Meet The Fellows copy

Meet the FL SAND Fellows

Michelle Zeman, Orlando

About me

Michelle was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified when she was three years old and was considered “borderline severe.” Despite being told she would never be a functioning member of society, she earned her Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in autism and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2016. She discovered the value of self-advocacy and activism through her career in behavior analysis and her time in Partners in Policymaking (she is a 2023 graduate). She is passionate about policy change in mental health services and disability training for all community workers.

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Chatequa Pinkston, Tampa

About me

Chatequa has the heart to encourage individuals with disabilities through her life experiences. She was born with cerebral palsy. She earned a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of South Florida. She is an entrepreneur, an ordained minister, an author of several self-published books, and a public speaker. Chatequa is the founder of Hidden Treasures Ministries, which works to empower people with disabilities through collaboration with churches. She also serves on several disability-related boards.

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Christy Shultz, Punta Gorda

About me

Christy was diagnosed with spastic triplegia at 18 months old. Doctors told her parents the diagnosis would be "more than a little, but less than severe." Cerebral palsy has its challenges for Christy, but she has prevailed. She holds a master's degree in social work. Cerebral palsy has taught Christy the importance of self-advocacy. Christy enjoys working with those with disabilities and teaching them the importance of advocating for themselves. She has worked as a youth transition coordinator for Project SEARCH and has been a leader for the Able Trust's Youth Leadership Forum. She's currently a substitute teacher. While not in the classroom, Christy enjoys spending time with her four-year-old nephew, going to the beach or reading.

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Elcana Jean-Pierre, Miami

About me

Elcana was born in Haiti and came to the United States at age 12 with family members after a difficult journey that included a two-year stay at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base following interception by the U.S. Coast Guard. Upon arrival, she didn't attend school right away and did not speak English. Throughout school years, she experienced bullying but became a strong self-advocate, beginning with individualized education program meetings in high school. While attending Miami Dade College, she founded a club focused on disabilities and maintained a clear goal of building a career in social work. She earned a master's in social work in 2021 and currently works as a disability consultant for a nonprofit organization. She is a Partners in Policymaking graduate and received PIP's Alan C. Wesley Award in 2025. Outside of work, she enjoys reading and is the parent of a seven-year-old son.

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LeQuina Knox, St. Petersburg

About me

LeQuina has cerebral palsy and when she was in elementary school, her teacher told her mother she would never read past a third-grade level. Today, she is not just an avid reader, but also a talented writer, educator, and content creator. She holds a master's degree in liberal arts from the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg. An active member of her community, LeQuina serves on multiple boards, including the Committee Advocating for Persons with Impairments and the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities at USF's advisory committee. She is an ABLE United Ambassador and Partners in Policymaking program 2025 graduate. LeQuina is also the first recipient of the Ms. Wheelchair Florida Influencer Award and the creative voice behind Black Girl Rolling, a platform dedicated to uplifting individuals with disabilities, particularly those who are underrepresented in the disability community.

Carlos Gamez, Lakeland

About me

Carlos was born premature at 27 weeks, which led to the diagnosis of cerebral palsy by the age of 2. He is a lifelong power wheelchair user and graduated high school at the age of 16. He has always enjoyed pursuing knowledge, earning a bachelor's degree in education and later a master’s degree in education policy and leadership from American University. He is a published author with work ranging from a peer-reviewed academic article to a national newspaper opinion essay in The Hill. His advocacy focuses on federal policy and seeking to elevate the use of the judicial system as an essential tool for increasing disability rights and self-advocacy. In addition to his FL SAND Fellowship, Carlos conducts independent research on education policy while seeking a full-time job.

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Tashara Cooper, Oviedo

About me

Tashara is a lifelong learner, advocate, and mother purposed to uplift those around her. Known to family as the “caregiver” and to colleagues as the “compass,” she faces challenges in her life with faith. After years of quietly enduring vision loss, she was diagnosed with juvenile macular degeneration at age 21. Her years of seeing yet not seeing finally had a name. After giving birth to her first son, clinically diagnosed with Williams syndrome, her advocacy journey shifted from advocacy for herself to advocacy for others. She has two bachelor's degrees and two master’s degrees focused on teaching learning and technology to help people do their best at every task or job.