The 2025 Lifeworks Annual Celebration: 60 Years of Disability Inclusion

On Friday, May 9, more than 700 people gathered at the Hilton Minneapolis to celebrate the 2025 Lifeworks Annual Celebration, and to officially kick off our 60th anniversary! Together, we honored six decades of progress and launched a bold vision to make disability inclusion the standard, not the exception.

At the heart of this year’s celebration was a transformative truth: more than 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. living with a disability therefore disability inclusion must be the standard, not the exception. Throughout the evening, speakers returned to this idea again and again, reminding us that a truly inclusive community is one where people with disabilities aren’t just present – they are leaders, neighbors, coworkers, artists, and changemakers. From the electric opening performance by the Lifeworks client band, Musical Syndrome, to moving reflections from current and former CEOs, the program invited us all to expand our understanding of what’s possible when we build with, not for, the disability community.

In her remarks, President and CEO Gertrude Matemba-Mutasa challenged us to imagine a world where every public space is designed to be accessible from the start. She painted a bold vision: one where people with disabilities no longer hear “no” at the job interview, at the café, or at the community center. Instead, they are met with “yes.” Yes, you are welcome here. Yes, you belong. Yes, your voice matters.

Her message was powerful: true inclusion means reimagining our communities from the ground up, not as a box to check, but as a shared commitment that opens doors for everyone. And Lifeworks is committed to making sure no one is left behind as we shape what comes next.

Throughout the program, we shared what’s next for our organization: the launch of Centers for Disability Inclusion, a statewide initiative to open ultra-accessible community spaces where people with and without disabilities can connect, access services, and learn together. These centers are built for everyone and represent the next step in ensuring that disability inclusion is woven into the fabric of our communities.

Honoring the Changemakers

We were proud to present three awards recognizing individuals and organizations that are helping build a more disability-inclusive Minnesota:

• Jim Wolford Community Impact Award: Metropolitan Airports Commission – MSP Airport and Airport Foundation MSP
  For their decades-long partnership with Lifeworks and their leadership in creating accessible airport experiences for all.
• Employer of the Year: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
  A partner since 1987, Blue Cross has hired over 100 Lifeworks clients and funded disability inclusion trainings statewide.
• Disability Inclusion Champion Award: Sumukha Terakanambi
  A passionate policy consultant and self-advocate working to prioritize disability in public policy and systems change.

Building the Future – Together

With your generosity, we raised an impressive $570,000 to support the opening of new Centers for Disability Inclusion. These centers will be vibrant, community-driven spaces designed to expand access and opportunity — and your support made that possible.

We are deeply grateful to:

• Our generous sponsors, especially our premier sponsor, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, whose long-standing partnership makes this event, and our work, possible.
• Our dedicated event committee and table captains, who championed the Annual Celebration in their communities and helped bring so many people to the room.
• The Lifeworks Board of Directors, for their leadership and commitment to our mission.
• All of our auction donors for contributing exciting packages to help us meet our fundraising goals.
• Our emcee, A.J. Hilton, for once again bringing warmth, energy, and heart to the stage.
• Our auctioneer, Stacey McCurnin, for rallying the crowd to help us meet our fundraising goal.
• Our ASL interpreters, staff, and amazing volunteers, who ensured the event was accessible and ran smoothly from start to finish.
• And most importantly each of you who joined us, donated, cheered, danced, and said “yes” to advancing disability inclusion.

Keep the Momentum Going

Lifeworks has been advancing disability inclusion for 60 years, and we’re just getting started. As we look ahead, we invite you to stay connected and help shape the next chapter:

• See photos from the event
• Watch videos from the evening – including a recap to re-live the excitement!
• Hire Lifeworks for a disability inclusion training
• Become a donor or make your gift monthly
• Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
• Subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates, stories, and events

Thank you for being part of the movement. Together, we’re building a future where disability inclusion is the standard, and not the exception.