We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zibora Gilder a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Zibora, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Our mission at Empowered Hands is deeply personal and rooted in a commitment to ensuring everyone, regardless of their abilities or background, has access to opportunities and resources to lead fulfilling, self-directed lives. The inspiration comes from my Deaf brother’s journey, witnessing how systemic barriers and pervasive audism affected his identity and opportunities. I founded Empowered Hands to bridge these gaps by providing advocacy, training, and support, particularly for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals of color.

As we’ve grown, our work has expanded into advocacy on a macro level, where we engage individuals with disabilities in the democratic process, driving change from the top down by focusing on policy influence and community organizing. This shift empowers the disabled community to have a stronger voice in shaping policies that impact their lives and creates meaningful, structural changes. Every success moves us closer to a world where my brother—and all individuals like him—can thrive without constantly pushing against barriers, embodying our vision of true inclusivity and empowerment.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Zibora Gilder, and I’m the founder of Empowered Hands, a mission-driven organization dedicated to supporting the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, especially young people of color. My journey into this work began through a deeply personal connection—my brother is Deaf, and growing up, I witnessed the unique challenges he faced navigating a world that wasn’t built with him in mind. These experiences sparked my lifelong passion for Deaf advocacy and inspired me to create Empowered Hands as a resource for individuals who, like my brother, deserve the support, tools, and opportunities to thrive.

Empowered Hands provides a range of services designed to address these needs. We offer career and life coaching, employment readiness training, and diversity and inclusion consulting. For those with disabilities, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, we focus on person-centered employment services that are not only accessible but also aligned with each individual’s unique strengths and aspirations. Additionally, we offer interpreting services, support for non-profits, and specialized training for those involved in substance use treatment and other critical services.

In recent years, we have expanded into advocacy on a macro level, engaging individuals with disabilities in the democratic process and advocating for policies that reflect their needs and voices. This involves everything from community organizing to building a framework for policy change, making sure the disabled community’s concerns are heard in larger conversations.

What sets Empowered Hands apart is our unwavering commitment to genuine inclusion and empowerment. We don’t just provide services—we listen, we advocate, and we amplify voices. I’m proud of the real impact we’ve seen in helping clients not only secure employment but also find confidence and identity within themselves, often in spaces that once felt inaccessible or intimidating.

For anyone considering our services, I want them to know that we’re not just here to solve short-term issues; we’re here to create long-lasting pathways to independence, resilience, and self-assurance. Empowered Hands stands for a future where every individual, no matter their background or ability, has the resources and respect they need to succeed. That’s the vision that drives everything we do, and it’s the vision I’m most proud to stand behind.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

Running a mission-driven business like Empowered Hands has been a journey full of challenges, close calls, and moments of resilience. Like many who start without much financial support, I’ve faced my share of financial hurdles, from scrambling to make payroll to worrying about taxes. The advocacy side of our work, which is often underfunded, has meant doing a lot of essential work without compensation, even as I tried to sustain the employment services that keep our doors open.

Sticking to our core values has been crucial. From the beginning, I believed in providing quality services, trusting that the financial stability would follow. I knew I wanted to stay focused on our mission, so instead of expanding into unrelated areas, I sought ways to diversify within our field. Adding interpreting services was one way to increase income, but I kept it targeted, providing these services mainly to nonprofits and remaining committed to the values that set Empowered Hands apart.

Natural disasters, like Hurricane Harvey, brought additional hardships, pushing us to find creative ways to support our community while managing our own recovery. These experiences taught me that resilience is key—not only in weathering storms but also in staying committed to our core mission. It hasn’t always been easy, and there have been many moments when I worried if we would make it through. But I’ve learned that staying true to what we do best, adapting within our scope, and diversifying our services in ways that align with our mission have been vital for our survival and growth.

Today, I’m proud that Empowered Hands is still here, and it’s thanks to that resilience and focus. For me, it’s about knowing that every struggle reinforces our commitment to our community and strengthens our ability to provide the support they deserve.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Pivoting has become a central theme in my life, both personally and professionally. I grew up in Texas, and for a long time, I believed that was where I would build my life and career. But a few years ago, I felt a calling to move to Washington, D.C., a place known for its influence in social change and policy. That move shifted everything for me.

This transition inspired me to pursue my studies in Social Work at Howard University. At Howard, I began to see the connection between my work and the larger political and social landscape, which deepened my understanding of how policy impacts the lives of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. This experience broadened my focus, helping me see that real change requires advocacy on both the micro and macro levels.

Professionally, it meant that Empowered Hands would now play a role not only in providing direct services but also in advocating for systemic change. My work has evolved to include a more politically focused approach, one that involves advocating for policies that ensure equal opportunities, accessible resources, and the dignity of choice for people with disabilities. This pivot has been transformative, allowing me to expand my vision for Empowered Hands and pursue a mission that goes beyond immediate service delivery to drive long-term change.

While I never planned for this path, the pivot to D.C. and my time at Howard have given me a deeper purpose. It’s been a journey of listening to where I feel called to serve, and adapting my skills and focus to better meet the needs of the communities I’m dedicated to. This shift has enriched my work and broadened my impact, and I am grateful every day for the journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/EmpoweredHands
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowered_hands
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17pUQ8mdRF/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zibora-gilder-0034b441?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredhandsllc5182?si=hUayjnTwn8JRdeLz
• Other: https://youtube.com/@ziboragilder8401?si=Ycr_cqtTNKKTkD23

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