- Areva Martin is one of the most sought-after autism experts in the nation.
From humble beginnings in America's heartland, Areva's passionate advocacy on behalf of those whose voices are marginalized propelled her to the top of her field, graduating with honors from the University of Chicago and Harvard Law School.
Relocating to Los Angeles, she founded a thriving legal practice specializing in ADA, Employment and Housing Disability Discrimination, Family Law, and School Law (bullying & harassment), among others.
But when Areva's son, Marty, was diagnosed with autism at 18 months, her profession became personal. Suddenly, this highly capable and accomplished woman's most important title was "mom fighting for her child."
Areva quickly tackled the complex web of diagnoses, misconceptions, and treatments with the same vigor she had marshaled in every one of her cases. She was fortunate. Her education and network enabled her to navigate the medical establishment and find the best treatment and resources for Marty.
Areva's eyes were now wide open and her heart even more so. She realized not all parents and guardians had her advantages and immediately did something about it - founding the Special Needs Network (SNN), a non-profit organization created specifically to help minorities and low-income families advocate for their autistic children. SNN has raised millions of dollars and provided for over 15,000 families in low income communities across California.
Areva has modestly accepted the numerous accolades that followed, lifting them up to shine a light on SNN and the families that struggle every day for their kids. Among other honors, she received Cookie Magazine's Smart Cookie Award for making the world a better place, Woman of the Year Award from LA County, Neighborhood Hero Award from Bank of America, Professional Excellence Award from the Association of University Women, and most recently, along with Gov. Jerry Brown, the 2011 California Legislative Black Caucus Civil Rights Leadership Award.
Areva is the author of the best-selling book The Everyday Advocate: Standing Up For Your Autistic Child (Penguin, April, 2010). The popular title will be available in paperback April 2011.
With regular appearances on The Dr. Phil Show and The Doctors, as well as stops at The CBS Early Show and Fox News, Areva's expertise has helped millions of caregivers, guardians, and parents find the strength and the voice to advocate for their children and loved ones.
Still, Areva remains humbled by her journey and looks to each new day with courage and a passion for discovery.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Ria Pavia and Steve Rohr - Known to audiences across the country from her regular appearances on The Dr. Phil Show, Anderson Cooper 360, Nancy Grace and Dr. Drew On Call, and various other national media outlets, Areva is a go-to on-camera expert, commentator and host. She is consistently sought out to weigh in on breaking news with an emphasis on compelling legal, political, women's and celebrity issues. Her unique ability to go to the heart of matters in a commanding, yet passionate, manner has gained her great popularity with the media and world-wise audiences.
Areva is also is a multi-award winning Harvard-trained attorney, author, autism activist and advocate who has been featured on the pages of publications ranging from Redbook, Parenting to Ebony for her advocacy on behalf of victims and the "underdog." Always empowering women and standing up for children, Areva is known to many as America's unequivocal Everyday Advocate, which happens to be the title of her second, best-selling book. Areva's mantra is "individuals who care can work miracles."
She has been recognized for her distinctive work on behalf of women and children with many national and state awards including the Los Angeles County Woman of the Year Award, L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth, KCET Local Hero Award, Farmers Insurance Living Legends Award and the California Legislative Black Caucus Civil Rights Leadership Award to name a few.
Areva is the founder and President of Special Needs Network, Inc., a Los Angeles based non-profit organization created specifically to raise awareness of issues that impact individuals with autism and related disabilities living in underserved and marginalized communities.
She has raised millions of dollars for autism and has positioned the organization as California's leading grassroots autism advocacy organization. Areva frequently advises national and local elected officials, philanthropists and nonprofit organizations on autism policies and advocacy.
The author of two books, Journey to the Top: 12 Steps to Take Control of Your Career and Your Life, a popular career guide for professional women and The Everyday Advocate: Standing Up for Your Child with Autism and Other Special Needs (Penguin 2010), a regularly used reference book for parents and professionals, Areva frequently writes blog entries for Huffington Post and other online and print outlets.
Areva graduated with honors from Harvard Law School and the University of Chicago and is the founding and managing partner at Martin & Martin, LLP, one of Los Angeles' largest, female and African American-owned law firms. Areva is consistently identified as one of LA's top attorneys including being selected to the Southern California's 2014 Super Lawyers list, a distinction reserved for the top five percent of the attorneys in the state.
Areva lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children. A lover of all things social media, she is a runner with a passion for half marathons.- IMDb Mini Biography By: JW - Known to audiences across the country from her regular appearances on The Dr. Phil Show, the Doctors, Anderson Cooper 360, Nancy Grace, Good Morning America and various other daytime talk shows and cable news shows including CNN, MSNBC, HLN and Al Jazeera. Areva is a TV host, author and go-to on-camera expert and commentator. She is consistently sought out to weigh in on breaking news with an emphasis on compelling legal, political, women's and celebrity issues. Her unique ability to go to the heart of matters in a commanding, yet passionate, manner has gained her great popularity with the media and world-wide audiences.
Areva is also is a multi-award winning Harvard-trained attorney and advocate who has been featured on the pages of publications ranging from the Redbook, Parenting to Ebony for her advocacy on behalf of victims and the "underdog." Throughout her career, Areva has been a strong advocate in promoting diversity, inclusion and equity. She has been recognized for her distinctive work on behalf of women and children with many national and state awards including the Los Angeles County Woman of the Year Award,L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth, KCET Local Hero Award, Ford Foundation Unsung Hero, Farmers Insurance Living Legends Award and the California Legislative Black Caucus Civil Rights Leadership Award to name a few.
Areva is the founder and President of Special Needs Network, Inc., a Los Angeles based non-profit organization created specifically to raise awareness of issues that impact individuals with autism and related disabilities living in underserved and marginalized communities. She has raised millions of dollars for autism and is leading the organization on a campaign to build the state's first-ever autism medical health home for kids as a part of the historic Martin Luther King Hospital health campus.
Areva is the author of two books, Journey to the Top, a popular career guide for professional women and The Everyday Advocate: Standing Up for Your Child with Autism and Other Special Needs (Penguin 2010), a regularly used reference book for parents and professionals.
Areva graduated with honors from Harvard Law School and the University of Chicago and is the founding and managing partner at Martin & Martin, LLP, one of LA's premiere female and African American law firms. Areva has been consistently identified as one of LA's top attorneys including being selected as a Southern California Super Lawyer for 2014 and 2015, a distinction reserved for the top five percent of the attorneys in the state.
Areva lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children. A lover of all things social media, she is a runner with a passion for half marathons.- IMDb Mini Biography By: JW
- Spouse?(? - present) (3 children)
- Attorney and child advocate.
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