PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Giving people with autism a voice and an opportunity to become independent is Eva Blackwell’s passion. In 2009, she founded the Verge of Independence Project to support young adults on the autism spectrum through multimedia advocacy, using her 20-plus years of experience in the industry.
“You have some young adults who would prefer to write. Some of them like to vlog. Some would prefer to create a video short. So all of those things, I’m able to support them,” she said.
Blackwell is familiar with the needs of the autism community. Her 35-year-old son Branford was diagnosed when he was 7.
“He is very verbal and has always been someone to very expressively share what his needs and wants are, and also able to advocate for himself. So there is a lot of frustration that I saw with some of his classmates, that if they’re not able to express themselves, they do get frustrated,” she said.
The Verge of Independence Project facilitates workshops, both in-person and virtually, and collaborates with other organizations to educate and train the autism community to address real-world issues.
“It’s very encouraging because when you see that light go off … that’s another level of independence that [they] have gained.”
While teaching at the Community College of Philadelphia, she mentored a young woman on the autism spectrum who went on to become an award-winning writer. Blackwell said she realized the lives she was touching.
“I’m learning something from them, so it really makes me see that it’s important that we just treat each other as humans and respect and appreciate what those differences are,” she added. “That’s what really keeps me going.”
During Black History Month, KYW Newsradio’s GameChangers honors individuals or organizations that have made a significant, positive impact in communities of color in the greater Philadelphia region. View the 2025 honorees here.