We recently connected with Layla Luna and have shared our conversation below.
Layla, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I found purpose for Just Bee through my son Rio. Rio is a 15-year-old nonverbal with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He’s the driving force for me to create a world with a deeper understanding for compassion, tolerance, and acceptance. Autism has no facial recognition. There’s no look to Autism so people often think he’s just a bad kid with behavioral problems and I’m a terrible Mother. Because so many are unaware, they would never consider he has Autism. This is the narrative Just Bee’s Mission is here to change.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As the mother of a non-verbal Autistic child, I know firsthand the daily challenges a family affected by Autism encounters. Through the many challenges I faced after my son was diagnosed, I took a stand to become a strong voice for the Autistic and Neurodiverse communities by founding Just Bee.
I am no stranger to the public eye. I started my career as an Olympic-trained state champion gymnast but transitioned into the world of dance after an injury. I went on to become a professional Middle Eastern artist, award-winning choreographer, the owner of Layla Dance Academy, and the director of The Lotus Dancers for 23 years. At my dance academy in Los Angeles, I also created a program called Dance From Your Heart, which provides classes for special needs children. In the program, students can dream, believe, and freely express themselves through movement and dance in a positive environment. I have performed all over the world and had a TV show based out of Dubai that reached a hundred million viewers worldwide.
Early in its founding, Just Bee received the George P. Mitchell grant, was nominated for many other grants, and organized many fundraisers for Autism Awareness.
In 2021, I moved to the Lowcountry of South Carolina and brought my mission with me. In 2023, I made Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, the first Autism-Friendly town in the Lowcountry and was instrumental in helping them win the All-American City Award. I also received the Jefferson Multiplying Good Award. Through education, awareness, and advocacy, I’ve worked to connect families with their local community by raising awareness, creating partnerships, and providing training resources for local governments and businesses to become sensory-friendly – encouraging positive experiences and opportunities for those with Autism. I’m also working with SC Representatives Kathy Landing and Mark Smith to create new legislation that provides needed safety elements for the Autistic and Neurodiverse communities. This will include adding the Just Bee logo to licenses and license plates for quick identification, and creating an identification database for police and first responders.
I’ve written 𝑅𝑖𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑒𝑒, a soon-to-be-published illustrated children’s book about Autism. I hope this book will empower children to both understand and be friends with children with Autism. Just Bee is my grassroots movement focused on being the voice for my son Rio and millions of others like him.
I guess I’m a mother, activist, spokesperson, and role model. A person who will not stop until my son and other Autistic children have the same opportunities and quality of life as every other child.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My best advice is to “Honor The Process.” To find solace in knowing that everything happens for a reason. To trust that G-D has a plan and it’s not up to you to know when or how. Be part of the process and from there you will achieve your greatest accomplishments. This is a hard lesson to learn in a society that is so time driven but in order to create a true impact you have to be willing to be patient and trust in this process. Ultimately remove the Ego.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
My main area of growth this past year is what I’ve learned through the achievements of Just Bee. Knowing how important the Just Bee mission is to the families in the Autistic and Neurodiverse community drives me to always strive for more opportunities and welcoming spaces for these families.
Just Bee’s mission achievements:
- Making the Town of Mount Pleasant the First Certified Autism-Friendly Town in the Lowcountry. This was a monumental achievement for the Autistic & Neurodivergent Community and an eye-opening experience for Just Bee.
- The creation of the Bee Hive, the first mobile sensory station, which offers families the opportunity to be part of the community and participate in local events. If someone is feeling stimulated or having a sensory overload, they can go into the Bee Hive, reset, and not feel judged or leave the event.
- Developed the Just Bee App, like the Yelp of Autism. Our app gives families a way to navigate throughout their community. Businesses on the app have taken Just Bee’s proprietary training curriculum and have taken a Pledge to be safe zones for families. They can offer sensory-friendly hours, discounts, or events. In doing so, families with individuals that are on the Spectrum will feel included and respected when out in public.
This has all been achieved in a year from simply being a “Mother On A Mission.“
Contact Info:
- Website: www.justbeethechange.com
- Instagram: justbeethechange
- Facebook: justbeethechange
- Linkedin: justbeethechange
- Twitter: _Just_Bee
- Youtube: @Laylaluna7321
Image Credits
Images by Towne Center
