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Reader, At Essence Fest over the holiday weekend, I moderated a panel, had a founder feature, and hosted a Soft Stories sensory session all in one day. In between, I kept noticing people wanted to be inclusive but almost nobody had a framework for actually doing it, especially in their content. Most of the attendees I spoke with, particularly other New Voices founders, admitted they hadn't considered captions or image descriptions yet, but they were very appreciative of the insight. That's exactly what I'm bringing to you this Thursday, July 16th at 7pm Eastern Time. See Your Content Different: Accessibility as Creative Power, Not Compliance is a free live webinar and ask me anything where we're going to talk about what it actually looks like to build content that doesn't leave people behind — not as a box to check, but as a creative practice that makes your work stronger. If you create content with or without AI, run a brand, or work in media or marketing — this is for you. If there's a disability, accessibility, or inclusion topic you've always wanted to understand better, but weren't sure how to ask, your question may inspire someone else. We learn best when we're willing to listen, ask, and grow together. Catch Up on Previous Disability Pride ConversationsOver the past couple of years, Disability Pride Month has become one of my favorite times to create conversations that move beyond awareness toward action. As someone who is a retinoblastoma survivor, hearing aid with a mild hearing loss, storyteller, and media professional, Disability Pride isn't just something I observe—it's something I live every day. Some of the topics I've explored include: • Living with blindness in one eye and hearing loss If you've missed previous Disability Pride livestreams, now is the perfect time to revisit them and share them with someone who may need the encouragement or education. Accessibility isn't just about compliance—it's about belonging. Save this Disability Pride Month YouTube Playlist. Ways We Can Work TogetherIf you're looking to make your organization, event, or brand more inclusive, I'd love to talk more. 🎤 SpeakingBook me to speak about:
Self-Publishing & Personal BrandingHave a story that deserves to be told? I help authors and thought leaders:
Media & Content StrategyNeed support producing meaningful content? I work with organizations and entrepreneurs on:
Send me a DM with which service you need.
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Hi! I'm Zaakirah (zaa-key-ra) I help you Go from where you are (stuck, stagnant, scared) and where you want to go in your business and life (freedom). I provide Black and Indigenous creatives with strategies that empower them to achieve their goals through branding and storytelling, and marketing.For the last 20 years, I've been storytelling by any creative means necessary; photography, writing, film, and podcasting.I check all the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility boxes.I’m a visually impaired, hard of hearing, cancer survivor, chronically ill Muslim Woman. Knowing your history helps you propel and prepare for your future. Entrepreneurship is ownership, and flexibility is key. Sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter!
Reader, I'm thinking about the news of actress Hayden Panettiere's passing. I knew of her music from Disney Channel days, most people know her from Bring It On or Nashville. My favorite song of hers is My Hero is You. In May, she released her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning and shared her story publicly of being a child star and dealing with grief. Her passing is a reminder of something I've often spoken of: Heal, but also don't wait to tell the story. Don't wait to create the thing. Don't...
Reader, June this year, I had the opportunity to attend SXSW London 2026. SXSW (South by Southwest) brings together people from across technology, culture, media, music, film, and entrepreneurship to exchange ideas and shape what’s next. While the conference did an excellent job accommodating my hearing and vision dual sensory needs, accessibility is still treated as an add-on in most media, event, and experience design, when it should be the starting point. Being in that space reminded me...
Reader, Apparently, I have a pattern I hadn't named out loud before: I tend to move to a new place roughly every two years. I find myself packing boxes and luggages, moving to a new place, and stepping into a new season of life. I don't intentionally plan it that way, but looking back, it's a rhythm of embracing change, trusting the process, and creating space for what's next, while intentionally choosing a lesser known historically black city and neighborhood that has Black owned businesses...