Meet Malakai Strong: One of your neighbors defying life’s challenges to uplift others
In our latest Palm Springs Profiles, we introduce you to a Black, trans, disabled social work intern who has overcome the odds and now inspires others through resilience and advocacy.
Malakai Strong has always lived a life that defied the odds. Born five months early with cerebral palsy due to the umbilical cord being wrapped around his neck, the doctors told his mother he wouldn’t live past 24 hours. Now, at 35, he has not only proved them wrong – he has dedicated his life to serving others as a social worker and motivational speaker, giving a voice to those in a similar situation.
As a Black, trans, disabled man, Strong has never let anything be a limitation. Born and raised in Alabama, in 2015 he decided he wanted to set out to Nebraska to spend the summer with a friend.
“I left literally with the clothes on my back, my power wheelchair, and medical supplies,” says Strong.
Profiles is a series of features helping you get to know your neighbors who might not necessarily make the news. Read all our past Profiles here.
There, he learned to live independently and got his first apartment. Then, Medicaid in Nebraska started to fall apart. As a child, he had written in his journal that he wanted to live in California, so he came to Palm Springs.
When COVID-19 happened, he transitioned. Based on his journal entries during that time, he wrote a book about it called “Super Me: Becoming My Own Hero Through Change, Chaos and Choosing to Love Myself.”
Now, he is in the process of achieving his master’s degree in social work at Capella University, with plans to graduate in September 2025, inspired by his own life experience getting assistance.
“That really shaped what I wanted to do because I’ve been on the other side of social work, and I really just wanted to be a voice for those of us that don’t have one,” says Strong.
During the pandemic, he was introduced to public speaking when a former high school teacher connected him with someone on social media looking for a BIPOC voice within the LGBTQ+ community to speak to her psychology students. That experience led him to be a motivational speaker.
“It really just stuck,” says Strong. “I found a little bit of power in being able to share my authenticity and being my full self, just sharing my story and what those struggles were like to kind of navigate the system on my own.”
Strong has faced significant difficulties with accessible transportation in Palm Springs. Despite the area being very touristy and close to an airport, he says there are limited accessible options like accessible Ubers or the type of transportation services available in larger cities like Los Angeles.
He previously had an accessible van, but it is now 17 years old and in poor condition, leaving him without reliable transportation. His wheelchair also broke recently on the way to a speaking engagement, leaving him on bed rest until it gets fixed. He has started a GoFundMe to raise money to get a new van so he can attend his internship and public speaking engagements, and he is hopeful for the future.
“I’ve just never taken no for an answer,” he says. “I feel like there’s always a way to do something. It may not look like your typical way of doing something, but I always figure it out.”
Get to know him better below.
Name: Malakai Strong
Age 35
Occupation: MSW Student and Author/Speaker/Consultant
Where do you live and who lives with you? I currently live by myself in Palm Springs.
Where were you born and raised? Alabama
How long have you been in the desert? Four years.
What brought you here? A desire to live as myself and in an inclusive area.
What keeps you here? Honestly, I don’t know.
What’s your favorite time of year? Palm Springs Pride.
How do you beat the heat? I stay inside and read.
Do you have a personal philosophy you try to live by? Through chaos, change, and the courage to love myself, I’ve become my own hero—proving that resilience isn’t just surviving adversity, but thriving in spite of it.
What’s your favorite place to eat in Palm Springs? Native Foods.
Where would you take first-time visitors? I’ve never been but likely the Tram. I hear the view is nice.
What’s missing in Palm Springs? Wheelchair accessible rideshare options and more vegan options for food.
What’s your guilty pleasure? I love watching reality television.
What’s the biggest issue facing our community? One of the most pressing issues facing our community is homelessness, which impacts many vulnerable groups, including the LGBTQ+ community. We are known for being inclusive, but many LGBTQ+ individuals, especially transgender and disabled folks, face unique challenges with housing, healthcare access, and mental health support. There’s a growing need for accessible resources, from affordable housing to mental health care, that are tailored to their needs. Additionally, the lack of accessible transportation and infrastructure leaves disabled individuals feeling even more isolated. By addressing these issues holistically, with a focus on inclusion, we can ensure that all members of our community, regardless of their background or needs, have the support and access they deserve.
Where would you put your walk of fame star in the city? Probably somewhere near the Downtown Starbucks.
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