On this episode of Fierce Lab, Tara talks with Keely Cat-Wells, an entrepreneur and disability advocate who founded C Talent, a talent agency that represents deaf and disabled artists, athletes, and influencers. Keely is also on Forbes 30 under 30 and the advisory board of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. In their conversation, Keely discusses taking risks, handling pushback, the issues of ableism, and her inspiration for founding C Talent. She also talks about invisible disabilities, disclosure, and her mission to eliminate section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which allows companies to pay people with disabilities a subminimum wage.

Keely’s background and founding C Talent

When Keely was 17, she became disabled. After an extended hospital stay, she realized the world was no longer built with her in mind. Keely, a former dancer, began representing talent and moved to LA. At one point, she lost a job because of ableism, defined as the discrimination or prejudice against disabled people. This inspired her to found C Talent, a talent management company that represents high-profile deaf and disabled artists, athletes, and influencers, with the goal of normalizing disabled people as experts in subjects beyond disability.

Taking risk

Though Keely says her move to LA was a huge risk, she said she had nothing else to lose. As a result, Keely is more calculated in taking risks; when you know what you want, where you want to go, and what has happened in the past, you are better prepared for all the possible outcomes.

Handling pushback

Keely wishes that she initially would have been more aware that not everyone would agree with her goal of making sizable change. She's still learning how to better handle conflict and people that challenge her, including those who have made comments denying her identity by assuming she is making up her experiences of being disabled. Keely hopes that people will learn to better embrace the needs of others and be less quick to judge. C Talent is working with talent to create roles and campaigns and pitching ideas to big brands and companies. Even though some companies have a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team, often only 2% of the team include disability in their agenda.

Invisible disabilities

Keely and Tara also talk about invisible disabilities and the difficulty and importance of disclosure. Keely says that disclosing an invisible disability can be a big and scary conversation, but invisible disabilities should be recognized and properly accommodated so that people can achieve their full potential. Employers should be encouraged to ask all employees about their access requirements and establish more inclusive environments.

Section 14(c) from the Fair Labor Standards Act

Keely is working to raise awareness and challenge section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which allows companies to pay disabled people a subminimum wage. She states that due to 14(c), currently 300,000 Americans are legally being paid $3 an hour or less. She aims to eliminate this policy and to achieve equity in employment.

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