Representation matters. It’s not just a phrase, it is something that is deeply felt, especially by families who rarely, if ever, see themselves reflected back in the world around them. For Black children with Down syndrome and their families, that absence can feel so heavy. That’s why the launch of the Black Child Down Syndrome (BCDS) Project on World Down Syndrome Day 2025 was such a powerful and much needed moment.
The exhibition, Reflecting Radiance, captured by the incredibly talented Misan Harriman, gave space to the children and families who are so often overlooked. For many of us, it was the first time we saw our children – our joy, our struggles, our everyday lives – reflected back through images, films and poetry filled with light, love, and truth. That kind of visibility matters. It says, you exist, you belong, and you are valued.
Too often, the world shows just one kind of Down syndrome story – usually white, middle-class, and filtered through a lens of either pity or pity sprinkled with tiny particles of inspiration. When that’s all people see, it quietly tells everyone else that they don’t count. It becomes harder to access support, feel included, or even believe your story matters.
But seeing someone like you, with your skin, your features, your joy; on a gallery wall or public platform changes things. It builds confidence, self-worth, and hope. It sends a message to the world: we are here too, and we deserve to be seen.
This project is just the beginning. It has already built a connection and a community, not just within our own circles, but across the wider Down syndrome and disability communities. Inclusion isn’t just about having a seat at the table – it’s about reshaping the whole space so everyone is truly welcome to be there.
Representation isn’t a favour. It is necessary and it changes lives.
#representationmatters
