By National News Staff
As the nationwide grassroots movement known as REV UP celebrates its monumental tenth anniversary of building political power and civic engagement within the disability community, advocates from every corner of the country are being recognized for their unique contributions to accessible democracy. Founded in Texas in 2016 by dedicated grassroots activists, REV UP—which stands for "Register, Educate, Vote, Use your Power!"—has grown over the past decade into an influential national force. While the movement is fundamentally united by a singular vision of an inclusive and fully accessible electoral system, one of its greatest structural strengths remains the diverse array of approaches brought by individual coalitions and members. Among those defining this creative wave of civic participation is Derek Heard, a gifted artist and community advocate with REV UP Georgia, who has masterfully demonstrated how art can transcend traditional boundaries to become a transformative tool for political engagement.
Heard, an accomplished community advocate and visual artist based in Georgia, has long maintained deep affiliations with REV UP Georgia and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). His leadership journey reached a significant milestone as a 2012—noting his recent educational milestones, specifically as a 2022 alumnus of the prestigious AAPD Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program. Beyond his foundational work with REV UP, Heard has lent his voice, talent, and perspective to several prominent disability-focused organizations, including Uniting for Change, Synergies Works, and the Center on Youth Voice, Youth Choice. For Heard, whose primary mode of communication and comprehension of the world relies heavily on drawings, graphics, and visual storytelling, art serves as an invaluable bridge to help people understand complex civic concepts.
For Heard, visual art represents the ultimate medium to convey why voting matters deeply, reaching audiences on an emotional and personal level. Through his vibrant creativity, he has helped transform voter registration and ballot access efforts into approachable, welcoming experiences for community members who might otherwise feel alienated by bureaucratic political processes.
"Art can grow stronger to help people understand what REV UP, and vote, and supported decision making, and advocacy are, so important to your heart and your passion," Heard explained, articulating the driving philosophy behind his creative output.
The significance of the disability vote is a deeply personal matter for Heard. Through both his expressive artwork and his spoken words, he has consistently illuminated why exercising the right to vote is critical for individuals living with disabilities. He describes the empowering nature of collective political participation, noting that a unified voice "can be heard around the world and make them stronger and more powerful."
This sense of personal agency stands in stark contrast to how Heard felt before finding his political home within the movement. He openly describes experiencing a sensation "like a puppet" when first learning about lawmakers in positions of power crafting legislation deliberately intended to restrict ballot access for him and others within the disability community. However, becoming actively involved with REV UP fundamentally altered that dynamic, empowering Heard to reclaim his autonomy and make a tangible difference in the democratic process.
The turning point in Heard’s professional and advocacy journey came through Stacey Ramirez, a fellow leader with REV UP Georgia. Ramirez was the first person to recognize the commercial and advocacy potential of Heard’s artwork, encouraging him to turn his passion into an independent business and channel his creative output directly into the fight for voting rights. Because of Ramirez’s unwavering belief in his talents, Heard was able to expand his reach, sharing his artistic vision with a broader public and embedding his illustrations firmly within the accessible democracy movement.
"It all started when I couldn’t find a job that I liked, and she was like, ‘Why not try making your own?’ She saw my passion in my heart, and she suggested I should start my own business and follow my heart," Heard recalled.
That pivotal encouragement led to the creation of Derek’s Doodles, a thriving enterprise featuring colorful, engaging illustrations that now serve as vital educational tools. Heard’s artwork helps individuals with disabilities navigate and comprehend the often-intricate mechanics of the voting process. Furthermore, his cheerful and vibrant artistic style infuses a sense of joy and lightness into political landscapes that can frequently feel heavy, exclusionary, and complicated. By creating authentic representation through his illustrations, Heard ensures that members of the disability community feel visibly seen, valued, and fundamentally connected to the vital work of building a truly accessible democracy.
Derek’s mother, Teresa Heard, offered deeper perspective on the profound impact that REV UP Georgia had on her son, noting how the organization helped him internalize his value both as an artist and as an influential voting advocate.
"[REV UP Georgia members] were the first ones that actually saw Derek’s artwork as an asset. They were the first organization that paid Derek for his graphics. So where we are now, we credit a lot from the vision of Stacey and REV UP Georgia to see Derek, his work, really looking at him as an individual, having a space for him to be creative in REV UP, and to be able to do civic work in his own unique way," Teresa Heard shared.
Reflecting on the validation and community he found through the organization, Derek Heard expressed a fierce dedication to the cause, stating simply, "That’s why I’m gonna try to work hard until the end."
Today, Derek’s Doodles is prominently featured across the official REV UP Georgia website, where his artwork often incorporates familiar imagery and themes from classic fairy tales, such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, as well as Little Red Riding Hood. When asked why he chose fairy tales as a central motif for his civic art, Heard offered a straightforward and poignant explanation: "Because fairy tales always brought happy endings."
Far from resting on his past accomplishments, Heard’s creative output and professional reach continue to scale outward. He is currently deep into production on an ambitious new film project titled Doodling for Democracy, which aims to bring his unique visual language and advocacy message to the screen.
Describing the core message of the upcoming film, Heard emphasized, "It is all about art of advocate, disability voice matters, and how we are strong with our vote."
Heard’s vision extends well beyond individual illustrations or single projects; he maintains a profound appreciation for the interconnectedness of the various REV UP coalitions operating nationwide. To illustrate his conception of his own role within this sprawling national movement, Heard created a striking piece of conceptual art known as the "REV UP Galaxy." The drawing depicts a vibrant solar system in which the Sun and surrounding planets are represented by diverse members of the disability community. In this celestial visualization, Heard places himself directly at the center, anchored by a self-portrait atop the Sun, while surrounding advocates radiate outward.
"I’m the solar system of the sun, and they all count on me to do the best to make the planet a better place, because I give the warm rays to all planets, and it makes me feel like I’m important, so it’s my duty to do my best to help people and help REV UP, and all our decision making of advocates," Heard reflected.
Within Heard’s visionary "REV UP galaxy," every single individual possesses a distinct, irreplaceable role to play in the machinery of civic life. Through a potent combination of compelling artwork, steadfast advocacy, and boundless imagination, Derek Heard has left an indelible mark on communities near and far. As the REV UP movement marks its first decade of national impact, visionary leaders like Heard are already casting their gaze toward the horizon, committed to ensuring that the disability community remains a powerful, visible, and enduring force in American democracy for generations to come.
