When Latavia Sturdivant was crowned Ms. Wheelchair America 2026, it marked a historic moment not just for her but for the state of New York. As the first national titleholder from the state, Latavia didn’t just win a crown; she opened a door. For her, the moment symbolized breaking a long-standing glass ceiling and finally bringing the Ms. Wheelchair America mission home to New York.

“It meant everything,” she says. While upstate New York had long been familiar with the program, the New York City metro area still needed broader awareness. Her win brought that exposure statewide, along with a powerful reminder that representation matters. “New York is the best place to be,” Latavia adds. “And now we get to share this mission with all of the state.”

That sense of purpose carries through every part of Latavia’s life. Beyond her title, she is an educator, a licensed speech language pathologist and a mentor. Education, she explains, has always been about awareness and helping people see what’s possible. For the students she serves, simply seeing her in her role can be transformative. “They tell me, ‘If you did it, that means I can do it, too,'” she shares. Watching confidence and self-advocacy grow through communication is what drives her work.

Her impact extends to her graduate students as well. Too often, future service providers only see disability from one side of the relationship. Latavia flips that script. As someone who both received services and now provides them, she shows what’s possible when lived experience meets professional expertise. “Empathy is the key to everything,” she says. “When you put yourself in your clients’ shoes, you can build better relationships and become a better provider.”

Latavia’s career path came full circle. As a child, she received speech therapy herself. What started as a dream of becoming a pediatrician eventually evolved into a career in speech-language pathology. This profession allowed her to give back while doing something she truly loves. “It felt right,” she says. “A full-circle moment.”

That lived experience also shapes how she speaks about mobility and access. For Latavia, the challenges people face in obtaining reliable mobility equipment are both deeply personal and deeply systemic. Affordability is a major barrier. Insurance often doesn’t cover essential equipment, forcing people to pay out of pocket for things that aren’t optional, but necessary.

Access is another growing concern. The process to drive—already complex—becomes even more daunting when resources disappear. “For able-bodied people, getting a license is straightforward,” she explains. “For us, there are so many moving parts. At some point, people ask themselves if it’s even worth it.”

That reality ties directly to her broader message: mobility equals independence. Without her wheelchair, leg braces, or adaptive equipment, Latavia wouldn’t be able to work, travel or show up in her community. “These aren’t things we desire,” she says. “They’re things we need.”

Being visible matters just as much as being mobile. Latavia believes that the more people with disabilities are seen living full, active lives, the faster misconceptions begin to fall away. “Visibility breaks down assumptions,” she says. “People start to realize we’re just people—working and living like everyone else.”

Advocacy has been a constant thread throughout her journey, and her advice is clear: speak up. “If you know you need something, let your voice be heard,” she says. She points to a moment in college when she advocated for something as simple as a desk. That single request eventually led to campus-wide accessibility improvements that helped countless others. “You never know who you’re helping when you advocate for yourself,” she reflects.

That same motivation led her to create Queens on a Roll, a podcast she launched in 2022 after countless public interactions filled with assumptions—people questioning whether she could speak, or expressing shock that she worked. The podcast celebrates successes, addresses challenges and confronts misconceptions head-on. With three seasons already available across major platforms, Latavia plans to relaunch new episodes soon, continuing the conversation she started.

As Ms. Wheelchair America 2026, Latavia is focused on more than awareness. She’s committed to systemic change. She’s already working with legislators, advocating for policy improvements, and pushing to ensure disabled voices are not just included, but valued in decision-making spaces. “I want us integrated into the process,” she says, “not added as an afterthought.”

One of the clearest expressions of that vision is her TEDx talk, “The Illusion of Inclusion,” in which she challenges systems that claim to support disabled people while limiting choice, access, and independence. It’s a message she plans to carry throughout her reign and beyond.

Latavia Sturdivant’s journey is still unfolding, but one thing is certain: she’s not just making history. She’s building momentum. And she’s inviting everyone to come along for the ride.

Inspired by Latavia’s story?

• Watch her TEDx talk, The Illusion of Inclusion, to learn why true accessibility requires systemic change.
• Listen to Queens on a Roll on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube to hear honest conversations that challenge misconceptions and celebrate lived experience.
• If you or someone you love is navigating mobility needs, connect with a MobilityWorks Certified Mobility Consultant to explore accessible vehicle and equipment options designed to support independence and everyday life.