Ismael Nunez

Self Advocate

Born and Raised in New York City, both parents coming from Puerto Rico, and raised in East Harlem. Being diagnosed with ADHD was a real struggle for Ismael, had to overcome many obstacles throughout school, college, and home. Yet he graduated from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media/Communications with a focus on Journalism.

Since being a reporter for YAI Self Advocates Newsletter he’s reported on various topics, profiled disabled organizations, which often are not featured in the mainstream media.

Nunez is a photographer who often says, "My phone is my new camera and partner in crime." You'll frequently see him snapping photos at the annual YAI Central Park Challenge. As a freelance journalist and photographer, he's covered many Latin parades and festivals in New York City, as well as demonstrations and the Coney Island Mermaid Parade.

Ismael is also a huge baseball fan! He collects baseball books and memorabilia, along with anime, movies, and documentaries. He's also given presentations on self-advocacy.

Along with being a self advocate he’s also a community activist where he also takes photos and he's a proud advocate for Latin America and the independence of Puerto Rico.