We’re looking forward to introducing you to Joaquin Rangel. Check out our conversation below.
Joaquin, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
After making the video of our first student that we sent to a Texas Longhorn football game, I couldn’t help but feel an immense amount of pride in how far we have come. In the first year of operation, the nonprofit lost a lot of money, and to be honest, I didn’t know if this was something I could continue to do. But I knew we were making a difference and decided to try one more year to see where things would go. When the year started, I didn’t think this was something we’d be able to do, but we were put in a position to make it happen. When I added the music to the video (shoutout to Dreamstereo for allowing us to use their music), I was overwhelmed with emotions and knew we were doing something good and making a positive difference.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Joaquin Rangel, founder of Joaquin in2 Inclusion, a nonprofit focused on creating a more inclusive Texas for people with disabilities. We help teachers build truly inclusive classrooms by providing training and therapeutic tools, and we guide parents through the challenges of navigating the education system.
What makes us unique is how community-driven we are. Our curriculum was built with parents, therapists, educators, and school specialists so it reflects real needs, not just theory. Beyond schools, we host events like our Rock in2 Inclusion concert, inclusive pickleball tournaments, and seasonal projects that support families with food, clothing, and even dental care.
Right now we’re expanding our Inclusive Learning Labs across Texas, aiming to reach one school each week. Every step we take is about making sure kids with disabilities—and their families—feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
In today’s world, a lot can break the bonds between people—most often differences in opinions or viewpoints. I believe education is the best way to restore those bonds.
Take a simple example from an elementary school: Johnny thinks his friend Susy stole his candy and gets upset with her. Later, he finds the candy in his own backpack and realizes he just put it in the wrong pocket. Their friendship is fine again because Johnny learned the truth.
It’s a small story, but it makes the point. When people have the chance to learn and choose to use that ability, understanding grows, and that’s what repairs broken connections.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
At the end of our first year, I was about ready to give up. I had spent thousands of my own money, felt burned out, and couldn’t see a light at the end to keep working toward. I was 28, watching friends buy houses, land amazing jobs, and live their dreams, while I wondered how I’d pay next month’s rent.
Still, I decided to give it one more year, and I’m glad I did. Walking away would have been easy, but making it work has been far more rewarding. Now we have announcements coming with globally known comedians and bands, we’re sending kids to Texas and Texas A&M football games, partnering with historic venues across the state, and helping parents of children with special needs know there’s help out there, and providing that help when they need it.
That first year was rough, but pushing through was worth every bit of the struggle.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Being able to do our Inclusive Learning Labs statewide, or being able to digitize them and make sure they are free for all educators to use. In Texas, educators have to earn mandatory CPE hours. Our Inclusive Learning Labs account for eight of those hours, and I firmly believe that this seminar should be free. The point of the Learning Labs is to guarantee that teachers can run the most inclusive classroom possible. Many teachers are juggling large class sizes and have kids with a variety of special needs. With these labs, we help them better navigate their classrooms and educate them on how to use different therapeutic tools in the classroom, such as sensory swings, body socks, fidget toys, and loop bands, to keep their classrooms running smoothly. Not only that, but we believe the implementation of our labs will drive down teacher burnout, increase student happiness, increase inclusion of children with special needs, and destigmatize what it means to have a disability.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I usually realize I’m out of my depth after I’ve already bitten off more than I can chew. But with the nature of a nonprofit, you have to figure it out and make it work, and we’ve been out of our depth a lot.
When we took on Season of Giving in Rockport, that was probably our biggest “in over our heads” moment. Season of Giving is when we work with another nonprofit in San Antonio to provide Thanksgiving meals and Christmas presents to children and teens in the community. Last year I thought it would be a great idea to expand it to Rockport. We made it happen, but I was beyond stressed the entire time as things came together.
No matter how many times it feels like there isn’t enough time or resources, I remind myself that the nonprofit has a mission, and at the end of the day we’re going to get it done.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ji2.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joaquin.in2.inclusion?igsh=MWdjZGk3YW43OTBvZw%3D%3D
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7323057185456803840
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555959762942&mibextid=ZbWKwL
