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To Be Like Me: Leading with Heart, Growing with Purpose

A "To Be Like Me" presentation in a school auditorium. Two LEADers—one in a wheelchair and one standing with a white cane—speak to a large group of seated students who have their hands raised.

By Hollis Owens, To Be Like Me Co-Founder & Executive Director

Children with disabilities and their families navigate challenges and milestones in their everyday lives. These barriers are not just physical but deeply human, most notably a lack of understanding in our communities, particularly among children, about what it means to live with a disability. By reaching students early, we can help shape a generation that leads with empathy, kindness and compassion.

Founded in 2018, To Be Like Me is a nonprofit disability awareness program built on a guiding principle rooted in the disability rights movement: “Nothing About Us Without Us.” If we are teaching about a group of people, then those individuals must be represented and have a voice in the conversation. That belief is at the core of everything we do at To Be Like Me.

The program provides both in-person and online interactions led by individuals living with disabilities (our LEADers—Leaders in Education and Advocacy for Disabilities). Today, we have more than 60 LEADers on staff representing more than 12 different areas of disability. Through authentic engagement with our LEADers, program participants gain meaningful opportunities to practice empathy, build compassion, and strengthen communities.

Four women smile while sitting on a couch at an event. The woman in the center holds a glass award. The background screen reads "Richardson Chamber of Commerce: Live from Richardson!"
Recently honored as Nonprofit of the Year by the Richardson Chamber of Commerce, “To Be Like Me” continues to grow its impact across North Texas.

Richardson ISD Partnership

To Be Like Me has been incredibly fortunate to partner with Richardson ISD in a meaningful, impactful way. In the spring of 2024, through Project Right Size, the district made the difficult decision to close several elementary schools, including Greenwood Hills Elementary. In an incredible act of trust and partnership, RISD invited To Be Like Me to be housed in the building, now known as Greenwood Hills Learning Center.

We are deeply grateful for that opportunity and for the district’s continued support. Today, To Be Like Me serves 100 percent of Richardson ISD’s 4th grade classrooms. States RISD Superintendent Tabitha Branum, “To Be Like Me is an important part of how we develop the whole child in Richardson ISD. Through authentic, real-life experiences, students gain a deeper understanding of others, leading to more compassionate classrooms and a lasting impact on both students and teachers.”

During the 2024–2025 school year alone, more than 7,500 students and teachers experienced To Be Like Me, with participation extending beyond Richardson to include schools from Plano ISD, Keller ISD, Dallas ISD, Caddo Mills ISD and Highland Park ISD. As our reach has grown, so has the recognition of the need for this work. Recently, To Be Like Me was honored as Nonprofit of the Year by the Richardson Chamber of Commerce—an acknowledgment that reflects not only our mission, but the collective effort of our LEADers, staff, educators and community supporters.

Close-up of a "To Be Like Me" LEADer wearing glasses and a blue organization t-shirt. She is smiling and gesturing with her hands while engaging in a conversation with someone off-camera at a table.
At the heart of the program are the LEADers—individuals living with disabilities who share their voices and stories to advocate for education and inclusion.

Big Goals and Dreams

To Be Like Me was also recently named a 2026 beneficiary of the Crystal Charity Ball. This transformational support will allow us to expand our reach significantly, serving an additional 15,000 Dallas County students and teachers from 2027 through 2029—at no cost to participating schools. This next chapter brings both excitement and responsibility.

In preparation for this significant expansion, we have identified a leader with the experience and skill set to scale our impact while preserving the heart of our work. After a thoughtful and intentional search, we have chosen Richardson resident Lauren Rowe to step into the role of Executive Director in May 2026, bringing with her a strong background in leadership, systems and organizational growth. More importantly, she has a natural ability to connect with and support our LEADers—the heart and soul of everything we do.

Two "To Be Like Me" LEADers in wheelchairs sit at the front of a colorful classroom. A semi-circle of elementary students face them with their hands raised in an interactive Q&A session.
The program serves 100% of Richardson ISD’s 4th-grade classrooms, fostering compassionate environments through real-life experiences.

Thanks to To Be Like Me, tomorrow’s leaders and change makers learn early that differences are all around us—and that being different is a beautiful thing.

Find more information: > Website: tobelikeme.org

Facebook: ToBeLikeMe1

Instagram: @tobelikemeorg

A "To Be Like Me" presentation in a school auditorium. Two LEADers—one in a wheelchair and one standing with a white cane—speak to a large group of seated students who have their hands raised.

By Hollis Owens, To Be Like Me Co-Founder & Executive Director

Children with disabilities and their families navigate challenges and milestones in their everyday lives. These barriers are not just physical but deeply human, most notably a lack of understanding in our communities, particularly among children, about what it means to live with a disability. By reaching students early, we can help shape a generation that leads with empathy, kindness and compassion.

Founded in 2018, To Be Like Me is a nonprofit disability awareness program built on a guiding principle rooted in the disability rights movement: “Nothing About Us Without Us.” If we are teaching about a group of people, then those individuals must be represented and have a voice in the conversation. That belief is at the core of everything we do at To Be Like Me.

The program provides both in-person and online interactions led by individuals living with disabilities (our LEADers—Leaders in Education and Advocacy for Disabilities). Today, we have more than 60 LEADers on staff representing more than 12 different areas of disability. Through authentic engagement with our LEADers, program participants gain meaningful opportunities to practice empathy, build compassion, and strengthen communities.

Four women smile while sitting on a couch at an event. The woman in the center holds a glass award. The background screen reads "Richardson Chamber of Commerce: Live from Richardson!"
Recently honored as Nonprofit of the Year by the Richardson Chamber of Commerce, “To Be Like Me” continues to grow its impact across North Texas.

Richardson ISD Partnership

To Be Like Me has been incredibly fortunate to partner with Richardson ISD in a meaningful, impactful way. In the spring of 2024, through Project Right Size, the district made the difficult decision to close several elementary schools, including Greenwood Hills Elementary. In an incredible act of trust and partnership, RISD invited To Be Like Me to be housed in the building, now known as Greenwood Hills Learning Center.

We are deeply grateful for that opportunity and for the district’s continued support. Today, To Be Like Me serves 100 percent of Richardson ISD’s 4th grade classrooms. States RISD Superintendent Tabitha Branum, “To Be Like Me is an important part of how we develop the whole child in Richardson ISD. Through authentic, real-life experiences, students gain a deeper understanding of others, leading to more compassionate classrooms and a lasting impact on both students and teachers.”

During the 2024–2025 school year alone, more than 7,500 students and teachers experienced To Be Like Me, with participation extending beyond Richardson to include schools from Plano ISD, Keller ISD, Dallas ISD, Caddo Mills ISD and Highland Park ISD. As our reach has grown, so has the recognition of the need for this work. Recently, To Be Like Me was honored as Nonprofit of the Year by the Richardson Chamber of Commerce—an acknowledgment that reflects not only our mission, but the collective effort of our LEADers, staff, educators and community supporters.

Close-up of a "To Be Like Me" LEADer wearing glasses and a blue organization t-shirt. She is smiling and gesturing with her hands while engaging in a conversation with someone off-camera at a table.
At the heart of the program are the LEADers—individuals living with disabilities who share their voices and stories to advocate for education and inclusion.

Big Goals and Dreams

To Be Like Me was also recently named a 2026 beneficiary of the Crystal Charity Ball. This transformational support will allow us to expand our reach significantly, serving an additional 15,000 Dallas County students and teachers from 2027 through 2029—at no cost to participating schools. This next chapter brings both excitement and responsibility.

In preparation for this significant expansion, we have identified a leader with the experience and skill set to scale our impact while preserving the heart of our work. After a thoughtful and intentional search, we have chosen Richardson resident Lauren Rowe to step into the role of Executive Director in May 2026, bringing with her a strong background in leadership, systems and organizational growth. More importantly, she has a natural ability to connect with and support our LEADers—the heart and soul of everything we do.

Two "To Be Like Me" LEADers in wheelchairs sit at the front of a colorful classroom. A semi-circle of elementary students face them with their hands raised in an interactive Q&A session.
The program serves 100% of Richardson ISD’s 4th-grade classrooms, fostering compassionate environments through real-life experiences.

Thanks to To Be Like Me, tomorrow’s leaders and change makers learn early that differences are all around us—and that being different is a beautiful thing.

Find more information: > Website: tobelikeme.org

Facebook: ToBeLikeMe1

Instagram: @tobelikemeorg

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