Mighty Member since May 2017
Jawanda Barnett Mast is mom to 24-year-old Rachel who was born with Down syndrome. Since Rachel’s birth, Jawanda has become an advocate for the rights of people with Down syndrome and other disabilities. She is host of the Disability Blog “TheSassySoutherGal” and founder of the #321Advocate Social Media Advocacy Group. Jawanda has spent 30+ years working in community education and volunteer management through various non-profit organizations. She is passionate about the inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome and other significant intellectual disabilities in the classroom and community and advocating for effective public policies that support individuals with disabilities. She and her husband Jonathan are both graduates of the University of Arkansas and make their home in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe, KS. Her daughter Rachel received a diploma in 2018 from Olathe South High School. She completed three semesters in the Missouri State University Bear POWER program in Springfield, MO, a Project SEARCH internship program, and currently works as a Patient Greeter at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Rachel loves comforting others and says the best thing about her job is being part of the KU MED family!