Eva Blackwell is the primary founder, creator, and executive director of the Verge of Independence Project (VIP), a nonprofit organization that supports young adults 18+ on the autism spectrum. Her work is deeply personal, driven by her experience as the mother of her only child, Branford, now 34, who is on the autism spectrum. This mother-son duo’s lived experiences demonstrate what it is like to advocate for oneself and others. 

The years leading up to Branford's high school graduation were the cause of Eva's deep concerns for his future. She worked tirelessly with her son and his school's administrative team to map out post-secondary life pathways for him. Eva attributes her religious faith in Nichiren Buddhism to discerning the compassionate actions she should take to ensure Branford lives and leads a good quality of life; Eva exclaims, "As a parent, I had to overcome my own ego about my son's abilities. It was tough hearing that he was struggling in certain areas, and my instinct was to protect him from those judgments. But I realized that to truly advocate for him, I had to swallow my pride and accept the reality of his challenges. Doing so allowed me to support him in the ways he needed most."

Profile of Blackwell

Eva’s journey began in Philadelphia, where she was raised in a culturally rich environment. Her parents, particularly her father, played a significant role in shaping her interests in jazz and visual arts. Growing up in South Philadelphia and later in Germantown, Eva was the eldest of three children. With her mother's constant guidance, Eva’s childhood was filled with activities that exposed her to culture and education, laying the foundation for her future endeavors.

Eva attended predominantly white schools from kindergarten through high school. She graduated from George Washington High School in 1982 and went on to Howard University, where she became a freshman classmate of Vice President Kamala Harris. Eva often shares this connection with her students to inspire them, emphasizing that, like Presidential hopeful Harris, they too can achieve their goals, no matter how distant they may seem.

Before founding VIP, Eva had a long-lasting broadcasting and news journalism career. She worked across various roles, including producing, directing, editing, and on-air. This experience and her career in higher education equipped her with the skills to combine communication and education effectively. Today, she continues to teach in higher education while leading VIP, which she describes as a passion project rooted in her love for communication and education. Through VIP, Eva merges her broadcasting, journalism, and education expertise to provide critical resources and communication platforms for those transitioning from high school to adult life.

Autism in Perspective

Autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder, is characterized by challenges with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. It is a spectrum disorder, meaning its impact varies widely among individuals. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with ASD. For many families, navigating life with autism involves overcoming significant challenges, particularly as children transition into adulthood. Resources often become scarce once individuals with autism age out and or leave the structured environment of high school, leaving many families unsure of how to support their loved ones. 

 

The Verge of Independence Project (VIP)

The Verge of Independence Project was born out of Eva’s concern for Branford, her son, who, like many others on the autism spectrum, needed additional support after high school. As Branford approached graduation, Eva realized that the available resources were inadequate to help him achieve independence. This realization, coupled with her background in communication and education and a desire to build a virtual autism community, led her to create an interactive, judgment-free, resource-driven website, the Verge of Independence Project (VIP): Multimedia Autism Advocacy. The VIP website contributors have been millennials and Gen Z staff, interns, and volunteers. Some are part of the [autism] community, and those not on the spectrum want to create substantive content for the neurodivergent community. 

VIP’s mission is to provide young adults on the autism spectrum with the resources and tools they need to navigate adulthood. The organization focuses on personal and professional workforce development, post-secondary education, self-advocacy, self-confidence, and interpersonal communication. VIP also serves as a platform for those on the spectrum to tell their stories, make connections, and advocate for themselves through various forms of media, including writing, podcasting, digital storytelling, and video production.

One critical aspect of VIP is its emphasis on communication. Eva believes effective communication is vital to overcoming challenges, a philosophy underpinning all of VIP’s initiatives. The project offers a respectful, brave space design with many resources that help individuals on the spectrum find their voices and advocate for themselves. 

VIP is one of the region's pioneers of multimedia autism advocacy for adults ages 18+ who identify as autistic or on the spectrum. Since its inception, VIP's concept of building a neurodiversity movement came with its challenges, particularly in educating people on the importance of autism acceptance and how best they can help with the support of neurodivergent people. Melissa Lushington, who is a staff writer for VIP and identifies as autistic, says, "Autistic people remind us that diversity, inclusion, and acceptance is something society should always aspire to be. By doing so, we create a better world where everyone takes care of each other and appreciates the beauty of being different." 

When the VIP website launched over a decade ago, much of Eva's time again was spent educating people about autism, as many were unfamiliar with the condition. However, as public awareness has grown, so too has VIP's visibility. Through Eva's committed stewardship, VIP has received several grants, allowing it to expand its reach and impact through its curriculum and workshop development. The organization frequently partners with local colleges, including the Community College of Philadelphia, Rowan University, and Drexel University, to host workshops and offer resources for students on the autism spectrum as part of the academic institutions' DEI+ (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) initiatives. These partnerships have been essential in establishing VIP as a valuable resource within the community.

Looking ahead, Eva has ambitious, sustainable plans for VIP and the autism culture. Her long-term goal is to establish a welcoming, safe physical space where young adults on the autism spectrum can come to learn, create, and advocate. She envisions a multimedia lab and distribution hub where students can gain hands-on experience in blogging, podcasting, and news reporting. The experience would serve as a marketable skill for people on the autism spectrum, affording them opportunities in various industries (a career pipeline.) Such contemporary space also would serve as VIP's headquarters, enabling the organization to further its mission, reach more individuals, and provide more internships and staff opportunities. In the interim, VIP invites you to see what they do and connect with the Verge of Independence Project at www.vergeofindependenceproject.org.