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SEASON 2 - LEARN ABOUT THE STORIES

9 black and white image grid of each film participant with a giant pink overlay on top of the 9 image grid

From intersectionality to protest, this season brings 9 short films featuring individuals from our Colorado community. We celebrate them, challenge stigma, and highlight the ongoing fight for disability justice and human rights.

MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORIES:

black and white grain texture image of Izzy smiling at the camera with a pink circle vector centered on top of the image

Some stories contain additional content, please click on their designated buttons below their drop downs to access the additional information about them and the organizations they are supporting or represent.

  • Izzy (She/Her) is a young autistic Latina woman from the Denver metro area who navigates the world through her intersecting identities and lived experiences. Her journey is shaped by the complexities of being autistic, Latina, and a woman, and she continues to embrace these multiple facets of herself as she grows and learns. Izzy actively engages with community organizations and her family, using these connections to share her unique perspective.

black and white grain texture image of Rob smiling, with his right profile prominet, its a close up. he is wearing glasses with a pink circle vector centered on top of the image

  • Rob (He/Him) is a highly accomplished athlete and wheelchair user, well-known in the Colorado ice skating community. With multiple medals to his name, Rob has built a distinguished career in the sport, demonstrating exceptional skill and dedication to ice skating.

    Beyond his own athletic achievements, Rob is a passionate advocate for access in sports. He works tirelessly to create pathways for athletes with disabilities to participate in ice skating, ensuring that the sport becomes more inclusive. His efforts focus on increasing accessibility and pushing for systemic change, with the goal of opening doors for future generations of athletes.

    Rob’s influence within the community continues to grow as he remains a key figure in the ongoing fight for better access to ice skating and other sports.

black and white grain texture image of Mikelle smiling at the camera holding some of the bags she makes sitting in her wheelchair with a pink circle vector centered on top of the image

  • Mikelle (She/Her), undeterred by her disability, pursued a standard education and played a key role in promoting inclusion within the Denver Public School system, graduating as an Outstanding Senior from East High School in Denver, Colorado.

    Her advocacy work led to an invitation to speak before Congress, where she advocated for the rights of individuals with disabilities to work and earn a living. Mikelle was later selected to speak at the National Press Club as an Honored Guest Reactor for the Ticket to Work Sunset Panel.

    Mikelle’s accomplishments include being a pioneering advocate, homeowner, author, speaker, and small business owner. With her engaging personality and sense of independence as a business owner, she highlights how access to technology can enhance self-determination and inclusion.

    Today, Mikelle continues to speak to audiences across the country, often joined by her mom, Katherine.

black and white grain texture image of Shelby smiling laughing while getting pushed on a swing with a pink circle vector centered on top of the image

  • Shelby (She/Her) is a young autistic Native American woman with Down syndrome, a non-speaking artist and dancer who has made a significant impact on her community. Over the years, Shelby has danced at prestigious venues like The Ellie Caulkins Opera House, sharing the stage with the Colorado Ballet and showcasing her talent and dedication to the art of dance.

    Shelby’s journey in dance and the arts has been shaped by years of experience and involvement in various community organizations. With the steadfast support of her family and other advocates, Shelby continues to demonstrate the possibilities for growth and achievement for individuals with disabilities.

black and white grain texture image of Lee smiling looking passed the camera while drinking a coffe with a pink circle vector centered on top of the image

  • Lee (He/They) believes tattooing is an honor rather than a job, with a deep focus on healing and helping others. He is committed to making tattooing accessible and meaningful, recognizing the impact it can have on people’s lives. Lee views his art as a form of personal and communal healing, deeply informed by their journey through therapy, mental health challenges such as autism, ADHD, CPTSD, clinical depression, and his trans identity. He emphasizes the importance of fostering genuine connections, creating a safe space for transformation, and supporting others through their struggles.

    Lee’s tattoo style combines bold lines and colors with a twist, reclaiming the "Trad." style from the cisgender heterosexual male-dominant industry. He often jokes, "My style is basically American traditional, but make it gay! lol," bringing a playful yet meaningful approach to his work. For Lee, tattooing is more than just creating art—it’s about healing and making sure everyone has the chance to have their story heard and celebrated through meaningful tattoos.

black and white grain texture image of Bloom with their fist up in the air while on their wheelchair wearing glasses,looking straight with a serious facial expression while cops stand behind them with a pink circle vector centered on top of the image

  • Bloom Jude Novak (They/Them) is a 27-year-old Denver-based activist and organizer. Bloom is also an artist, writer, and cat parent. They use a power wheelchair and are non-binary. They base their work on the principles of disability justice, intersectional solidarity, and collective liberation. They wish for, and fight for, a better and more accessible world for all.

black and white grain texture image of Jon smiling at the camera with a pink circle vector centered on top of the image he is wearing glasses

  • Jon Sayles (He/Him) grew up surrounded by the arts, with his parents in the performing arts. He first found his passion for acting and theater before later transitioning into film. He founded Edwin Entertainment in honor of his late uncle, Edwin Lee Wideman, a hairdresser who fell victim to the epidemic of the 1980s. Sayles continues his uncle’s legacy through his art and filmmaking.

black and white grain texture close up image of Allie Soreass smiling past the camera looking towards the audience with wearing simple yet bold clown like makeup and a black and white stripe top with a pink circle vector centered on top of the image

  • Denver’s sexy T-Rex, founder and co-producer of Broken Babes Burlesque, Allie Soreass (Zie/Zir), has been performing for nine years all around Colorado. Zie has traveled to other states to perform with fellow disabilibabes, showcasing zir sexy and dorky side—sometimes with a sprinkle of danger. Come give zir a roar and find out why zie’s everyone’s favorite dinosaur.

black and white grain texture image of Mack smiling away from the camera sitting in a park drinking a coffee wearing sunglasses with a pink circle vector centered on top of the image

  • Mack (She/They) is a disability advocate, poet, and community organizer focused on building communal disability pride in the face of an increasingly ableist country. Their belief is that cultivating joy and pride as a disabled, sick queer person is the most accessible way to keep their humanity intact when the cultural mainstream tries to strip it away. Mack believes that moving toward each other’s pain and mortality as community members is a portal to unlocking the inherent magic of existence. She hopes that by sharing art, community, and truth-telling, the world may be exposed to the deep value of disabled lives and our necessary contributions to revolution.

We are incredibly proud to have reached a point where we can showcase BEAM+ STORIES Season 2 both in person and online—creating space for connection, reflection, and growth.

The topics we’ll be addressing are not only timely but are often silenced due to societal stigma, social and professional pressure. Whether you’re joining us in person or virtually, we ask that you come ready to learn, listen, and engage with the uncomfortable while showing respect for those who have shared their stories and those in the community.

BEAM+ has zero tolerance for any form of hate, including but not limited to racism, xenophobia, transphobia, homophobia, and ableism. Any violation of this will result in removal from the premises or, for virtual attendees, being blocked from participation. Comments will be monitored to ensure a safe and respectful space for all.

With love,
BEAM+LEADERSHIP

A MESSAGE FROM BEAM+

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ARTS IN SOCIETY
AND OUR BEAM+COMMUNITY

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