Edward Mitchell was a victim of a hit-and-run bicycle accident in 2003, struck by a vehicle and thrown into a ditch, where he was found by his younger brother. As a result of the accident, Edward has quadriplegia with an incomplete spinal cord injury at the C5 and C6 levels.
Mitchell crossed into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. by way of the Beta Pi chapter of Lane College, a private HBCU, in 2008. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in 2009 and his master’s in business administration in 2011 from Union University.
He works as the interim executive director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Tennessee while serving on numerous boards, including United Spinal Association’s Tech Access initiative.
In 2018, Mitchell was selected as an inaugural ABLE Advisor for the Able National Resource Center. ABLE Accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. In the summer of 2018, he was selected by Tennessee legislators to testify before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. Currently, he is serving a three-year term on the Statewide Council on Developmental Disabilities following an appointment by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee.
Mitchell was inducted into the Lane College Hall of Distinction as a recipient of the Young Alumni Achievement Award and was honored to accept the Jefferson Multiplying Good Award from Leaders Credit Union for advocacy for individuals with disabilities, locally and nationally.
In 2023, Money published its inaugural list of Changemakers, the 50 people impacting Americans’ wallets. Mitchell was recognized for his advocacy to increase the age of ABLE eligibility. The ABLE Age Adjustment Act will go into effect January 1, 2026.
Learn more about the National Advisory Board or the Statewide Independent Living Council of Tennessee.
