Peer Researchers

Timotheus “T.J.” Gordon Jr., MFA, MS, is a research associate at the Institute on Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Gordon uses his passion for self-advocacy, racial equity, disability culture, and autism acceptance to create webinars, training sessions, and publications on autism and race, inclusion in communities of color, inclusion in higher education and sports, exploration of sexuality in the disability community, coping with COVID-19 pandemic, mental health emergency services, and more.

He is also a co-founder of the Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition (Chicagoland DPOCC), supported by the Institute on Disability and Human Development. Chicagoland DPOCC is a group of disabled people of color in the Chicagoland area that promotes disability pride, self-advocacy, and inclusion in communities of color throughout the Chicagoland area.

In addition to his self-advocacy work, Gordon has written essays and reviews about disability and race. His writings appear in the Disability Studies Review, Impact, the “All the Weight of Our Dreams: On Living Racialized Autism” anthology, and ADA 30 in Color. He is the creator and blogger for The Black Autist, a multi-platform blog that illustrates news and topics surrounding autistic people in the African Diaspora.

Gordon is a member of the 2020 National Disability Mentoring Coalition Hall of Fame.

Tyree Brown is a Christian visual artist. In 2015, Brown was in a car accident that rendered her quadriplegic. Art has always been a prominent part of Brown's life but everything changed after her injury, she could no longer walk or use her dominant hand. While in rehabilitation, Brown learned to adapt in using her left hand to train it how to draw even with its limited mobility. Brown received her associates in Fine Art at the Corcoran School of the George Washington University, and a Media Production certificate at the Prince George's Community College. Brown is currently a Video Editor and a Lived Experience Researcher for the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University. Brown continues to do commission work and volunteer as a Disability Advocate to share her story of how art and community has helped her gain confidence as a person with a disability.

Valerie Novack is a policy, research, and compliance professional specializing in inclusive infrastructure, emergency management, and disability rights. With experience across government, non-profit, grassroots, and academic sectors, their work integrates the expertise of lived experience into policymaking and research. Valerie has contributed to policy development at local, state, and federal levels, shaping initiatives that promote equitable access to public spaces, transportation, housing, and disaster preparedness.

They began their advocacy career doing local advocacy for a Center for Independent Living before moving to federal policy work focusing on legislative solutions to inaccessible emergency response practices in the United States. Valerie’s research and advocacy emphasize person- and community-centered approaches, incorporating racial and environmental justice into policy frameworks. They have collaborated with non-profits, universities, think tanks, and community groups to advance independent living and accessibility.

Valerie holds a bachelor’s degree in disability studies and urban planning from the University of Toledo and a master’s degree in disaster preparedness and emergency management from Arkansas State University. They currently work in research, program evaluation and compliance monitoring in Northeast Ohio, where they live with their spouse and two cats.

Ms. Sherria D. Young-Smith has devoted her life encouraging others, sharing God’s message of hope. An entrepreneur, singer, teacher, and now author, this Baltimore native strives to use her gifts giving God the glory. Sherria believes people may not have access to many resources available to them. she researches/distributes information on resources, empowers those transitioning to living independently, and dedicates time serving the blind community. She has directed the choir at Ministry of Multitudes Apostolic Church and co-directed Sound of Praise Gospel Choir, comprised of blind individuals. She is part of the Reunion Choir of Baltimore. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Marshall F. Prentice in 1991, where she sings on the Youth and Young Adult Choir, and as one may read in her book, she often declares, “God ain’t Done with Me Yet.” Weighing one pound and eleven ounces, Sherria was born 6 months early and lost her vision due to Retinopathy of Prematurity. Sherria does not allow her blindness to stand in the way of her success. She graduated from Mergenthaler Vocational Technical Senior High School, and received an associate degree from Essex Community College. She graduated from Sojourner Douglas College with a B.A. in Human Services and a concentration in Social Work. In 2011, she obtained a master’s degree in Human Services with an emphasis on Rehabilitation from the University of Baltimore. Sherria spends a great deal of time serving in her community, Sherria makes sure to put her family first. In 2004, she gave birth to her son, whose her pride and joy. She nurtures the belief that a family who prays together stays together. In 2018, God placed it on Sherria’s heart to write her first book: God Ain’t Done with Me Yet Uniquely blessed. In this memoir, Sherria refers to herself as Uniquelyblessed1 as she shares her encounters with living independently as a blind person, family strife, single motherhood, complicated relationships, and the task of caring for others. Sherria hopes that her testimony goes on to encourage others and remind them that they too are created for a purpose. In 2019 Sherria wrote her second book called I Decided to Make Jesus my Choice: Praise and Devotion. This magnificent devotion provides strength, wisdom, encourages the believer to enhance their spiritual growth, and encourages the non-believer to get to know Christ. You will be immensely blessed. The dynamic woman of God has shared her testimony with others through interviews on WOLBbaltimore.com Radio One 10 10 A. M.; Larry Wallace Radio Show, 1400 Grace and Glory;(Minister Kami Edmonds, the Larry Young Morning Show, Zion Baptist Church, Waverley Library, Towson Library, National Federation of the blind, WBI Awesome God Radio Show, the Good Life Gospel Radio Show, and showcased on the Finance Hour a production of the National Black Unity News. She has been featured in The National Black Unity Newspaper/the Afro Business Newspaper. Sherria has touched many lives serving the homeless and low-income communities rendering meals, clothing, and hygiene products with an organization called God’s Giving Hands founded by her uncle Rico. In sharing God’s vision, Sherra launched God Ain’t Done With me Yet T-Shirts, received an honorary award from Women in Business International, promoting her books/t-shirts as she modeled in Fashion Couture Boutique sponsored by Violesia Tull. Now Empowered Women in Business International (EWBI Sherria served as the Chair of Advocacy and Services Committee. Serve on the board of the NFB, educating the public. As secretary, I recorded monthly meeting minutes. As Membership Chair, I recruited new members, fundraisers, and promote awareness about blindness skills. I collaborated with NFB leaders on the national and state levels advocating for legislative changes improving lives of blind individuals, wrote letters/schedule meetings with lawmakers discussing key issues. I’ve had the privilege of delivering presentations on emergency preparedness for the Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities, concerning first responders training assisting blind individuals during emergencies. I have educated others on workplace accommodations, emphasizing rights on Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. As a member of the state rehabilitation council, advising DORS creating employment opportunities for the disabled. She is married. Her motto is you are set apart by God, to do his work, created for a purpose.