Spoken Heroes, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded on January 12, 2024, by Steven McCoy, famously known as the world’s first Black DeafBlind journalist, has made groundbreaking achievements in the field of journalism, paving the way for greater representation and inclusivity in media. McCoy Founder and President. The organization celebrated its anniversary on March 22, 2025, at The DaVinci Garden by Mona Lisa in Bayonne, NJ. Spoken Heroes is dedicated to bridging the gap between the able-bodied and disability communities through its Spoken Heroes Institute and Internship programs, which are designed for high school and college students. These programs focus on communication, assistive technology, workforce readiness, and self-advocacy, uniquely incorporating elements of storytelling into their training.
In a world where negativity is prevalent and DEI programs are being canceled, Spoken Heroes stands firm in its advocacy for an inclusive society. Steven McCoy emphasizes, “Inclusion has always been at the forefront of what I truly believe in, and I’m very proud that we’ve been able to do that, being the change you want to see changes everything.”
Kendell Baker, a Spoken Heroes Alum from William Paterson University shared, “Spoken Heroes provided an environment where I could showcase my talents in spite of my deficits. They didn’t make me feel different; instead, they embraced our differences. Steven has been an excellent mentor. He has helped me navigate the media field, encouraging me to practice my craft. I currently attend William Patterson taking Film and Media. I plan to become a cameraman and eventually a film producer. Spoken Heroes is helping me navigate the world of media. As an Alum of Spoken Heroes, I plan to pay it forward by mentoring other people with disabilities. I hope to help them tap into their superpower.”
Metisha Monrose, a Spoken Heroes Alum from Essex County College who has a learning disability stated, “Being part of the Spoken Heroes has taught me to not just advocate for myself but also for others who can’t make their point across. Being a hero made me realize that I can do the impossible with my disability; it doesn’t make me less different from someone who is fine. My goal is to become a doctor and to have my own practice as a doctor.”
Damiano D’Almeida from Montclair State University, part of Spoken Heroes’ internship program, said, “Spoken Heroes has boldly impacted me in both my professional and personal life. As an ally of the disability community, Spoken Heroes educated me on being a proper advocate. Steven’s strong leadership leaves me confident in my abilities as a professional to lead an organization in the future. Today’s Heroes are tomorrow’s leaders, and I am honored to be a part of groundbreaking history. As a musician and businessman, I’ve honed in on attributes like inclusivity and communication through Spoken Heroes’ professional development. Spoken Heroes has encouraged me to be courageous in my decision-making, and I now never second-guess myself when portraying leadership in my business ventures. I currently run a record label/lifestyle brand and am launching a cosmetics brand. With Spoken Heroes’ guidance, I am ready and hopeful to present my best self forward and impact my community positively.” D’Almeida recently had the privilege of covering the Roc Nation’s 2025 United Justice Coalition Summit alongside Founder Steven McCoy, providing him with valuable hands-on experience in Entertainment Law, which he is currently majoring in.
Another intern, Nikolas Wortham of North Star Academy College Prep High School in Newark, NJ, stated, “Despair exists in every corner of the world, but I choose to be the hope that rises against it. This event solidified my purpose—to become the hero people can rely on, a light in their darkest moments.”
Carolyn Bradfield, Community Engagement Coordinator for Ava’s Voice, a nonprofit empowering those with Usher syndrome, stated “Attending Spoken Heroes’ first annual fundraiser and meeting Steven McCoy, his team, and loved ones was a privilege. It was heartening to hear about Steven’s journey and the establishment of Spoken Heroes.I shared my own journey of finding my voice and connecting with the Usher Syndrome community.I’m excited to collaborate with Spoken Heroes to serve our community in New Jersey.”
When asked about the highlights of the evening, McCoy stated, “There was not a dull moment; it was exactly how I envisioned. One of my favorite moments was truly hearing the testimonials and seeing the heroes and interns growth, I feel like a proud Dad!”
The event included many musical performances including Pianist Kyle Del Rosario, Cellist Lois Carpenter, and singer Jamie Panariello, who is also the President of the Bayonne Lions Club. Courtesy of The Lions Club, Spoken Heroes were able to offer guests free eye exams at the event. The event was filled with laughs, thanks to standup comic Jay Comedian.There was also a silent auction by RYCO Fundraising. Connie Logan, the CEO of ConALog Travels, delivered an inspiring speech highlighting the significance of travel in broadening horizons and elevating personal growth, as it’s one of the many things that relates to Steven McCoy. With her diverse background and passion for exploration, she emphasized the transformative power of travel and encouraged the audience to embrace the opportunities it presents. Another beautiful speech of the evening by celebrity dentist, women empowerment advocate, and host of popular podcast “The Wonder Tooth Podcast” Dr. Radwa Saad DMD NJ, of Dent Blanche Dental in Princeton, NJ, who donated her services for raffle winners.
Steven McCoy’s mother, Khadeejha, will be the Facilitator for their new Spoken Heroes’ Parent Support group, she says “As an educator and parent of a son with a disability. My role as the facilitator for “Spoken Heroes Parent Support Group” is to encourage parents to advocate for their children, along with shared resources, group discussions, and initiatives.
Spoken Heroes has now partnered with the Fox Family Foundation, through this partnership Heroes will now be compensated for their participation of the program. McCoy says “It’s a blessing, one of the missions is to ensure the disability community is employed for the work that is contributed, and I am grateful for such a great collaboration with Fox that aligns with our mission.” Spoken Heroes summer program begins June 9th. You can catch Steven on his new podcast he is cohosting and producing with Katie Corbett, Angie Castro, and Akira Nakano. If you’d like to support Spoken Heroes’ initiatives, you can visit www.spokenheroes.org.
