As the nationwide REV UP movement marks its tenth anniversary, advocates and organizers across the country are reflecting on a decade spent building the political power of the disability vote. Founded in 2016 by grassroots activists in Texas, REV UP—which stands for "Register, Educate, Vote, Use your Power!"—has grown from a localized initiative into a powerful national coalition. To celebrate this milestone, communities are spotlighting the diverse leaders whose unique methods, talents, and unwavering dedication reflect the strength and far-reaching influence of the movement.
One of the defining characteristics of a thriving grassroots movement is that there is no single, prescribed path to advocacy. While every coalition and individual member remains united by a shared vision of a fully accessible democracy, they bring entirely distinct approaches to the vital work of engaging the disability community. Among these changemakers is Derek Heard, a gifted community advocate and artist from Georgia whose collaboration with REV UP Georgia and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) demonstrates how visual art can serve as a potent catalyst for civic engagement.
Heard is a prominent figure within the Georgia disability advocacy network. A 2022 alumnus of the prestigious Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program—administered by AAPD—Heard has also lent his voice and talents to organizations such as Uniting for Change, Synergies Works, and the Center on Youth Voice, Youth Choice. For Heard, who often relies on drawings and graphics to communicate and process the world around him, art is far more than a creative outlet. It is the ultimate medium for demonstrating why voting matters, cutting through complex political jargon to touch people directly on an emotional and personal level. Through his vibrant imagery, Heard creates an accessible, welcoming entry point into the often intimidating world of voting rights and civic participation.
Reflecting on his philosophy, Heard explains that art possesses the unique capacity to crystallize complex concepts. It helps people understand what REV UP, voting, supported decision-making, and advocacy truly represent, anchoring those civic duties deeply within a person’s heart and personal passion.
The right to vote is a matter of profound personal significance for Heard. When he first began learning about political figures implementing laws designed to make voting more difficult for marginalized populations, including individuals with disabilities, he described feeling "like a puppet," manipulated by forces beyond his control. However, getting involved with REV UP provided him with a platform and a community, allowing him to push back against systemic barriers and make a tangible difference. Through his artwork and his own lived experiences, Heard communicates a powerful message: when people with disabilities exercise their right to the ballot, their collective voice echoes around the world, making their community immeasurably stronger and more powerful.
That journey into political advocacy and entrepreneurship began with encouragement from Stacey Ramirez, a key figure with REV UP Georgia. Ramirez was the first person to recognize the raw potential in Heard’s artwork and encourage him to turn his creative passion into a business, while simultaneously channeling that art into the fight for voting rights.
Recalling how his enterprise began, Heard shares that he had struggled to find traditional employment that suited his interests and abilities. When he shared this frustration, Ramirez offered a transformative perspective, asking why he did not try creating his own path. Sensing the deep passion in his heart, she suggested that he launch his own business and follow his creative instincts. Because of Ramirez’s belief in his capabilities, Heard was able to establish his enterprise, which he named Derek’s Doodles. Today, his business allows him to share his work with a broad audience while actively contributing to the movement for an accessible democracy.
Ramirez’s faith in Heard did more than launch a small business; it transformed his art into a critical educational tool. His colorful, expressive illustrations are now utilized to help other individuals with disabilities navigate and understand the often complicated voting process. By infusing joy and lightness into political engagement, Heard’s artwork helps dismantle the heavy, bureaucratic barriers that frequently alienate voters. His creations foster vital representation, ensuring that people with disabilities feel seen, valued, and genuinely connected to the monumental work of shaping an inclusive democratic society.
Derek’s mother, Teresa Heard, offers a profound perspective on how the supportive environment of REV UP Georgia helped her son recognize his own worth as both an artist and a civic advocate. She notes that members of REV UP Georgia were the very first to view Derek’s artwork as a genuine professional asset rather than a mere hobby, becoming the first organization to officially commission and pay him for his graphics. Looking at where her son is today, she credits a large share of his success to the vision of Stacey Ramirez and REV UP Georgia. By looking past surface-level assumptions and seeing Derek as a complete individual, the organization provided a dedicated space for him to exercise his creativity and conduct civic work in a manner entirely unique to him. Inspired by this acceptance and empowerment, Derek Heard remains resolute, stating simply that he intends to work hard for his community until the end.
Derek’s Doodles now features prominently on the official REV UP Georgia website, where visitors are greeted by a distinctive body of work. Notably, much of Heard’s art for the coalition incorporates familiar imagery and themes drawn from classic fairy tales, such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood. Asked why he chose children’s stories as the conceptual framework for his civic art, Heard offers a straightforward and hopeful explanation: because fairy tales always lead to happy endings. This optimism permeates his depictions, whether it is a drawing of the three little bears with papa bear pointing intently at a highlighted election day on the calendar, or a bewildered wolf staring at a sign in the yard of the three little pigs announcing they have "gone to vote." Another piece features an iPad screen displaying a citizen with taped-mouth imagery urging viewers not to let their voices remain silent, encouraging them to get out and cast their ballots.
The scope of Heard’s artistic advocacy continues to widen. Building upon his illustrations and graphic design work, he is currently developing a new film project titled Doodling for Democracy. The movie encapsulates his core message, focusing on the concept of art as a tool for advocacy, the undeniable weight and importance of the disability voice, and the collective strength found within the ballot box.
Heard’s vision extends beyond individual projects to encompass the broader ecosystem of the disability rights movement. He holds a firm belief in the interconnectedness of various REV UP coalitions across the nation, a concept he visually captured in an expansive piece of art known as the "REV UP Galaxy." In this depiction of the solar system, different types of people from the community represent the sun and the planets. Heard places himself directly at the center as a self-portrait atop the sun, surrounded by fellow advocates and labeled with words like "Powered up," "Leader," "All people," "Artist," "Vote," and "Important."
Explaining the metaphor behind the galaxy, Heard describes himself as the solar system’s sun, upon which others depend to help make the planet a better place. By radiating warmth and support to all the surrounding planets, he feels a deep sense of purpose and self-worth. Consequently, he views it as his personal duty to do his absolute best to assist people, strengthen the REV UP movement, and support the decision-making efforts of fellow advocates everywhere.
Within Heard’s conceptual universe, every single person has a vital role to play in the machinery of democracy. Through his distinctive artwork and tireless grassroots organizing, he has left an indelible mark on communities near and far. As the REV UP movement looks back on its first decade of national impact, leaders like Derek Heard are already casting their gaze toward the future. Armed with his sketchbook, an unwavering commitment to equity, and a deeply held belief in the power of the ballot, Heard plans to keep creating, educating, and helping people make their voices heard.
