Los Angeles, October 26 – The national disability advocacy nonprofit RespectAbility is excited to announce the lineup of entertainers for its 10th Anniversary Celebration next week, featuring Platinum Sponsor Wells Fargo. The event will be hosted by actor, comedian, and RespectAbility Entertainment Lab alumna Nikki Bailey. Musician James Ian and dance troupe Straight Up Abilities will be the featured performers, and Sabeerah Najee will be the featured DJ.
Nikki Bailey
Nikki Bailey is a performer, published author, podcast host, and Emmy nominated producer. She was a featured comedian for Loni Love’s “Laugh Off” on BET’s The Real and appeared in David Krumholtz’s IFC show Gigi Does It. Bailey also played a supporting role in the short film Missed Connections, starring Pose actress and trans activist Angelica Ross. Bailey is the creator of Fatch Comedy: The Fat Sketch Show which features a cast of fat and fabulous funny ladies who’ve sold out shows at UCB in Los Angeles and San Francisco SketchFest. Bailey graduated from RespectAbility’s Entertainment Lab in Summer 2021.
“I am so honored to be hosting RespectAbility’s 10th Anniversary Celebration,” said Bailey. “Participating in the RespectAbility Entertainment Lab helped my career and introduced me to so many great opportunities. It’s such a privilege to be able to give back to the organization in this way.”
Straight Up Abilities is an exciting group providing professional performance art training to students with disabilities. Holding regular classes throughout each week and having performed at a wide variety of events and venues, their AllStar group will be performing several dances at the event.
“Straight Up Abilities is honored to be performing at RespectAbility’s Celebration Event on November 2,” said Robin Olive, Director of Straight Up Abilities. “Our AllStar students train very hard and have dreams to perform on film and stages just like anyone else. We happily support the mission of RespectAbility in creating a more inclusive world for all.”
James Ian
A prolific musician, actor, and writer, James Ian highlights the beauty of disability through art and activism. He has participated in a variety of projects with RespectAbility, including a PSA in 2022. At the event, Ian will be performing several songs including “Lift Me Up,” a song celebrating the life of Judy Heumann that he collaborated on with Lachi and Gaelynn Lea.
“I am honored and excited to perform at RespectAbility’s 10th Anniversary Celebration,” said Ian. “I love the work that RespectAbility has done these past 10 years, and I look forward to the change that the organization will help to bring about in the future.”
Sabeerah Najee
DJ and disability rights advocate Sabeerah Najee, a Long Beach native, has been surrounded by music since birth. Najee has DJ’d the second annual Soulection Experience at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, has opened for legendary EDM producer Mr.Carmack on his tour, and recently DJ’d Coachella’s Mojave stage. She also is the Concept Producer for Goldenvoice’s accessibility initiative, Accessible+. Her love for her community continues to be the driving force that pushes her to always advocate for growth and change.
Tickets to RespectAbility’s 10th Anniversary Celebration, sponsored by Wells Fargo, are now on sale to the public. Those unable to attend the event can still support RespectAbility by contributing to the 10th Anniversary Fund.
