Steven McCoy: Making Headway As The First Black DeafBlind Journalist 

Steven McCoy has prepared himself for what’s ahead, with the spark of journalism at heart and with the mindset to change the world, platforming one powerful voice at a time.

As a native of Newark, he grew up with a fascination for storytelling, which he told New Jersey Urban News, was that words became a vessel of visibility for him growing up in a space where he felt challenged.

“It just made me more of a confident person in speaking when I felt at times I just wanted to be invisible,” said McCoy. “But it was something about trying to change my voice that felt like it was a lot of power being taken away.”

In his early childhood, he began wearing hearing aids in both ears at the age of five, unsure of what the root cause of his hearing loss might be. His parents took him to the doctor, where he was diagnosed with mild ear infections, but McCoy felt something much more intimate. 

It was not until 2019, that things became clearer to McCoy after he was diagnosed with Usher Syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting both hearing and vision. 

“It definitely brought more clarity to me of what was going on, what would happen, and how I would prepare for my life,” he said.

Entering his adult years, he became conscious of his spatial awareness, especially while hanging out with friends. He often experienced moments where he would miss a step of the stairs, episodes he later connected with his diagnoses.

McCoy’s trajectory from battling Usher syndrome to becoming an advocate, podcaster, and nonprofit leader speaks to a philosophy grounded in public service, amplifying underrepresented voices, challenging inaccessibility, and building a future where all abilities are truly empowered. 

He is now an award-winning journalist and groundbreaking storyteller who continues to push the boundaries of media and representation. In 2022, he made history as the world’s first Black DeafBlind journalist. He said being a journalist helped him focus on being a storyteller; rather than feeling defeated, he made a learning experience out of it in finding his voice.

“I felt that writing was my most comforting talent and it was a journey of finding myself,” he said.

McCoy got things into motion by launching Spoken Heroes, a nonprofit devoted to bridging the professional divide between disabled and able-bodied individuals through technology, advocacy training, and workforce development. 

The age group of students he works with spans from 16 through 28, coming from Essex, Middlesex, and Hudson County, among others, throughout the State of New Jersey.

“Before the Spoken Heroes Micro-internship, I often struggled to find the courage to speak up, to believe that my voice mattered, but this program changed that,” said Willman Orival, who is currently studying biomedical engineering at Essex County College. “It gave me confidence, clarity, and a deeper sense of purpose. I learned that my story has power.”

“That is my biggest fulfillment,” McCoy said about seeing students walk out of the program feeling empowered to speak, rather than caving in. “I am just a voice, motivating others to use their voice. We [in the disabled community] do not have the same lives, but we share similar experiences.”

McCoy also serves in leadership positions on multiple boards, including the Usher Syndrome Coalition, Foundation Fighting Blindness, and the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey. In 2022, AT&T named him a “Black Future Maker,” and he holds awards from the National Association of Black Journalists, the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association, and others.

His work has garnered considerable recognition, most recently the Spangenberg‑Chappell Memorial Award from RespectAbility at the 2024 Disability Impact Awards. The honor cited his “meaningful contributions to the disability community at large.”

Inspired by his own challenges navigating accessibility in journalism, McCoy also co-founded Spoken Entertainment to produce his podcast and other media work. Fueled by a passion for the arts, McCoy has reported from high-profile red‑carpet events, combining coverage with his unique lens as a DeafBlind journalist. 

He hosts the podcast “Sessions with Steven”—a platform where media and public figures speak candidly about their journeys, offering listeners expanded insight through McCoy’s thoughtful interviews.

“You have to become a student of life, those are where the real lived experiences are at!” said McCoy. “If the day is new, so am I.”