National Leadership Program, Fall 2018 and Spring 2019
Emily Kranking
Emily Kranking was a Communications (Hollywood) Apprentice in RespectAbility’s National Leadership Program for Spring 2019. She was pleased to extend her Apprenticeship after having a productive experience as a Public Policy/Employment Apprentice in Fall 2018.
Kranking has hemiplegia cerebral palsy, affecting her right side of her body and her speech. She has gone through leg surgeries and a spinal fusion. Over the years, she has educated herself how people with disabilities are treated in entertainment and society. Working as a Communications Apprentice at RespectAbility mixes her passion for entertainment and her love of service with strategic communications to help people with disabilities.
Kranking has an associate degree in Graphic Design from Howard Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Media and Communications Studies from University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). During her time at UMBC, she received an A on her capstone project about “Disability and the Media.” She also was honored in UMBC’s Delta Alphi Phi chapter. Her leadership positions included the leading web developer in the Student Government Association, a copy editor for the literary magazine Bartleby and a photographer for The Retriever Weekly. She was also an active member of UMBC’s New Media Studios and the Musical Theater Club. She is currently an editor for Our Parish Times and a freelance writer for clients, including the interactive story app Episode.
As an actress, Kranking’s first feature film, The Homecoming, is scheduled to be released this fall. Zeno Mountain Farm’s The Homecoming is the first movie musical that mainly stars actors and dancers with disabilities. Emily will star as Nancy, the bubbly best friend of the main character Sage. Locally, she is active in the inclusive theater company Open Circle Theater in Silver Spring, Maryland as the Director’s Assistant and Projection Operator. She plans on getting a master’s degree in screenwriting, theater, communications, disability studies or children’s media.
Kranking wrote several pieces during the Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 Apprenticeships. Check them out on our website:
- Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal Makes New Commitments on Jobs for People with Disabilities
(October 4, 2018) - Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner Makes New Commitments on Jobs for People with Disabilities
(October 4, 2018) - Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards Makes New Commitments on Jobs for People with Disabilities
(October 4, 2018) - Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer Makes New Commitments on Jobs for People with Disabilities
(October 8, 2018) - Career Lessons from a Romance Writer: Robert Rudney on Life, Love and Pursuing Your Career in D.C.
(November 13, 2018) - Hearts of Glass Shatters Exclusion of Workers with Disabilities (January 16, 2019)
- Academy-Nominated Films of 2019 Make Slow Progress with Disability Representation
(February 22, 2018) - A Cute but Determined Woman with Cerebral Palsy: Believe It! (March 21, 2019)
- Selma Blair: Positive Role Model for Success (March 23, 2019)
- BroadwayCon Puts the Spotlight on People with Disabilities (April 2, 2019)
- Shanghai Disneyland is the Most MagicALL Place on Earth (April 4, 2019)
- SXSW Highlights Different Disabilities on Screen (April 17, 2019)
- Physical Disabilities Take the Rare Spotlight on Broadway (April 19, 2019)
- Ali Stroker becomes the First Tony-Nominated Performer Who Uses a Wheelchair
(May 3, 2019)
JOIN OUR TEAM!
RespectAbility is a nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities for and with people with disabilities. Learn more about the National Leadership Program and apply for the next cohort! Contact [email protected] for more information.
ALL APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES
- PUBLIC POLICY/EMPLOYMENT
- ENTERTAINMENT AND NEWS MEDIA
- COMMUNICATIONS
- NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT
- CIVIC ENGAGEMENT/COALITION BUILDING
- JEWISH INCLUSION
- PHILANTHROPY
- APPRENTICESHIP FOR BLIND AND LOW-VISION LEADERS
