Our Story
After years of working in workforce development with individuals with disabilities, our team has heard many questions—but one has always stood out: “What’s out there for us?”
It’s a powerful question. And it wasn’t just about services or support—it was about identity. What we heard, time and again, from parents and participants was that they felt unseen and misunderstood in the very systems meant to support them. We heard this question for years. And for years, we searched for a space that offered the answer. Eventually, we came to a difficult truth: that space didn’t exist. So, we stopped searching—and started building. We committed to becoming the answer ourselves.
The Connect Café is more than a resource. It’s personal. It’s intentional. And it’s long overdue.
Our Purpose
The Connect Café was created to support and address the needs of youth and families with overlapping barriers of race and disability, experiencing the critical gaps in education, workforce, and community. We aim to address inequities faced by individuals who are often overlooked- particularly those experiencing the overlapping impact of racial injustice and disabling barriers. We support youth whose unique ways of experiencing the world may not align with conventional expectations-those who too often feel like they don’t belong.
Offering a menu of service, that focus on three key pillars, connection, community, contribution, we offer services for the individual and their families.
Connection
At Connect Café, we believe connection can change lives. Connect Café is rooted in the belief that strong communities are built when people feel welcomed, valued, and included. Through awareness and meaningful collaborations, we are bridging resources, supports, and diverse experiences.
Community
A space where everyone has a place.
We’re building a community that creates spaces for authenticity, belonging, and growth. We create a supportive environment where individuals can gather, grow, and participate in a community that recognizes the value and potential of every person.
Contribution
Through contribution our organization intentionally invests time, connects resources, expands skills, to create meaningful opportunities for growth. We’re fostering a shared commitment to removing barriers, expanding access, and uplifting the abilities and aspirations of individuals and families where they learn, work, connect, and thrive.
Dr. Cherrelle Singleton
Executive Director
Dr. Cherrelle Singleton, Executive Director of The Connect Café, brings extensive experience supporting individuals with disabilities and those navigating disabling barriers. With a professional foundation in vocational rehabilitation counseling, Dr. Singleton specializes in supporting youth and adults as they navigate the transition from education to employment and greater independence. Her work includes innovative training, skill-building, advocacy, and employment-readiness services designed to help individuals build confidence, develop practical skills, and pursue meaningful vocational pathways. Grounded in a person-first philosophy, Dr. Singleton recognizes the importance of understanding each individual’s identity, strengths, goals, and needs while creating opportunities for greater self-determination and community inclusion.
Dr. Singleton’s work is also informed by her research and commitment to understanding how disability is experienced across race, culture, and community. Through her professional and community work, she has helped individuals navigate barriers, access meaningful employment opportunities, and build pathways toward greater independence and belonging. Dr. Singleton is also the author of GPS: Get Prepared to Succeed, a resource focused on equipping youth with the knowledge, skills, and preparation needed to navigate their path toward success. At The Connect Café, Dr. Singleton leads with intention, striving to close gaps, connect community, and create pathways that allow every individual to thrive.
Talitha Heard
Co-Founder/ Detroit Area Lead
Talitha Heard is a dedicated advocate committed to empowering individuals who face educational, physical, and emotional barriers, with a strong focus on supporting people with disabilities.
With years of experience serving inner-city youth, Talitha has guided young people through critical life transitions, providing the tools, structure, and encouragement they need to become confident and successful adults. Her work centers on helping youth stay grounded in their educational goals while equipping them with strategies to navigate the challenges that often threaten to derail their progress.
As an experienced Vocational Rehabilitation professional, Talitha promotes independent living and connects individuals to the resources necessary to overcome the societal and systemic barriers that people with disabilities frequently encounter on their path to employment. Her approach is rooted in compassion, advocacy, and the belief that meaningful change is built through collective support.
Talitha is passionate about her work and firmly believes that it takes a village to create sustainable transformation. She is thrilled to bring her expertise, heart, and philosophy to The Connect Café as part of a community committed to inclusion, growth, and opportunity.
