North Texas Disability Chamber

08/21/2026

🏆 MEET OUR THIRD 2026 HONOREE: ANNETTE UNDERWOOD

The North Texas Disability Chamber is proud to recognize Annette Underwood as the recipient of the 2026 Cynt Marshall Catalyst for Inclusion Award! 💜

As Vice President of Field Human Resources at Vistra, Annette oversees the Human Resources team as well as Workforce Development and Inclusion, helping shape programs that strengthen Vistra’s workforce through college partnerships, internships, internal career opportunities, and inclusive talent development.

Her commitment to building stronger pathways to employment extends well beyond her role at Vistra. Annette serves on the Texas State Technical College Advisory Board, Texas Woman’s University Jane Nelson Leadership Council, and the South Dallas Employment Project Advisory Council. She is also contributing to national conversations about the future workforce through initiatives focused on emerging energy technologies and the technician economy.

Annette’s leadership demonstrates what it means to be a catalyst for inclusion; bringing people, workforce development, education, and opportunity together to create pathways where more individuals can contribute, grow, and succeed.

Named in honor of Cynt Marshall, the Catalyst for Inclusion Award celebrates leaders who turn inclusion into action and use their influence to create meaningful, lasting change.

Congratulations, Annette! We are proud to celebrate your leadership and impact at the 2026 North Texas Disability Chamber Awards Luncheon - 5 Years of Impact.

📅 Thursday, September 3, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM–1:30 PM
📍 Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park | Plano, Texas

Purchase tickets today: https://ntxdc.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2026NTXDCAwardsLuncheon

Join us as we celebrate Annette and other extraordinary leaders helping create a more accessible, inclusive, and opportunity-driven North Texas!

08/19/2026

🎙️ SEASON TWO STARTS HERE!

We’re kicking off Season Two of the Let’s Work Inclusively Podcast with Dr. Shahriela Ganjoor of Modern Bite Dentistry, home of Veneer Lounge! 🦷✨

Get ready for a lively and candid conversation about Dr. Ganjoor’s entrepreneurship journey, what it means to elevate the patient experience, and how accessibility and disability inclusion intersect with building a successful business.

New season. New conversations. More opportunities to learn, challenge ourselves, and work inclusively. 💜

Coming soon next week.

08/18/2026

Please welcome our newest Activist Partner, Daymark Living!

"Daymark Living stands on the idea of Independence and acceptance and integration into the community. We believe that the North Texas Disability Chamber has the same fundamental ideals as us to strengthen those with intellectual disabilities." - Ed Oliva, Executive Director

Interested in learning more about becoming a Chamber Partner? Please visit us at www.ntxdc.org/joinus.

08/14/2026

MEET OUR SECOND 2026 HONOREE: SAMAR WAQAR

The North Texas Disability Chamber is proud to announce Samar Waqar as the 2026 recipient of the Meryl K Evans Self-Advocacy Award!

A leadership coach, disability advocate, and community builder, Samar has dedicated her work to advancing human potential through science, strategy, advocacy, and inclusion.

As Founder & Executive Director of Kind Theory, Samar is helping build neuroaffirming communities through education, advocacy, and meaningful connection. She is also the Founder of Yield to Lead, where she combines cognitive neuroscience and behavioral science to help leaders better understand how the brain shapes communication, decision-making, and leadership.

At the heart of Samar’s work is a powerful belief: people deserve environments where they can belong, contribute, lead, and thrive.

Through her advocacy and leadership, Samar continues to amplify disability voices, challenge assumptions, and create stronger pathways toward belonging and opportunity.

We are honored to recognize Samar Waqar with the 2026 Meryl Evans Self-Advocacy Award during the North Texas Disability Chamber’s 2026 Awards Luncheon - 5 Years of Impact!

📅 Thursday, September 3, 2026
📍 Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Purchase tickets today: https://ntxdc.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2026NTXDCAwardsLuncheon

Please join us in congratulating Samar on this well-deserved recognition! 👏

08/11/2026

Please welcome our newest Activist Partner, The Stray Point Project!

"The Stray Point Project empowers neurodivergent artists through professional art education and exhibitions that showcase their talents. We’re proud to join the North Texas Disability Chamber because of its leadership in advancing disability inclusion and creating meaningful opportunities for individuals and organizations to make a lasting impact together." - Matthew Baek, Founder & President

Interested in learning more about becoming a Chamber Partner? Please visit us at www.ntxdc.org/joinus.

08/07/2026

INTRODUCING OUR FIRST 2026 HONOREE

The North Texas Disability Chamber is proud to announce State Representative Mihaela E. Plesa as the 2026 recipient of the Richard “Rick” Grady Public Service Award!

Representing Texas House District 70, Rep. Plesa has become a strong and effective advocate for Texans with disabilities—advancing greater accessibility, opportunity, and independence across our communities.

Since joining the Texas House in 2023, her work has helped expand access to hearing aids and related care, strengthen long-term care supports, improve election accessibility, and advance protections for Texans with disabilities.

Most notably, Rep. Plesa has helped secure nearly $10 million for Texas’ Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program over the past four years; the first new state investments in ECI in more than a decade.

Her leadership has earned her recognition as a Legislative Champion by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities—and now, we are excited to celebrate her!

Join us on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the 2026 NTXDC Awards Luncheon as we honor Rep. Plesa and celebrate our organization's 5 Years of Impact! 🎉

Purchase your tickets today: https://ntxdc.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2026NTXDCAwardsLuncheon

07/23/2026

Jenny Stonemeier, CEO of Reach Incorporated, joins Dylan M. Rafaty to reflect on the significance of Disability Pride Month and the ongoing fight for disability rights. Together, they explore meaningful employment, accessible housing, and the power of community collaboration to create opportunities that allow people with disabilities to live independent, fulfilling lives.

07/22/2026

Please welcome our newest Activist Partner, Vela Wood!

“Disability inclusion isn’t charity, it’s good business and Dylan has proven that better than anyone in North Texas. Vela Wood is glad to back him.” - Kevin Vela, Managing Partner

Interested in learning more about becoming a Chamber Partner? Please visit us at www.ntxdc.org/joinus.

07/20/2026

July is Disability Pride Month, and the North Texas Disability Chamber has been proud to celebrate alongside communities across North Texas.

Disability Pride Month honors the history, achievements, and lived experiences of people with disabilities while recognizing the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990. It is a time to challenge stereotypes, confront ableism, and champion a future where everyone belongs.

This month, we proudly joined the Third Legacy Foundation’s Think Out Be Light Fashion Show, participated in the Disability Pride Flag Ceremony at Dallas City Hall, partnered with the City of Coppell for its inaugural Disability Empowerment Resource Fair, and will continue celebrating as Dallas hosts the Disability:IN National Conference.

Together, we celebrate progress, elevate voices, and reaffirm our commitment to building communities where accessibility, opportunity, and inclusion are more than ideals; they are expectations.

Happy Disability Pride Month! 💙♿

07/18/2026

Morning!! Today’s The Day -

In honor of Disability Pride Month, we are thrilled to represent the North Texas Disability Chamber at the City of Coppell, TX Municipal Government Disability Empowerment Resource Fair. Our founder will be speaking.

Details: https://www.coppelltx.gov/1287/Disability-Empowerment-Month-Resource-Fa

Come and join us!

We're so excited for tomorrow's Disability Empowerment Resource Fair! Join us to hear from these inspiring individuals and mingle with organizations, businesses, authors, and advocates working to improve accessibility, education, employment, health, and inclusion across North Texas!

Whether you're looking for resources for yourself, a family member, or simply want to learn more, all are welcome!