ONLINE GROUPS
Black Autistic
Meetup
This is a group for Black Autistic folks to meet and connect with others. It is a space for belonging, representation, support and hope.
when
Once a month on a Wednesday, 6.30-8.00pm
where
Hosted on Zoom
Cost
Free
what happens in a session?
Introductions and exploring shared principles of the group
Short exercises to stimulate conversation, participants taking turns to contribute on a chosen theme
Open discussion on a monthly theme – the theme could guide our discussion, or we may simply use it as a starting point to start conversations. All input is valid.
Sharing helpful or interesting resources
Close of session with key takeaways and reflection
who is welcome?
Black Autistic Meetup is open to people age 18+ who are Black and Autistic (diagnosed or self-diagnosed).
meet your host
Ruby Osunsola
NdC Associate (she/her)
Ruby Osunsola is a Neurodivergent Mother, researcher, and community practitioner with over a decade of experience across health, wellbeing, and social justice. She holds a degree in Criminology and Sociology and is the Operations Manager of a Black-led VCSE mental health charity in the South West of England. As an Associate and Facilitator with Neurodiverse Connection, Ruby leads the Black Autistic Meetup, hosting an affirming and culturally safe space for connection, reflection, and community.
Her work is grounded in both lived and professional experience, with a focus on intersectionality, racial equity, and neurodivergence. She also works as a Neurodivergent Birth (NDBirth) Training Practitioner, supporting more inclusive and trauma-informed approaches to pregnancy and perinatal care, working across health and social care systems.
Ruby is passionate about amplifying the voices and experiences of Black and racially minoritised Neurodivergent people, and ensuring services and spaces are shaped by those they are intended to support. She loves being a parent, listening to music (Olivia Dean especially), colour-coordinating her book collection, crafting and watching re-runs of Law and Order SVU.
We also wish to recognise the contribution of Warda Farah in establishing the original Black Autistic Meet-up Group as part of their work with Neurodiverse Connection.
Expectations
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Come with an open mind and respect others' views.
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Respond to others with respect and compassion.
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Hate speech, disruption, aggression, or intimidation of any kind will not be tolerated, whether verbally or in the chat, and will result in removal from the meeting and may result in a ban from future meetups.
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Please do not offer unsolicited advice (giving feedback, advice or your opinion in response to what another attendee has shared when it is not asked for, even if it is positive).
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Always observe confidentiality. Any personal information shared during the session must stay in the session. The only exception is if something raises concerns for someone’s safety. In that case, the facilitator will privately connect with the person and offer help to access appropriate support.
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Take responsibility for yourself, including how and what you share, and your well-being during the sessions.
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If you need support and feel comfortable to do so ask within the group or ask the facilitator. If this isn’t helpful or appropriate then seek external assistance from your GP, and/or local health and social care services or support groups.
Disclaimer
To support safety and wellbeing of attendees we reserve the right to remove any participant who violates the group expectations.
Book your place
PLEASE Note:
If the ‘book’ button for a specific session is greyed-out, this means that the session is fully booked. You are welcome to book onto a future session that has spaces available.
Black Autistic content from our blog
In this research roundup, Ann Memmott highlights, amongst others, new studies on Rejection-Sensitivity Dysphoria, masking, ABA and conflict of interest, terminology, use of social media, ethnically and racially minoritized Autistic and ADHD adults and retirement.