Backbone

Backbone We're spearheading a revolution at the ballot box and beyond.

Founded in the midst of historic uprisings, elections and a historic pandemic that pushed an unprecedented number of organizations to fully rely on digital mediums, Backbone Digital Leaders was created to meet a crucial moment. Our mission is to spearhead a digital revolution at the ballot box and beyond by training the next generation in digital activism through participation in high impact, high stakes causes.

Accessibility connects democracy with the people. To strengthen democracy, everyone needs a role in the movement. Are y...
15/09/2025

Accessibility connects democracy with the people. To strengthen democracy, everyone needs a role in the movement.

Are you a graduating senior in college or a recent grad? Join our work through the Backbone Fellowship.

Apply today via the link. Applications close on Tuesday, September 22nd at 11:59 PM (EST).

https://bit.ly/46hrpo7

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I gained hands-on experience in ensuring all content is accessible. Hailey Morris, Former Backbone Fellow

14/09/2025

Hailey joined our team as a Backbone Fellow last fall. During her fellowship, Hailey gained experience by supporting our political campaigns and advocacy efforts. Next week, she'll join us again as we cover one of the most strategic social justice conferences of the year.

It's up to each of us to remove the barriers that threaten collective access to democracy. College seniors and recent grads can start right now through our Backbone Fellowship.

Apply today via the link. Applications close Tuesday, September 22nd at 11:59 PM (EST).

https://bit.ly/46hrpo7

The Backbone Fellowship offers the opportunity to ensure that the work you create is accessible to ALL. By working with ...
13/09/2025

The Backbone Fellowship offers the opportunity to ensure that the work you create is accessible to ALL.

By working with organizations at the forefront of movements for change, our fellows will learn how to create inclusive and expansive digital advocacy campaigns that make a difference right now.

Apply today via the link. Applications close Tuesday, September 22nd at 11:59 PM (EST).

https://bit.ly/46hrpo7

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You get the opportunity to ensure that the work you create is accessible. McCall Jackson, former Backbone Fellow

Did you know it's ?Democracy relies on everyone’s participation. Yet, disabled voters are often shut out from the colle...
12/09/2025

Did you know it's ?

Democracy relies on everyone’s participation. Yet, disabled voters are often shut out from the collective access we need. This limits our ability to make informed choices...or to engage at all.

Disabled voters strengthen democracy when they lead. And we're not only talking about voting. We're also referring to:

🗽 Organizing

🗽 Protesting

🗽 Running for office

At Backbone, our focus on Collective Access drives our work. We work to ensure critical information is accessible to ALL.

College seniors and recent grads can join this democracy-saving work through our Backbone Fellowship.

Apply today! Applications close Tuesday, September 22nd at 11:59 PM (EST).

https://bit.ly/46hrpo7

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Collective Access

12/09/2025

McCall joined our team as a Backbone Fellow last fall. Her initial focus was deepening her knowledge of digital accessibility, advocacy, and content creation. Today, she works with us as a Digital Coordinator focused on accessible copywriting and digital advertising.

Applications are open now for our 2025 Backbone Fellowship! This 10-week paid opportunity helps graduating seniors and recent graduates with a passion for advocacy practice accessible digital marketing.

Check the link to submit yours before September 22nd at 11:59 PM EST.

https://bit.ly/46hrpo7

🚨We interrupt this (particularly bleak) breaking news cycle to share that applications for our annual Backbone Fellowshi...
11/09/2025

🚨We interrupt this (particularly bleak) breaking news cycle to share that applications for our annual Backbone Fellowship are now open through Tuesday, September 22nd at 11:59 PM (EST)! 🚨

The Backbone Fellowship is designed for graduating seniors and recent college graduates (less than a year out of school) who have an interest in accessible digital marketing and a passion for advocacy.

This is our second year partnering with the Progressive Pipeline Fellowship to provide added support and opportunity for our fellows. Progressive Pipeline supports fellows from underrepresented backgrounds as they build careers in advocacy and social change.

Our fellows can expect:

✔️An incomparable and engaging curriculum
✔️Weekly projects that merge digital accessibility and marketing
✔️Engagement with exciting clients at the forefront of various movements for change
✔️Mentorship that supports values-driven activists and leaders who are ready to make a difference
✔️Access to more opportunities through Progressive Pipeline, our clients and our growing network of impressive Backbone Fellowship Alumnae.

Apply today! Applications close Tuesday, September 22nd at 11:59 PM (EST): https://bit.ly/46hrpo7

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The Backbone Fellowship is back.

Tomorrow marks the final day of the Backbone Digital Accessibility Intensive. Throughout the week, disabled leaders have...
24/07/2025

Tomorrow marks the final day of the Backbone Digital Accessibility Intensive. Throughout the week, disabled leaders have shared valuable insights. We’ll wrap up tomorrow with our keynote speaker, Dr. Jasmine Simmons!

Dr. Jasmine Simmons was born with severe sensorineural hearing loss. She received her cochlear implant at just two years old. At seven, she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive eye condition. This led to her Usher syndrome diagnosis.

Today, Dr. Simmons is a Deafblind audiologist, author, and Usher syndrome advocate. She uses her experiences to raise awareness about accessibility and inclusion. Dr. Simmons fights for change by shaping policy and bridging gaps between the medical community and disabled people.

Dr. Simmons's writing also promotes disability representation, helping young readers grasp complex medical conditions. Her goal is to educate and empower people, creating a more inclusive world for those with disabilities.

Image description: Dr. Jasmine Simmons, a brown skinned woman with locs, smiling in a navy blue suit and white shirt. The Backbone logo is in the bottom left.

We're excited to reveal this year's speakers for the second annual Backbone Digital Accessibility Intensive! We're hype ...
18/07/2025

We're excited to reveal this year's speakers for the second annual Backbone Digital Accessibility Intensive! We're hype to kick off the six-day training this coming Sunday with our newest cohort of digital marketers, software engineers, program managers and more. Take a look at a few of the incredible disabled leaders that they will be hearing from during .

1. Keidra Chaney is a journalist, narrative strategist, and accessibility advocate. At Disability Culture Lab, where she is Program Director, she works to promote inclusion in media and culture. Her work blends digital strategy with storytelling and justice. She supports nonprofits in crafting inclusive communications. She also helps communities shift their views on inclusion and disabilities.

2. Dr. Sabin Prentis Duncan is a husband, father, educator, and Creator of Literary Soul Food. He has an Executive Master's from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Also he holds Doctorate and Specialist degrees from Eastern Michigan University and Hampton University. Dr. Duncan is a career educator and has been a teacher and administrator at every level. He is also the author or co-author of ten titles, including the award-winning novel, Dance With My Father.

3. Mark Travis Rivera is the CEO and founder of The Professional Storyteller. His company focuses on amplifying marginalized voices. As a Latinx disabled q***r dancer, Rivera draws from his own experiences to help others share and celebrate their stories.

4. Jessica Lopez is an honors student at Arizona State University. She graduated from Coastline College. As President of Coastline Associated Student Government, she passed a resolution to include disability in statewide curricula. Lopez is a digital accessibility and marketing consultant. She works at Diversability, Alation, and the Center for Disability Inclusion. There, she shapes campaigns and works to advance accessibility-driven strategies. Jessica works to empower individuals to explore and engage with their communities.

11/07/2025

This week, we started a new project with a collective of Ph.D. scholars, project managers, and executives based in New Orleans! Rooted in research and good governance, they aim to make a real impact through advocacy. Their work will help organizations at any stage achieve lasting change. Stay tuned for more as we gear up for their public launch!

02/07/2025

This Disability Pride Month, we’re on the road to our second annual Backbone Digital Accessibility Intensive! We're excited to host a talented and diverse cohort of graphic designers, software engineers, community organizers and program managers later this month.

24/06/2025

It’s Election Day in New York City! New Yorkers: Have you cast your vote yet?

On one of the hottest days of the year, we’re thinking about all those unable to get to the polls today due to health conditions exacerbated by extreme heat. May we remember that there is no justice without access. Through early and absentee voting, access to cold water, cooling centers and curbside voting, we must ensure our democracy is accessible to all if we are to confront the systems we want to change. 🗳️

18/06/2025

Thank you to all of the activists, advocates, creatives and candidates who applied to the Backbone Digital Accessibility Intensive! We appreciate all the applications we've received and final review is underway. Look out for more details soon and we'll see you in July!

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