Meet Nekita (they/he), a passionate advocate, future school librarian, and incoming UW-Milwaukee grad student! From leading youth forums to championing accessible pride events, Nekita infuses intersectional advocacy with unstoppable energy and joy. When they aren't empowering others, you can find them reading, writing, or meandering through nature. We’re so lucky to have this awesome advocate on the Network!

What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Nekita is a disabled advocate who has been fighting for themselves and others for as long as they can remember. They began advocating in an official capacity in 2015 as a delegate at the WI Youth Leadership Forum. From that point forward, he has dedicated himself to intersectional inclusion in various spaces, with a personal passion for making sure that disabled spaces are queer-friendly and pride events are accessible.

How are you involved with self-determination? What advocacy things are you involved in?

At 16 years old, Nekita was a delegate at the WI Youth Leadership Forum (YLF). Shortly after that, they completed the Youth in Partnership with Parents and Educators (YiPPE) course and the Partners in Policymaking class series. He later returned to the WI YLF as a staff member, where he continues to work today.

Over the years, Nekita has attended and spoken at several Self-Determination Conferences.  During their undergraduate studies, they tutored English and Language Arts through UW-Whitewater’s Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD), helping students learn how to research, comprehend, and write various assignments. Reflecting on this teaching philosophy, Nekita noted, "I pride myself on not just going through the motions as a tutor and teacher, but in truly walking through a subject with a student so that they can walk away with a deeper understanding of the subject."

Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?

An exciting new chapter is beginning for Nekita this fall as they head to grad school at UW-Milwaukee! He is pursuing a Master’s in Library Media and Information Sciences, complete with an additional teaching license. Driven by a lifelong passion for learning and inclusion, Nekita's ultimate goal is to become an inspiring school librarian who connects students with the resources they need to thrive!

What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?

Nekita advises people wanting to be more self-determined to find their community. While standing up for oneself is a very good thing, they believe that standing with others will not only help the cause but also bring joy and light into life that can sometimes be forgotten when the sole focus is on fighting.

What are some of your hobbies?

Nekita loves to write, read, and meander through nature. For those interested in his work, his writing can be explored at http://www.nk-writing.com.

***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.