By: Pam Perry

When Tameka Citchen-Spruce rolls into a room, you immediately feel her presence—grounded, intentional, and unapologetically powerful. A nationally recognized disability justice activist and award-winning independent film producer, Tameka has built her career on one core belief: visibility is power. And in her latest project, #AutisticOutLoud, she and co-producer Juliet Romeo are making sure Black autistic individuals are finally seen, heard, and celebrated.

A Movement Rooted in Personal Truth

Tameka’s journey began long before she picked up a camera. At just six months old, she was paralyzed from the mid-chest down after a devastating car accident. Raised as a Black woman with a visible disability, she grew up acutely aware of the ways media ignored people like her. So she turned that void into purpose—studying broadcast journalism at Oakland University and diving headfirst into storytelling that centers Black, Brown, disabled women and girls.

Now, as the executive producer of #AutisticOutLoud, Tameka is on a mission to uplift another community that continues to be marginalized: Black autistic individuals. She’s joined by Juliet Romeo, a Trinidadian-American filmmaker living with sickle cell disease who brings her own layered experience as a Black Caribbean woman with a disability. Together, they are reframing what it means to be both Black and neurodivergent in a world that has too often refused to listen.

Why This Work Matters

The statistics are sobering. Black children are frequently diagnosed with autism years later than white children—if at all. Research shows systemic racism, medical bias, and structural inequities create major hurdles for Black families seeking autism services (CDC, 2023; Mandell et al., 2009). Historically, doctors have underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed Black children, contributing to a tragic cycle of invisibility and unmet needs.

“We were tired of seeing Black autistic folks excluded from the conversation,” says Tameka. “There’s this myth that autism doesn’t exist in our community—and that’s just not true. What’s true is that our stories have been ignored.“

#AutisticOutLoud is more than a film—it’s a multi-platform movement. It’s a call to action to dismantle the racist and ableist systems that fail Black autistic people. Through a compelling documentary and free webinar series, the project centers lived experiences, amplifies expert insight, and demands that we confront inequity head-on.

Stories That Spark Change

The first webinar in the series tackled health equity, featuring powerful voices and urgent truths. With five more webinars lined up, each one dives deeper into the lived experiences of Black autistic leaders, advocates, and families—bringing nuance, knowledge, and heart to the screen.

And let’s be clear: these aren’t pity pieces. These are bold, unapologetic accounts of brilliance, resilience, and power.

That’s what sets Tameka and Juliet apart. They don’t approach disability or neurodivergence as a deficit. They highlight it as identity, culture, and strength.

“We don’t just want inclusion,” says Juliet. “We want to shift the power—behind the scenes, on the stage, and in policy rooms. That’s what justice looks like.”

Overcoming the Barriers

As independent filmmakers and disabled women of color, Tameka and Juliet have faced no shortage of challenges—denied access, underfunded projects, and a lack of institutional support. Tameka was once rejected from a broadcasting school simply because of her disability. But rejection only fueled her.

Since then, she’s produced five films, spoken at national disability justice events, been mentored by the likes of W. Kamau Bell and Ashley McFarlin, and contributed to PBS’ American Masters: The Renegades, which earned Webby and Telly Awards for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Juliet’s documentary work has also aired on PBS, and her founding of Unstoppable at Slamdance Film Festival has opened doors for countless disabled creators.

Together, they’re unstoppable indeed.

What Comes Next

Tameka and Juliet’s ultimate vision is expansive. They’re laying the groundwork for a full media production company dedicated to telling Black, disabled, women-centered stories. Their dream? To create mentorship pipelines for disabled youth and produce even more content that challenges dominant narratives.

“We’re building the platform we wish we had when we were growing up,” says Tameka.

How You Can Support

You don’t have to be in the industry to support the movement. Here’s how you can help:

• Watch the webinars: Tune in and share the #AutisticOutLoud webinar series on YouTube.
• Follow the project on Instagram: @autisticoutlouddocumentary
• Spread the word: Use your voice, your platform, and your network to amplify Black autistic voices.
• Support: Grassroots support is what powers independent projects like this. Reach out via tamekaspruce@outlook.com for partnership opportunities.

Final Thoughts

Tameka Citchen-Spruce and Juliet Romeo are not waiting for permission. They’re not here to fit in—they’re here to reshape the narrative. And with #AutisticOutLoud, they’re doing exactly that.

This isn’t just media. This is movement. This is legacy. This is what it looks like when Black autistic lives are not just acknowledged—but centered, valued, and celebrated.

To learn more or to get involved, visit:
📧 tamekaspruce@outlook.com
📺 YouTube: @AutisticOutLoudDocumentary
📲 Instagram: @autisticoutlouddocumentary

Share this. Talk about it. Make space. Because Black autistic voices matter. And it’s time the world finally listens.