Russell has over fifteen years of experience as a disability rights activist and organizer. Born with cerebral palsy in Texas, Russell relocated to Sacramento, California in 2001, where he experienced a transformational connection to the Independent Living Movement. Russell served for seven years as President of DOGFITE (Disability Organizing Group For Initiating Total Equality), and most recently, as the Statewide Community Organizer at California Foundation for Independent Living (CFILC), facilitating the DOnetwork (Disability Organizing Network) — a statewide network of systems change advocates and organizers connected through California’s 28 Independent Living Centers. Additionally, Russell has organized with the Disability Action Coalition, including co-organizing the first Disability and Aging Capitol Action Day, which brought over 800 participants to Sacramento for a day of legislative advocacy with the disability and older adult communities.
Russell enjoys karaoke, performing improv comedy, tinkering with electronic music, pretending to be an amateur musician, and traveling.
