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Ray Hemachandra at Golden Moon Circles

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Author: Ray Hemachandra

Business, social-media, and marketing strategist. Publisher. Book and magazine writer. Blogger. Interviewer. Autism activist, speaker, and trainer. While my professional work has always involved creating — writing, editing, publishing — my best successes and satisfaction invariably come from partnership: partnering with colleagues while listening to customers and community; creating a holistic vision and plan; and then getting the job done. I’ve run businesses successfully and believe wholeheartedly that’s because I put people first: the people who work for me and the customers for whom we work. That’s the model for any meaningfully profitable business. That’s the why. My emphases, accordingly, include relationship-building, community, a basic commitment to excellence, and, always, the professional development and general well-being of my colleagues. I’ve worked at a newspaper (sports reporter, copy editor), a magazine (various editorial jobs ranging from book-review editor to, ultimately, editor in chief), and a book publisher (senior editor for three years, and then team lead and business manager for the founding three years of Lark Jewelry & Beading, which became Lark’s most profitable sub-imprint under my acquisitions, creative, business, and marketing planning and direction). I have also performed business consulting and then HR, social media, and marketing functions as part of the management team of an environmental consulting firm. I serve on the boards of businesses and numerous community organizations. I’m particularly active in the autism and special needs community, supporting people by volunteering, training, and serving on educational panels and even a human-rights committee. I authored a Publishers Weekly 2012 Best Book of the Year, along with a couple of dozen other well-reviewed books. I’m more pleased, though, by the far greater number of books I’ve gotten to publish and champion, and the authors, creatives, and publishing professionals I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with in that work. I have interviewed excellent mind/body/spirit and spiritual teachers — Eckhart Tolle, Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Sakyong Mipham, Thomas Moore, Judith Orloff, Doreen Virtue, David Zeller, R. Carlos Nakai, and Chan Khong among them — along with many musicians, artists, authors, and business leaders. I’ve done trainings and seminars, led panel discussions, and conducted interviews on stage at conferences and trade shows. My work and, I hope, my blog hold together by a consistent mission of supporting people in their lives — this informs my business strategy, my leadership approach, my writing, my personal explorations, and, at least in my honest intent, my life. I currently live in Asheville, North Carolina, with my remarkably sweet and heart-centric 16-year-old son. I invite you to connect with me at linkedin.com/in/rayhemachandra/ or facebook.com/RayHemachandra.
Nicholas Hemachandra on a mountaintop wearing a shirt that says, "If you can be anything, be inclusive."

Autistic Isolation, Connection, and Joy: Never Miss Dessert

Autistic adults, like adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities more generally, are not often seen as agents of love, joy, connection, relationship, and meaning for others. That’s because they’re not often seen at all.

autism, autism acceptance, autism acceptance month, autism adulthood, autism awaremess, world autism day

Poem: My Father’s Hands, in memoriam

A new poem: “My Father’s Hands, in memoriam”

father, fatherhood, poem, poems, poet, poetry

Working for Just Community: Now, Then, Always

Going through an old box yesterday, I came upon a yellowed, frayed 9.5-by-12-inch certificate issued in 1950 to my grandmother, … More

black history month, communication, discrimination, racial discrimination, social justice, social justice work

The Value of Disabled Lives and Organs

Why might an autistic, intellectually disabled Black boy with Down syndrome be so much more valuable in death than in life? Because his parents made him an organ donor.

autism, autism acceptance, disability, disability rights, down syndrome, intellectual disability

A Conversation Between My Mother and Me

My mother had 13 years from the time the youngest of her three sons—that would be me—went off to college … More

biography, connection, loneliness, memoir, personal story, story

An Announcement, a Benefit, and a Giveaway

I am pleased and genuinely honored to announce that I am joining the board of directors of the Center for … More

Autism Acceptance—an April Campaign, a Lifetime Choice

Autism is still largely an unknown, even among generally well-educated people. Autism awareness and education still matter a lot, and they are prerequisites for acceptance. Autism awareness and autism acceptance are both essential.

autism, autism acceptance, autism acceptance month, autism advocacy, autism awareness, world autism day

Intellectually Disabled Adults and COVID Vaccine Prioritization

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are at greater risk—three times greater than the general population—of COVID-19 complications and/or death. … More

COVID, intellectual disability, vaccination

Are Autistic and Intellectually Disabled People Worthwhile Community Members—or Aren’t They?

I have been reading the proposed changes to North Carolina’s Innovations waiver services and supports, which are designed for individuals … More

autism, community, disability, inclusion, intellectual disability
Photograph of lilies by Ray Hemachandra

Poem: Favorite Person

Favorite Person The excitement of hello vibrates and shines not with the promise of what’s to come but just for … More

poem, poems, poetry, writing

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My son Nicholas’ first margarita, with friends.
Flowers at the NC Arboretum
Apartment complex flower
Mountain Laurel bonsai today at the NC Arboretum
Azalea
Bonsai today at the North Carolina Arboretum
Roots
In the woods #selfie #hiking #nature #woods #forest #igers #green #instagood #photooftheday #instadaily #picoftheday #me #northcarolina
In Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
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