In honor of Autism Acceptance month, we are talking with two powerhouse Kansas City moms who are sharing their work to support parents in the neurodiverse community and efforts toward making Kansas City a more inclusive place. We hope you are inspired by their stories and advocacy.
Ivory Duncan

Ivory Duncan is a dedicated single mother living in Kansas City, Missouri. She is raising her seven-year-old son, Caleel, who has autism. As a former Assistant Principal and Education Consultant, Ivory has always been passionate about supporting neurodiverse young people and training teachers on equity, inclusiveness, and anti-racism. However, it wasn't until Ivory learned about her son's diagnosis that she was tasked with "practicing what she preached."

Her own humble upbringing has instilled in her a deep sense of compassion and empathy for marginalized communities, especially those affected by racism and inequity in education. As a mother of a child with autism, Ivory's purpose in advocating for those who are most vulnerable has become even more profound. Her experiences have shaped her advocacy and desire to influence a society where everyone can thrive while being authentic.

She founded Embracing Neuro-Diversity ™, and provides  curriculum, consultation, and coaching to parents and educators, with the mission of helping others navigate this complex and unique journey with compassion and understanding. You can follow Embracing Neuro-Diversity on Facebook and Instagram.
Antoinette Redmond

Antoinette Redmond is a visionary leader in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB), whose dynamic career bridges higher education, entrepreneurship, and agriculture. With 15 years of experience and an unwavering commitment to driving meaningful change, Antoinette has dedicated her career to empowering underserved and marginalized communities. Antoinette’s mission to build inclusive communities is deeply rooted in her personal journey. She and her husband, Brandon Redmond—are the proud parents of three children: Brandon Jr., Brayden, and Brooklyn. Inspired by the experiences of her two youngest children, both diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Antoinette founded Neuru, a groundbreaking digital health platform. Neuru simplifies access to vital medical, educational, and therapeutic resources, providing families with the support they need to thrive. Driven by her belief in the power of technology to remove barriers, Antoinette’s vision is to transform the way families navigate developmental diagnoses, fostering a more inclusive and supportive world. Follow Antoinette on Facebook and Instagram.

We hear about how these moms started their organizations, where we are with inclusivity in Kansas City and where we have room to grow, and what they wish other knew about neurodiverse kids and parenting.

What We’re Loving In Kansas City
Barnyard Babies Family Festival
Megan absolutely loves animals so this one has been on her list to attend for awhile! This year's event takes place on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Meet some new furry friends and get reacquainted with your barnyard favorites - cows, sheep, pigs, goats, alpacas, horses, rabbits, and chickens! Take a scenic train ride through the woods and around the pond. Ride ponies, learn how to harvest honey and dive into corn piles. Explore antique tractors and other farming equipment. Take a hay wagon ride to see Great American Kites' giant animal-shaped kites dance in the sky. Pretend you're in class in the 100-year-old one room schoolhouse. Relax and enjoy musical entertainment and a variety of food vendors. The event is rain or shine and they recommend you arrive by at least 2:30 p.m. to have enough time to do it all!
KOMA Martial Arts
Sarah's son recently started at KOMA and loves it! KOMA Taekwondo is a locally owned martial arts school that places students' positive experiences and personal growth at the center of their teachi...