KenCCID Welcomes Jamiel Owens as Keynote Speaker for the 2026 Possibilities Gala
An Inspiring Voice for Autism Advocacy, Family Empowerment, and Community Inclusion
KenCCID is proud to announce Jamiel Owens, a nationally respected autism advocate, family engagement leader, and public speaker, as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Possibilities Gala, taking place Friday, November 20, 2026, at La Luna Banquet Hall in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
As KenCCID celebrates more than 50 years of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), Jamiel brings a powerful perspective on advocacy, inclusion, family engagement, and the importance of creating communities where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
His message of dignity, connection, and turning advocacy into meaningful action reflects the values at the heart of KenCCID's mission.
A Passion for Advocacy Rooted in Personal Experience
For Jamiel Owens, advocacy is more than a profession. It is deeply personal.
As the father of a son with autism, Jamiel understands firsthand the challenges, opportunities, and everyday experiences families encounter while navigating education, healthcare, community services, and support systems.
His lived experience has shaped his commitment to ensuring that families have access to the information, resources, and meaningful partnerships they need to advocate for their loved ones.
Through his work, Jamiel encourages families to recognize the strength of their voices while challenging organizations and service providers to listen, collaborate, and create more inclusive environments.
His approach emphasizes a powerful principle: Families should not simply receive support from systems. They should have a voice in shaping how those systems work.
Building Bridges Between Families, Research, and Communities
Jamiel currently serves as Family Relations Coordinator at the Center for Autism Research (CAR) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
In this role, he works alongside families, researchers, and community partners to expand equitable access to autism education, research participation, and support.
His efforts focus on strengthening relationships between families and professionals, building trust within communities, and helping ensure that individuals from underserved populations have opportunities to participate in research and access valuable resources.
By connecting lived experiences with research and professional expertise, Jamiel helps bridge gaps that can prevent families from receiving the understanding and support they deserve.
Empowering Families Through Ausomeness Inc.
Beyond his work at CHOP, Jamiel is the founder of Ausomeness Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering families through education, advocacy, and connection.
A particular focus of his work is engaging fathers and reaching underserved communities whose perspectives and experiences have not always been adequately represented in conversations about disability services and support.
Through Ausomeness Inc., Jamiel advocates for stronger family involvement, greater awareness of neurodiversity, and inclusive practices that recognize the unique needs and strengths of every individual.
His work reinforces the importance of building communities where families feel heard, respected, and empowered to make informed decisions.
From Public Service to Disability Advocacy
Before dedicating his career to family engagement and autism advocacy, Jamiel served in law enforcement and as a volunteer firefighter in Pennsylvania.
These experiences continue to influence his perspective on emergency preparedness, public safety, and the importance of ensuring that first responders and community organizations understand and respond appropriately to neurodivergent individuals.
His background brings an additional dimension to his advocacy, emphasizing that inclusion must extend into every aspect of community life, including safety, accessibility, communication, and emergency response.
Turning Awareness Into Meaningful Action
Known for his honesty, conviction, and ability to connect with audiences, Jamiel delivers presentations that challenge people to look beyond awareness and consider what meaningful inclusion requires.
His speaking engagements explore topics such as family-professional partnerships, father engagement, disability advocacy, community trust-building, and navigating complex systems with dignity and purpose.
Rather than simply encouraging audiences to recognize challenges, Jamiel inspires them to become part of the solution.
His message is one of hope, responsibility, and action—reminding us that lasting change happens when individuals, families, professionals, and communities work together.
This perspective aligns closely with KenCCID's commitment to promoting dignity, choice, independence, safety, and well-being for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Join Us for the 2026 Possibilities Gala
KenCCID's Possibilities Gala is more than an evening of celebration. It is an opportunity to recognize the achievements of the individuals we serve, honor the people and partnerships that make our mission possible, and inspire continued support for a more inclusive future.
We look forward to welcoming Jamiel Owens as our keynote speaker and hearing his inspiring perspective on advocacy, empowerment, and the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families.
📅 Friday, November 20, 2026
🕓 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍La Luna Banquet Hall, Bensalem, Pennsylvania
Join KenCCID for an unforgettable evening featuring inspiring speakers, live entertainment, dining, raffles, and opportunities to support programs and services that make a lasting difference.
Be Part of the Possibilities
Your participation helps KenCCID continue its mission of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live meaningful lives filled with dignity, independence, and opportunity.
Unable to attend? You can still make a difference by donating or becoming a sponsor.
Together, we can turn advocacy into action, strengthen our communities, and create more possibilities for everyone.
Comments