74 DIVERSEability Magazine www.diverseabilitymagazine.com
or need different tools, she said. More people are feeling like they have the ability to share their barriers with less fear of discrimination, too. We still have a long way to go, but we live in a world where we benefit immensely from diverse communities. As for employers recruiting and retaining employees with disabilities, Harvey said it starts at the top. Having CEOs and executives who see the value of implementing a diverse hiring practice is important. There are a lot of incredible people who have so much to give, but there is a very real fear of discrimination. Harvey, who was born in Ohio before moving to St. Cloud, Fla., then Colorado, suffered hearing problems as a child and underwent several surgeries to try to correct them. She sang throughout her childhood, and her talent was recognized at Longmont High School, from which she graduated in 2006. She gradually lost her hearing as a result of the connective tissues disorder Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. While majoring in vocal music education at Colorado State University, she became totally deaf and left the university. It wasnt looking good, and she was feeling low. But with the aid of visual tuners, she learned how to find the correct pitches when singing. In 2008, she met jazz pianist Mark Sloniker at Jay's Bistro in Fort Collins, Colo., where she began performing regularly. She later performed at Dazzle Jazz Lounge in Denver and recorded three studio jazz albums: Smile, After You've Gone and All of Me. She also released Nice To Meet You before this years Paper Cuts. Jazz Times described her singing as rich and captivating. In 2011, Harvey won VSAs International Young Soloist Award, and she performed at the Kennedy Center. In 2017, Harvey - who likes to bake bread, rollerblade and do CrossFit in her private time - appeared on season 12 of America's Got Talent, where judge Simon Cowell was visibly blown away when she performed an original song using a ukulele. She finished fourth. The same year as her America's Got Talent appearance, she published a memoir with co- author Mark Atteberry titled, Sensing the Rhythm: Finding My Voice in a World Without Sound. Harvey is an ambassador for the nonprofit organization No Barriers, which helps disabled people overcome obstacles. Asked whats in the works for the future, the star said, My goodness! There are so many things
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COURTESY OF MANDY HARVEY
Lily (L), as part of Voya Financial's Invest in Something Special campaign aimed to help Special Olympics athletes achieve their goals beyond sport, got a surprise visit from her hero, Mandy Harvey.
COURTESY OF ABC DENVER 7 NOAM GALAI
Voya Financial teamed up with Mandy Harvey (center) at the No Barriers USA hike.
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