Mentor Spotlight: Liyalani Roebuck

Rediscovering Self, Reclaiming Power, Creating Space

“Raised by resilience, guided by love - you’re strength growing beautifully against all odds.”

Liyalani Roebuck’s journey is not about becoming someone new. It’s about rediscovering who she has always been, beyond trauma, beyond disability, beyond the limitations the world tried to place on her.

In her recent public speaking project, Rediscovering Myself, Liyalani shared a deeply personal reflection on identity, healing, advocacy, and courage. What emerged was not a story of loss, but one of reclamation.

Listen to the entire speech here:
Disability Empowerment Speech

Rediscovering the Self That Never Left

For Liyalani, rediscovery came through small but powerful moments of courage.

“It was the small moments of courage that I took, making the decision to study abroad, graduating from college, working, socializing,” she shares. “I actually had to sit back and think about some things I used to dream of before my accident to realize that those things were unfolding in my life currently.”

After becoming disabled, her understanding of herself initially shifted toward grief and loss.

“At first, I felt like my life was over. I would always say, ‘I can’t get those 18 years back.’ I was focusing on what I lost versus what I still had.”

What helped her move forward wasn’t perfection, it was time, reflection, and persistence.

“I started seeing my own potential after self-reflection through spiritual practices like prayer, journaling, and honestly time. It was really wins and losses, but I continued to show up and hold tenacity.”

Letting Go of the “Old Me”

Like many survivors, Liyalani spent time chasing a version of herself that no longer fit. Releasing that version required community and confidence.

“Familiarizing myself with the disabled community and experiences that reintegrated me into society helped, still being able to attend school, work, go to the salon, and live daily life,” she explains. “I just had to do things differently and confidently.”

Her disability may draw attention, but it’s her personality and ambition that leave an impact.

“I would grab people’s attention with my disability but keep it with my personality and ambition.”

Claiming Space, Even When It’s Uncomfortable

One of the most pivotal moments in Liyalani’s journey came when she traveled alone to Barbados.

“Individuals with disabilities were barely seen or heard, and I wasn’t used to that,” she says. “And it’s just something about someone telling me that I can’t do something that puts a battery in my back to prove them wrong.”

Navigating college and studying abroad taught her a lesson she carries with her today:

“Uncomfortable conversations need to be had, and closed mouths don’t get fed.”

When space wasn’t offered, she created it, through advocacy, storytelling, and using her platform to push forward.

“If I believe that I can, then I will. This is something I will tell anyone.”

Mentorship as Legacy and Responsibility

Mentorship plays a central role in Liyalani’s life, both as someone who once received it and now gives it.

“I know that mentorship is needed, and I was thankful to receive that growing up,” she says. “I didn’t always take heed to certain messages, but later in life, with the tools I was given, I was able to succeed.”

Her lived experience deeply informs how she shows up for the girls she mentors.

“I was once that kid below the poverty line growing up in the inner city. I went to five different high schools and saw a disconnect, not only in education, but in how people showed up for us.”

Her mission is clear: help young women see what’s possible.

“I want to help show these girls what they are capable of with the right influence and believing in themselves.”

Looking Forward: Grace, Worthiness, and Light

In this current season of life, Liyalani is rediscovering something essential.

“I’m realizing that I am worthy of love and grace. I’m learning to love on myself, start within myself, and allow myself to be unapologetically me.”

Her message to young women navigating trauma or disability is powerful and direct:

“You can do anything you put your mind to with faith and hard work. Your circumstances don’t define you. You can continuously rewrite your story, pick up where you left off and try again. Don’t dim your light for others. Instead, light the way for them with your greatness.”

Taking Back the Pen

Sharing her speech publicly marked another turning point.

“It feels good to share my own story and to take back the pen in my story,” she says.

And for those still learning how to show up for people with disabilities, her message is clear:

“Disabilities look different on everyone, some are seen, some are invisible. Don’t limit someone before becoming educated. It’s okay to not know, but it’s not okay to use that as an excuse to not move differently.”

As Maya Angelou wrote, and as Liyalani lives:

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

Liyalani Roebuck is not reduced. She is rediscovering, reclaiming, and leading, and we are honored to spotlight her journey.