Join Us for EmpowerCon!

Logo, EmpowerCon Learn, Connect Celebrate! Three people figures reaching for multiple stars in sky, with shooting stars on each side.

What is EmpowerCon?

EmpowerCon is a series of events where people with disabilities, their families, and other supporters can learn and share everyday skills and resources to live more independent lives. But more than that, it’s a place to be who you are and to have fun. Join us for the entire series or pick and choose sessions that interest you.

EmpowerCon is our place to show up, be seen, and be heard. So, come in your best Zoom comfy clothes, your Cosplay, your Drag, or whatever makes you feel your best.

Come with your signs, Come with your ideas. Come with your friends. Come and make new friends. Y’all come!

Photos of Tanesha Durham and Robert Gardner with a thin white line square frame on a dark blue background with bright yellow, red and orange shooting starburst graphic on the left. Text inside frame reads Featured Speakers: Tanesha Durham, WeGo Public Transit, Robert Gardner, Lime. Friday, April 8, 2022, 1-4 PM CST, Accessible Transportation, EmpowerCon logo with shooting stars and red, blue, and purple flying people and the words Learn! Connect! Celebrate! on right bottom corner on a blue semi-circle.

When is the Next EmpowerCon?

Day: Friday, April 8, 2022

Time: Doors open at 12:30pm; Doors close at 4pm 

What’s happening at the April EmpowerCon?

EmpowerCon on April 8, 2022 is a free, virtual event about Transportation, as getting where you want to go is an important aspect of Independent Living.

First, Tanesha Durham — the Access Eligibility Specialist and ADA Coordinator for WeGo Public Transit — will lead us through a discussion about what is available in our area through public transit. Then a panel of people with disabilities will share how they’ve figured out how to successfully navigate where they would like to go. Finally, we will have a special announcement about accessible mobility from Lime’s Director of Government Relations, Robert Gardner.

What is the Access Music City Business Champion Award?

Each year Empower Tennessee chooses a local business champion that purposely makes strides to include people with disabilities. This business champion ensures that people within the disability community can participate, engage and be included in all the activities, goods and services that business provides. This business champion listens to the needs of the community and takes action.  Please nominate up to 3 business champions you believe meet or exceed the criteria of this award.

In order to be considered for the 2022 Access Music City Business Champion Award, nominations are due by October 1, 2022.

What is the Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award?

The Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award is given annually to an outstanding member of the community that embodies the characteristics of Floyd Stewart who inspired others in the disability community to show their strength and integrity every day.  Floyd Stewart touched everyone with whom he came in contact. He  encouraged others to share their talents and make meaningful contributions to the world.  Please nominate up to 3 people and explain why they should be considered for the Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award

In order to be considered for the 2022 Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award, nominations are due by November 1, 2022.

Interested in Partnering with us for a future EmpowerCon or adding Swag to the Swag Bags?

Join Us for a Virtual EmpowerCon on October 22, 2021

Logo, EmpowerCON 2021, Learn, Connect Celebrate! Three people figures reaching for multiple stars in sky, with shooting stars on each side.

What is EmpowerCon?

EmpowerCon is a series of events where people with disabilities, their families, and other supporters can learn and share everyday skills and resources to live more independent lives. But more than that, it’s a place to be who you are and to have fun.

EmpowerCon on October 22, 2021 is a virtual event about Employment, which is an important part of Independent Living. You’ll share your Employment Success Stories and we’ll all learn strategies for finding and keeping a job.

EmpowerCon on October 22, 2021 is a celebration! We’ll celebrate an individual and a business who show the world what it means to be accessible as we present the Access Music City Business Champion Award. And we’ll celebrate people and the diversity that lives within the disability community.

EmpowerCon is our place to show up, be seen, and be heard. So, come in your best Zoom comfy clothes, your Cosplay, your Drag, or whatever makes you feel your best.

Come with your signs, Come with your ideas. Come with your friends. Come and make new friends. Y’all come!

When is EmpowerCon?

Day: Friday, October 22, 2021

Time: Doors open at 12:30pm; Doors close at 4pm 

Join us for the entire time or pick and choose sessions that interest you!

What is the Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award?

The Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award is given annually to an outstanding member of the community that embodies the characteristics of Floyd Stewart who inspired others in the disability community to show their strength and integrity every day.  Floyd Stewart touched everyone with whom he came in contact. He  encouraged others to share their talents and make meaningful contributions to the world.  

Please nominate up to 3 people and explain why they should be considered for the 2021 Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award — to be presented at EmpowerCon: Food & Gratitude on November 12, 2021.

What is the Access Music City Business Award?

Each year Empower Tennessee chooses a local business that purposely makes strides to include people with disabilities. This business ensures that people within the disability community can participate, engage and be included in all the activities, goods and services that business provides. This business listens to the needs of the community and takes action.  Please nominate up to 3 businesses you believe meet or exceed the criteria of this award.

Interested in Partnering with us for EmpowerCon or adding Swag to the Swag Bags?

Join Us for EmpowerCon 2020

Logo: EmpowerCON 2020 in blue across the top; Learn! Share! Celebrate! in blue across the bottom; blue and red people and yellow and orange stars flying up and out of the center of the logo

What is EmpowerCon?

EmpowerCon is an event where people with disabilities, their families, and other supporters can learn and share everyday skills and resources to live more independent lives. But more than that, it’s a place to be who you are and to have fun. 

EmpowerCon 2020 is a virtual event about Access, which is an important part of Independent Living. We’ll talk about voting, preparing, learning, sharing, working, advocating, playing, and living. You’ll share your stories of what access means to you and how we all can fight for our rights to equality — not just as people with disabilities, but as people with intersecting identities. 

EmpowerCon 2020 is a celebration! We’ll honor the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its impact on everyday lives. We’ll celebrate an individual and a business who show the world what it means to be independent and accessible as we present the Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award and the Access Music City Business Champion Award. And we’ll celebrate people and the diversity that lives within the disability community. 

EmpowerCon is our place to show up, be seen, and be heard. So, come in your best Zoom comfy clothes, your Cosplay, your Drag, or whatever makes you feel your best. Come with your signs, Come with your ideas. Come with your friends. Come and make new friends. Y’all come! 

When is EmpowerCon?

Days: Tuesday, November 17- Wednesday November 18

Time: Events throughout the day and evening — from 10 am – 10 pm 

Join us for the entire time or pick and choose sessions that interest you!

What is the Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award?

The Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award is given annually to an outstanding member of the community that embodies the characteristics of Floyd Stewart who inspired others in the disability community to show their strength and integrity every day.  Floyd Stewart touched everyone with whom he came in contact. He  encouraged others to share their talents and make meaningful contributions to the world.  Please nominate up to 3 people and explain why they should be considered for the 2020 Floyd Stewart EveryDay Hero Award.

What is the Access Music City Business Award?

Each year Empower Tennessee chooses a local business that purposely makes strides to include people with disabilities. This business ensures that people within the disability community can participate, engage and be included in all the activities, goods and services that business provides. This business listens to the needs of the community and takes action.  Please nominate up to 3 businesses you believe meet or exceed the criteria of this award.

Interested in Partnering with us for EmpowerCon or adding Swag to the Swag Bags?