2026 Disability Pride NYC Parade Grand Marshals and Honorees

Together We Build — Solidarity Makes History

Celebrating Disabled Leadership, Community, Culture, and Collective Action

The 2026 Disability Pride NYC Parade celebrates the people whose leadership, creativity, advocacy, and commitment to community continue to shape the disability rights movement.

Our theme, Together We Build, honors the historic Section 504 demonstrations of 1977 as we approach their 50th anniversary in April 2027.

In San Francisco, disabled activists occupied a federal building for 26 days, supported by an extraordinary coalition of disability organizations, labor unions, civil rights advocates, and community allies. Here in New York City, demonstrators gathered in solidarity at 26 Federal Plaza.

These actions helped secure the implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a landmark civil rights protection prohibiting disability discrimination in federally funded programs and activities.

The lesson of 1977 remains as powerful today: lasting change is built through disabled leadership, solidarity, and collective action.

Our 2026 Grand Marshals and honorees embody that history and carry its legacy forward. Through disability rights advocacy, independent living, accessible transportation, employment, education, sports, arts, culture, and community organizing, they demonstrate what becomes possible when we build together.

In Memoriam

Don Jacobs

Former Disability Pride NYC Board Member and Parade Organizer

In loving memory of Don Jacobs and the former Disability Pride NYC board members and parade organizers who helped build, shape, and sustain the parade over the years.

Don Jacobs played an important role in the parade's early development, helping establish its stage and performance programming.

Through his dedication to disability arts and culture, he helped create opportunities and elevate the careers of talented disabled artists, including Lachi and Grammy Award–winning musician Matthew Whitaker.

Together We Build — Honoring Those Who Built the Way

As we approach the 50th anniversary of the historic Section 504 demonstrations, we remember that movements and community celebrations are built through the contributions of many people, including those whose work continues to inspire us after they are gone.

Don understood the importance of making disabled artists and performers visible, creating opportunities for their talents to be recognized and celebrated.

Today, we honor Don and all those whose vision, leadership, creativity, and commitment helped make Disability Pride NYC what it is today.

Their contributions remain part of the parade's legacy and its future.

Meet Our 2026 Grand Marshals

Mary Patterson-LeDonne

A Founder of Disability Pride NYC

Mary Patterson-LeDonne is a New Yorker with multiple disabilities who enjoys music, playing the piano, and swimming.

Mary will always hold a place in the history of Disability Pride NYC. Her father, jazz musician Mike LeDonne, has shared that Mary inspired him to help establish the parade, creating a public celebration where disabled people of all identities, abilities, and support needs could come together in pride, visibility, and community.

Together We Build — Every Disabled Person Belongs

Mary reminds us that disability pride is built through relationships, participation, shared experiences, and the recognition that every disabled person belongs and contributes to our community.

As we honor the solidarity that made Section 504 history, Mary's connection to the parade's founding affirms that the disability rights movement must include people with multiple disabilities and significant support needs at its very center.

We are proud to honor Mary Patterson-LeDonne as a 2026 Disability Pride NYC Grand Marshal and recognize her enduring place in the parade's history!

Carr Massi

A Pioneer in Disability Rights and Independent Living

Carr Massi is a longtime leader in New York City's disability rights and independent living movements.

Through decades of advocacy, community organizing, mentorship, and organizational leadership, Carr has helped strengthen the networks, institutions, and relationships that advance disability rights, independence, and full participation in community life.

Her commitment to preserving New York City's disability movement history helps ensure that the experiences, struggles, and achievements of disabled advocates continue to inform and inspire future generations.

Together We Build — Honoring Our History, Strengthening Our Future

Carr represents generations of disabled New Yorkers whose leadership and collective action established the foundations of today's disability rights and independent living movements.

As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Section 504 demonstrations, her work reminds us that civil rights progress is built over time through solidarity, shared knowledge, community organizing, and the determination of disabled people to shape their own futures.

We are proud to honor Carr Massi as a 2026 Disability Pride NYC Grand Marshal!

Martha Jackson

Advancing Disability Employment and Economic Opportunity

Martha Jackson is a longtime New York City leader in disability employment, workplace accessibility, and workforce inclusion.

A professional with a vision disability, Martha has dedicated her career to expanding employment opportunities for disabled New Yorkers.

She previously led NYC: ATWORK, helped develop the Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion, and continues to bring her experience and leadership to the work of NYC Talent.

Through her work, Martha connects disabled jobseekers and employees with employers, labor, educators, workforce organizations, community partners, and city government, helping create more accessible pathways to meaningful employment, career advancement, and economic independence.

Together We Build — Access, Opportunity, and Economic Independence

Martha demonstrates that economic opportunity grows when disabled people help shape workforce systems, employers remove structural barriers, educators create accessible pathways, organized labor advances workplace rights, and government and community organizations work together.

The historic Section 504 movement helped establish the principle that disabled people have a right to equal opportunity. Martha's leadership carries that commitment into the workplace, reminding us that disability inclusion is not simply about opening doors to employment, but ensuring disabled people have the opportunity to contribute, advance, and lead.

We are proud to honor Martha Jackson as a 2026 Disability Pride NYC Grand Marshal!

Khalia Hayslett

Accessible Transportation, Travel Training, and Independent Mobility

Khalia Hayslett is a New York transportation accessibility and travel-training advocate who helps disabled people gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate public transportation.

As Ms. Wheelchair New York 2023, she has championed disability inclusion, independence, and equal access to opportunities.

Together We Build — Transportation Connects Us to Opportunity

Khalia demonstrates how education, accessible transportation, and community support create pathways to employment, education, healthcare, arts and culture, and full participation in community life.

Her advocacy reminds us that transportation access is about much more than getting from one place to another. It is about freedom, opportunity, connection, and belonging.

The Section 504 movement challenged the exclusion of disabled people from public life. Khalia carries that commitment forward by helping disabled New Yorkers navigate their city with greater independence and confidence.

We are proud to honor Khalia Hayslett as a 2026 Disability Pride NYC Grand Marshal!

Chris D. Greif

More Than Three Decades of Disability Rights and Transportation Advocacy

Chris D. Greif is a longtime New York disability rights advocate who has spent more than 33 years advancing accessibility, transportation rights, and equitable access to public transit.

Through decades of advocacy and organizing, Chris has worked to remove barriers and improve transportation systems so that disabled New Yorkers can travel independently and participate fully in community life.

Together We Build — Accessibility Is a Civil Right

Chris demonstrates how sustained advocacy, collective action, and disabled leadership can transform policies, practices, and public systems.

His work continues the spirit of the 1977 Section 504 demonstrations, when disabled people organized to demand that their civil rights be recognized and enforced.

His commitment reminds us that accessibility is not simply an accommodation. It is essential to independence, opportunity, and full participation in our city.

We are proud to honor Chris D. Greif as a 2026 Disability Pride NYC Grand Marshal!

Eric Blessed Carpenter-Grantham

Autistic Self-Advocacy, Nonapparent Disabilities, and Legislative Change

Eric Blessed Carpenter-Grantham is a 21-year-old autistic college student and disability rights advocate from Montgomery County, Maryland.

Together with his mother, Linda Carpenter-Grantham, he founded Blue Runway for Autism, developing community programs that promote disability inclusion, positive self-image, self-advocacy, and greater understanding of nonapparent disabilities.

Their advocacy inspired Eric's ID Law in Maryland, establishing a free, voluntary butterfly notation on state identification documents for people with nonapparent disabilities.

Eric is now working with disability and labor leaders, including the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1180 Committee on People with Disabilities, to expand public education and build national awareness of the initiative.

Together We Build — From Self-Advocacy to Collective Action

Eric demonstrates how disabled self-advocates, families, community organizations, lawmakers, public agencies, and organized labor can work together to turn ideas into meaningful change.

His growing partnership with CWA Local 1180 brings that spirit of collaboration to New York City, connecting autistic self-advocates, disabled union members, and people with other nonapparent disabilities in a shared commitment to recognition, inclusion, and disability justice.

As we commemorate the solidarity of the 1977 Section 504 movement, Eric's work reminds us that new generations of disabled leaders are continuing to build the laws, partnerships, and understanding needed for a more inclusive future.

We are proud to honor Eric Blessed Carpenter-Grantham as a 2026 Disability Pride NYC Grand Marshal!

Kiana Vion Glanton

Blind Baseball, Adaptive Sports, and International Athletic Achievement

Kiana Vion Glanton is a blind New Yorker, adaptive sports leader, and Development and Special Projects Manager at Lighthouse Guild.

A leader in U.S. Blind Baseball, she represented the United States internationally, earning a bronze medal at the 2022 Blind Baseball International Cup.

Through her achievements and advocacy, Kiana is expanding opportunities and visibility for blind and low-vision athletes, breaking down barriers and creating pathways for others to participate, compete, and lead.

Together We Build — Through Sports, Teamwork, and Disabled Leadership

Kiana demonstrates how disabled leadership, teamwork, and community can open doors and build a more inclusive future.

As we honor the solidarity that shaped the Section 504 movement, Kiana's accomplishments remind us that equal opportunity includes access to sports, recreation, competition, leadership, and the joy of participation.

Her achievements celebrate both individual excellence and the collective work needed to make athletic opportunities accessible.

We are proud to honor Kiana Vion Glanton as a 2026 Disability Pride NYC Grand Marshal!

Special Recognition and Community Honorees

Four Wheel City — Celebrating Their 10th Anniversary

Disability Pride, Hip-Hop Culture, and Community Advocacy

Four Wheel City is a Bronx-based hip-hop group founded by wheelchair users and gun violence survivors Namel "Tapwaterz" Norris and Ricardo "Rickfire" Velasquez.

Through their music, performances, and community advocacy, Four Wheel City brings together disability pride, hip-hop culture, racial justice, public health, violence prevention, and community education.

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of their founding, we recognize their extraordinary contributions to disability arts and culture, their leadership in amplifying disabled voices, and their commitment to using music as a powerful force for education, inclusion, and social change.

Together We Build — Culture Is a Force for Change

The disability rights movement has always depended on people finding powerful ways to communicate, organize, and make their voices heard.

Four Wheel City carries that tradition forward through music and performance, connecting disability rights with broader movements for justice, opportunity, and community well-being.

Their work reminds us that disability culture is not separate from the movement for civil rights. It is one of the ways we build solidarity, challenge stereotypes, and inspire change.

We are delighted to celebrate this milestone with Four Wheel City at Disability Pride NYC!

Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1180 Committee on People with Disabilities

Organized Labor, Disability Rights, and Collective Solidarity

The CWA Local 1180 Committee on People with Disabilities brings together disabled active and retired union members and their allies to advocate for disability rights and justice, workplace inclusion, full participation in the labor movement, community education, and support for disability initiatives.

We recognize the committee's tremendous leadership, solidarity, and unwavering commitment to the disability community, including its growing collaboration with Disability Pride NYC Grand Marshal Eric Carpenter-Grantham.

Together We Build — Solidarity Makes History

The 1977 Section 504 demonstrations showed the extraordinary power of solidarity between disabled activists, organized labor, civil rights organizations, and community allies.

CWA Local 1180's work carries that tradition forward.

The committee demonstrates the power of organized labor, disabled leadership, and collective action in building a more accessible, inclusive, and just society for all.

We are proud to recognize the CWA Local 1180 Committee on People with Disabilities for its leadership and commitment to disability rights and solidarity.

Together We Build — The Legacy Continues

Honoring Our History. Celebrating Our Community. Building Our Future.

The 1977 Section 504 demonstrations showed what becomes possible when disabled people and their allies unite around a shared commitment to civil rights, access, and equality.

Nearly 50 years later, that spirit of solidarity continues through the people we honor at the 2026 Disability Pride NYC Parade.

Our Grand Marshals and honorees represent different generations, disabilities, experiences, and forms of leadership. Their contributions remind us that the disability rights movement is strengthened through advocacy, employment, transportation, sports, arts, culture, organized labor, education, community, and the determination to ensure that everyone belongs.

Together We Build is more than our parade theme. It is a recognition of our history, a celebration of our shared achievements, and a commitment to the future we are creating together.

Disability Pride. Disabled Leadership. Solidarity. Community. Together We Build.