On July 12th, I had the honor of being the guest speaker for the National Association of Health Services Executives (N.A.H.S.E.) Baltimore Chapter’s community walk at Lake Montebello—a powerful gathering that blended mental health advocacy, movement, and meaningful dialogue. As someone living with ADHD and working at the intersection of education, coaching, and expressive arts, I’ve learned to see my neurodivergence not as a barrier, but as a blueprint.
I was invited to speak as part of N.A.H.S.E. Baltimore’s commitment to mental health—a public policy priority that directly aligns with their mission to amplify Black voices, build leadership pipelines, lead by example, and ensure long-term impact. This space offered the perfect moment to celebrate Disability Pride Month and to reframe how we see ADHD—not as a deficit, but as a different kind of brilliance.
What ADHD Isn’t
Let’s start by dismantling a few harmful myths. ADHD isn’t laziness. It isn’t a lack of intelligence or motivation. It’s not just hyperactivity. These stereotypes don’t reflect the lived experiences of many ADHDers—especially Black adults who have often been misdiagnosed or undiagnosed altogether.
What ADHD Is
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental difference—a unique brain wiring that makes things like task initiation, time management, or organization more challenging, but also unlocks powerful gifts when supported well. I often tell my clients: your brain isn’t broken—it’s just built for something different.
What I Shared with NAHSE Baltimore: The Strengths of ADHD
During my talk at Lake Montebello, I highlighted how ADHD can be a source of strength—especially in healthcare, leadership, and community work. Here are just a few of the superpowers we carry:
🧠 Creativity & Big-Picture Thinking
We’re idea generators, solution creators, and innovation catalysts. ADHD brains connect dots others don’t even see.
🧠 Emotional Insight & Pattern Recognition
Many ADHDers are deeply intuitive. We notice unspoken dynamics and build strong connections—essential for effective leadership and patient-centered care.
🧠 Risk-Taking & Resilience
From founding a school to launching a coaching practice, I’ve used my ADHD-driven courage to make bold moves and bounce back stronger every time.
🧠 Hyperfocus on Purpose
When we care about something, we go all in. This kind of passion drives mission-aligned work in healthcare and social impact spaces.
Why This Conversation Matters
Mental health in Black communities is too often under-addressed or stigmatized. When ADHD goes unrecognized or untreated, it can erode confidence and block career pathways. But when we reframe the narrative, support neurodivergent professionals, and create more inclusive systems, we unlock untapped leadership potential.
NAHSE Baltimore is leading that charge—and I’m proud to be part of it.
This Month, I’m Celebrating…
✨ The art I’ve made—not just on canvas, but in schools, coaching rooms, and community circles
✨ The ADHDers I support in unmasking their brilliance and building brain-friendly lives
✨ The joy of walking and talking with leaders who are ready to rethink mental health
✨ A life built not in spite of ADHD, but because of it
Whether you joined us at the lake or are just discovering this conversation now, I invite you to reimagine ADHD—not as a diagnosis to fear, but as a difference to understand, support, and celebrate.
Let’s keep rewriting the story. One strength. One walk. One spark at a time.
#DisabilityPrideMonth #NAHSEBaltimore #MentalHealthEquity #NeurodivergentAndProud #BrainsThatWorkDifferently #SwiftLyfeCoaching