Ifunanya Nweke

Dr. Ifunanya Nweke is Founder & Executive Director of Jazz Hands For Autism (JHFA), a nationally recognized nonprofit at the intersection of music education, neurodiversity advocacy & workforce development. Over the last 12 years, she has grown JHFA from grassroots program to transformative organization serving 200+ students directly & 1,400+ through educator training, with partnerships spanning Netflix, Sony Music & LA County Department of Arts & Culture. Her USC doctoral research uncovered a powerful truth: 100% of parents sought additional services after witnessing their autistic child's first music performance. This finding, that belief determines access, & access determines outcomes, now drives the Jazz Hands Educator Training (JHET) Program, her 4-tier educator certification system scaling to train 700 music educators by 2027 and impact 45,000+ students by 2031. A sought-after speaker & thought leader, Dr. Nweke has presented at institutions.