Kristy Whilden
Putting the Deaf Community in the Theater Spotlight
A long-time music educator, Kristy lost her hearing due to a progressive condition. She pulled herself out of a severe depression to pivot professionally and personally, and earned a degree in Deaf Studies/American Sign Language alongside her daughter, Hailey. She and Hailey co-founded Hands Up to encourage the d/Deaf and Hard Of Hearing communities to learn about the performing arts and encourage the hearing community to learn ASL and interact with d/Deaf and HOH peers. All actors and participants are taught American Sign Language and performances are performed 100% in ASL.
Trinity Jagdeo
Expanding representation and inclusion for differently abled kids
Affected by the experiences of her best friend who is disabled, Trinity launched her nonprofit at 17 years old. Its mission is to promote inclusion of children with disabilities in the media. As an author and advocate, Trinity’s commitment to increasing representation of the differently abled shines in her book series that features real children with disabilities as superheroes. She also curates fashion shows, photo shoots, and other events that normalize and celebrate differences.
Barry Hackett, Joe Brown
Barry Hackett (Left) & Joseph Brown (Right)
Champions for inclusion in sports
These men have changed hundreds of lives through the South Jersey Field of Dreams in Abescon, where physically and mentally disabled children and adults can play baseball without barriers to participation.
Barry wanted to open a ballfield where his grandson, who is confined to a wheelchair, could engage in baseball. He secured the resources to make this dream a reality in Hackett Park, which is now a fully inclusive recreational hub that also has accessible playgrounds and a miniature golf course. Joe, a paraplegic as a result of a service-related injury, helped bring the Special Olympics to New Jersey. Numerous civic activities and government appointments to serve the disabled population followed, and he became a founding member of the South Jersey Field of Dreams. Joe passed away in 2023.
