Lamar Hardwick also known as “the autism pastor” is a pastor, cancer survivor, PhD student and award winning author focused on the intersection of disability, race, and religion. Hardwick was diagnosed with Autism at the age of thirty-six. He provides workshops and consults with businesses, churches, universities, and faith-based organizations on becoming more disability  inclusive. He is a graduate of Candler School of Theology at Emory University, the Clergy Scholar Program at Yale Divinity, and a 2017 graduate of Georgia Forward’s Young Game Changers program. He has authored four books including his most recent book, How Ableism Fuels Racism: Dismantling the Hierarchy of Bodies in the Church. (Brazos Press 2024)