beautiful life