Deidre Price, founder of Jayce’s Journey Inc., hosted her annual Sneaker Ball at Pinstripes in Topanga with a powerful message that blended advocacy, emotion, and celebration.
The event, held in honor of Autism Awareness Month, raised funds and awareness for families impacted by autism — and also became a moment of reflection following recent controversial remarks from Kanye West.
In an exclusive with The Neighborhood Talk, Deidre addressed how hard this year has been for many families, especially amid budget cuts to special education programs.
“It’s been a rough year,” she said. “But we keep going because families need us, and our children deserve visibility, support, and joy.”
That joy was evident at the Sneaker Ball, where families dined together, listened to heartfelt speakers share personal journeys, and bowled side by side to keep the celebration alive. Attendees stated that neurodivergent individuals are talented and intelligent, with Deidre sharing a powerful reminder:
“They have powers and abilities that us neurotypical people could never.”
But the night also had a serious tone.
On the sidelines of the event, Priece was asked what she thought about Kanye West’s now-deleted tweet questioning the mental capacity of Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s 7-year-old twins, Deidre didn’t hold back.
“That’s the reason why a lot of people with platforms don’t feel comfortable talking about their child having special needs,” she said. “Even when I was coming out about Jayce, I was terrified… I wouldn’t know how to take it if someone said something like that about my child.”
The rapper has since issued a public apology to Jay-Z, writing on X, formerly Twitter, “I’m sorry Jay Z… I be feeling bad about my tweet.” But for advocates like Deidre, the damage goes beyond a single post.
“It’s heartbreaking,” she said. “I hope it’s a teachable moment… We need to embrace differences, not tear them down.”
Through Jayce’s Journey Inc., Price continues to host inclusive, empowering events for families navigating autism. She encourages the public to donate and support their efforts, especially as education funding becomes increasingly uncertain.
“Let’s show these families that their strength does not go unnoticed,” she added.
To donate or learn more, visit @JaycesJourneyInc on Instagram.
