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Ayanna Sanaa Davis

@phenomenallyautistic

24.2K
followers
899
following
💜Award Winning Autism Avocate💜
Autistic/Artist/Theater/Author/Dreamer
Host of @blackgirldiagnosed Podcast 🎙️
Founder of @blackautismacceptanceday
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This year is especially special because we’re not just celebrating a summit. We’re celebrating the inaugural year of a national observance: Black Autism Acceptance Day. 🖤 @blackautismacceptanceday Black Autism Acceptance Day was created because Black autistic people deserve to be seen, heard, accepted, and celebrated in their entirety. There are realities that many people simply won’t understand unless they have lived them. Being Black and autistic means navigating autism in a society where race can shape how your behavior is perceived, how your needs are understood, whether your differences are recognized, and how you are treated within systems of education, healthcare, employment, and disability services. Black autistic people can face disparities in diagnosis, access to support, education, healthcare, and representation. And when racism and ableism intersect, those barriers can become even more complicated. Our experiences are not simply “autism” with race added to the conversation. Race can fundamentally shape the autism experience. That is why Black Autism Acceptance Day matters. This observance is about more than awareness. It is about creating space for Black autistic people to tell our own stories, challenge harmful stereotypes, advocate for change, celebrate our identities, and be recognized for far more than the barriers we face. It is about visibility 👌🏽 It is about acceptance 🫶🏽 It is about equity ✊🏽 It is about representation 👩🏽‍🦱👦🏾👧🏽👨🏽‍🦱 And it is about celebrating Black autistic joy 🥰 On September 19, 2026, we will celebrate the inaugural Black Autism Acceptance Day, followed by our two-day virtual summit on September 19–20. This is the beginning of something bigger. Black autistic voices belong at the center of the conversation. Black autistic lives matter. Black autistic joy deserves to be celebrated. Registration information for the summit will be available soon. 🖤 . #blackautismacceptanceday #Blackautismacceptance #Blackautisticlivesmatter #Blackandautistic by @phenomenallyautistic
16
2 months ago
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HISTORY MADE. 🖤 A resolution I inspired was introduced in Congress. Congressman Mike Lawler has officially introduced a resolution to designate September 19th, as Black Autism Acceptance and Awareness Day a day that centers us and calls out the disparities we’ve lived through for too long. This moment is personal. As a Black autistic woman, I’ve faced misdiagnosis, misunderstanding, and mistreatment in systems never built for me. But today, I stood in my truth and was SEEN. Heard. Valued. Thank you @RepMikeLawler + team for listening, for caring, and for ACTING. 🙏🏾 Catch my interview on News12 Westchester where I speak on this powerful step forward. This isn’t just a bill. It’s a declaration: We matter. Our stories matter. Our pride is powerful ✊🏽 Thank you @laurendelvalletv for handling this story with so much care & respect 🫶🏽 . #autismacceptance #blackandautistic #neurodivergent #autismadvocate #actuallyautistic #autisticandblack #autistic #autismadvocates #autismadvocacy #blackautismacceptanceday #blackautismacceptance by @phenomenallyautistic
73
a year ago
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Some traits of autism in Black women are often overlooked. Let’s talk about hyper-vigilance a survival skill that can mask autistic traits , as Black women this just adds another layer to our unique experience as autistic individuals 🌻 . Check out my latest Substack article link 🔗 in story ✨ . #autismacceptance #autismswareness #autismadvocate #blackandautistic #blackautisticwomen #blackautisticwoman #autisticmeltdown #sensoryprocessingdisorder #stimming #dissociation #neurodivergent by @phenomenallyautistic
40
a year ago
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Well… we really made it 🥹🖤 Happy Black Autism Acceptance Day ✊🏽🫶🏽 Today is about celebrating Black autistic voices, our brilliance our joy, our stories & our right to be seen, heard,respected & accepted exactly as we are 🥰 Not an afterthought 👌🏽 & while we celebrate we’re also looking forward, Acceptance means more than awareness. It means pushing for systemic change, challenging inequities, creating access, & building a future where Black autistic people are included in the decisions, systems & spaces that impact our lives So today we celebrate loudly, proudly, & unapologetically. 🖤 Happy Black Autism Acceptance Day! If you are joining us at the inaugural Black Autism Acceptance Day virtual summit, I’ll see you there 💐 #blackautismacceptanceday #Blackandautistic #blackautisticlivesmatter #autismacceptence taken in Black Excellence by @phenomenallyautistic
37
a month ago
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Black Autism Acceptance Day is tomorrow & is about making space for all of us 🤎🫶🏽 This day is an opportunity to celebrate Black autistic identity, joy, community creativity, advocacy & everything that makes us who we are There is no one “right” way to show up Maybe you want to post yourself & let the world see your Black autistic joy. Maybe you want to amplify another Black autistic voice. Maybe you want to talk about the barriers & systemic issues that continue to create disparities for Black autistic people. Maybe you want to connect with community, celebrate your accomplishments, create something, rest, or simply exist as yourself All of it belongs here You don’t have to educate everyone
You don’t have to explain your existence
You don’t have to be loud to matter
You don’t have to accomplish something to be worthy of celebration Whether you’re newly discovering your autistic identity, have known for years, are openly autistic, privately autistic, self-diagnosed, formally diagnosed or still figuring things out you deserve to feel seen, respected, & welcomed 🤎🫶🏽 . Follow @blackautismacceptanceday . #Blackautismacceptanceday #Blackandautistic #autism #neurodivergent taken in Black And Proud by @phenomenallyautistic
7
a month ago
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If influential public figures tied to autism causes have platforms that reach millions of people, why aren’t more of them using those platforms to tell their audiences that Black autistic people deserve visibility & acceptance? 🤨 #Blackandautistic #autismacceptence #Blackautisticlivesmatter taken in Autism Acceptance by @phenomenallyautistic
13
a month ago
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We are exactly 10 days away from Black Autism Acceptance Day inaugural observance & Virtual Summit 🖤 A heartfelt thank you to everyone who shares & amplifies Black autism acceptance day content. We know it comes with a risk of being attacked,challenged & trolled, but you continue to stand with us anyway Thank you for your courage, your solidarity & your support. We know it isn’t always easy,& it means more than you know 🫶🏽 Don’t forget the block button is your friend 🥰 #blackautismacceptannceday #Blackandautistic #autismacceptance taken in Autism Acceptance by @phenomenallyautistic
2
a month ago
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There are SO many amazing Black autistic advocates,artists, creators, & people sharing their journeys who don’t get nearly enough attention simply because they don’t have a “big” platform. I don’t have a huge platform either, but I believe in doing my part in whatever small way I can 🫶🏽 So, tag a Black autistic creator with under 10K followers who you think more people should know about. They can be an advocate,organization, an artist, a creator, or simply someone sharing their journey. You can even tag yourself & introduce yourself 🥰 Just because the algorithm doesn’t work in your favor doesn’t mean what you create,share, or say is any less important. Your voice matters. Your work matters 💐 You deserve to be seen 🩷 #Blackandautistic #blackautisticlivesmatter #autismacceptance taken in Autism Acceptance by @phenomenallyautistic
51
a month ago
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Its time to register & its time to  MEET THE FOUNDER & HOST 👌🏽 Ayanna Sanaa Davis, also known as Phenomenally Autistic, is an internationally recognized autism advocate, visionary leader,author, & founder of Black Autism Acceptance Day A United Nations honoree & U.S. House of Representatives recognized Changemaker, Ayanna is dedicated to advancing equity, visibility, &empowerment for autistic people, especially within Black communities. One of her most recent endeavors is founding Black Autism Acceptance Day, a national observance created to center Black autistic voices, experiences, advocacy, acceptance, & joy. She is also the author of I’m Autistic & I’m Phenomenal! a children’s book celebrating autistic identity & representation for Black autistic girls  This September, Ayanna will also serve as the host of the inaugural Black Autism Acceptance Day Virtual Summit. 📅 September 19–20, 2026
⏰ 12:00–4:00 PM ET
💻 Virtual & FREE stop on by 🫶🏽 registration 🔗 in bio . #Blackautismacceptanceday #Blackandautistic #autismacceptance #blackandneurodivergent by @phenomenallyautistic
6
a month ago
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🎉 🩷ONE YEAR OF BLACK GIRL DIAGNOSED 🩷🎉 When I started @blackgirldiagnosed , I honestly didn’t think anyone would listen 🫠 I didn’t know people would actually reach out & trust me enough to share their stories on a brand new podcast. I didn’t know where this journey would take me. I just knew I had something to say &I wanted to create a space where Black disabled & neurodivergent voices could be heard. I’m not perfect, & I’ve grown so much along the way. Some days I stutter. Some days I interrupt my guests because my social skills get the best of me. Sometimes I cut someone off because I don’t realize it’s my time to speak. 😂 But people still show up. People still listen. People still share their stories. & people still believe in what we’re building. It really is true. Sometimes all you have to do is start🫶🏽 To every guest who has trusted me with your story, your experiences, your vulnerability, &your truth, thank you. You have helped make Black Girl Diagnosed what it is today. Your voices matter, & I’m honored that you chose to share them here. To every listener, thank you for pressing play, sharing an episode, sending a message, recommending the podcast, & showing up for these conversations. You have reminded me over and over again that this work matters Markisha I need to give you the biggest thank you. ❤️ Our Guest Coordinator, Markisha, has been such an important part of this journey.None of this would be happening the way it is without you. Thank you for believing in this podcast, believing in me, & helping bring these stories to life. One year later, I’m still learning. I’m still growing. And I’m still showing up 🩷 Our guest 🥹🫶🏽 @echoboysmom82 @adv4kidsinc @charlottesayss @kathleezzzy @destinyhuff_iep_advocate @plscallmeky @diversity_in_neurodiversity Pastiche Graham @neurodivergentrebel Tiara Henderson Tameka Citchen Spruce @weareautastic @thesamanthajd Jaitesha Hanson @hoodratscholarship @blackautistickayla #blackgirldiagnosed #autism #disabilty #neurodivergent taken in Autism Acceptance by @phenomenallyautistic
12
a month ago
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Yesterday was my birthday 🎂 I struggle with birthdays & holidays for many reasons ( grief, sickness, loss) but I noticed also being disabled & not being able to do something of the things I want to do to celebrate 🎉 It made me think back to a Substack I posted recently about the loneliness & isolation that comes with being disabled, it isn’t really about my birthday but it touches on some of those exact struggles “Sometimes a person isn’t looking for pity, they are looking to be understood, they’re looking for someone to acknowledge that this is hard That being disabled can be incredibly isolating That watching life go by from the sidelines hurts & that sometimes even when you have a whole community online, you still wish someone would knock on your door & say ‘Come on let’s go. I don’t care if we have to accommodate you I just want you there” Because disabled because deserve to be there too 🔗 to full article in my Story highlights & I’ll leave it in the comments 🫶🏽 #autismacceptance #autistic #actuallyautistic #disabiltyawareness taken in Happy Birthday by @phenomenallyautistic
7
a month ago
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People like her are the reason I have comments limited 😂 “Autism comes in all colors” is exactly why Black autistic people deserve to be proud of being Black & autistic. This “I’m autistic, white & proud” comment was harmful & mf ignorant because it dismisses the very real racial disparities Black autistic people face in diagnosis, treatment, representation, &access to support. This isn’t making autism a “race thing” it’s acknowledging that race affects the autistic experience. You can be proud to be white and autistic without using that pride to invalidate someone else’s Black autistic identity 🫠 #Blackautisticandproud #Blackandproud #Blackandautistic #autismacceptance #weknowwhoshevotedfor taken in Autism Acceptance by @phenomenallyautistic
62
2 months ago
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