Adiba Nelson is the author of Ain’t That A Mother; the memoir that Essence, Bustle, Ms. magazine and Shondaland all hailed as a “must read”, and subject of the Emmy winning documentary, The Full Nelson. She is also a disability rights activist, literary activist, Executive Producer and Creative Consultant on the tv series based on her memoir (currently in development), a freelance journalist, semi-retired burlesque performer, Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA Candidate in creative writing, and a very tired mom!
In 2013 she self-published her first children’s book Meet ClaraBelle Blue, having now sold over 7,000 copies. Meet ClaraBelle Blue is available in two languages and in 20 countries throughout the world. In 2017 Adiba delivered her TEDx talk (Skating Downhill: The Art of Claiming Your Life) to a sold out crowd, and has since joined the NPR affiliate Arizona Public Media as a regular contributor on Arizona Spotlight. Her children’s book, “Oshun & Me” (MacMillan/Feiwel & Friends) will be available January 2025 in two languages, the United States, Canada, and West Africa, and her next book, “Hazel’s Best Day!” highlighting Hazel Jones going to her first Disability Pride parade and all of the accessibility features she discovers in her community on the way there, will be available Summer of 2026.