Discover the Inspiring Life and Remarkable Achievements of Dr. Donna R. Walton

Dr. Donna R. Walton is an award-winning speaker, author, disability rights advocate, and actor whose life story is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and determination. As the author of Shattered Dreams, Broken Pieces, she chronicles her own journey from aspiring international stardom to confronting the sudden and life-changing loss of her leg at the age of eighteen. Refusing to let this setback define her, Dr. Walton found new ways to shine — and to help others do the same.

A leading voice for disability inclusion and racial equity, Dr. Walton founded the Divas With Disabilities Project™, an influential platform that celebrates and amplifies the experiences of Black and brown women living with disabilities. Her community-building work has been nationally recognized, including a feature on C-SPAN, and she continues to produce her forthcoming film documentary, Divas With Disabilities, exploring the multifaceted lives of women of color with disabilities.

Dr. Walton is also the founder and CEO of LEGGTalk, Inc., a for-profit empowerment service in Washington, D.C. that addresses employment disparities among women and teens with disabilities. Her 20+ years in disability and diversity employment services include significant roles with federal agencies such as the EEOC, the CDC, and the U.S. Department of Labor.

As a powerful speaker and storyteller, Dr. Walton has delivered keynote addresses for diverse audiences, from Spelman College to the Department of the Army, captivating listeners with her trademark humor and insight. Her expertise was recognized by the White House during the Obama Administration, where she was an inaugural member of the White House Disability Liaison’s Disability-African American Kitchen Cabinet and served as a Subject Matter Expert on accessibility and inclusion.

In addition to her advocacy work, Dr. Walton has revived her early dreams of performing, building an impressive acting portfolio that highlights her versatility and passion. She has appeared in films including Mercy Rd. and the web series The Retreat on BlackOak TV, and featured in commercials and industrials for leading brands such as AppleTV+, Verizon, and the CIA. Her stage presence extends to the modeling world through projects like the Bold Beauty Project in Washington, D.C., and the Raw Beauty Project in NYC.

Dr. Walton’s artistry and advocacy work have been showcased in publications such as The Afro, Washington Informer, and Amplitude, while her educational path includes a doctorate in Counseling from The George Washington University, where she later served as faculty. Despite what she describes as “triple jeopardy” — being Black, female, and disabled — Dr. Walton lives by the motto, “What’s a leg got to do with it?” as she continues to inspire and uplift others.

For more about Dr. Donna R. Walton, visit her at www.donnawalton.com.