Matthew Schwab is a 28-year-old North Carolina native whose life is defined by passion, purpose, and progress. He and his fiancé share a home and are joyfully planning their wedding for September 2026, a milestone on Matthew’s journey toward independent living. He graduated from High School in June 2017 with an Occupational Course of Study diploma and in May 2019, he completed Project Search, an internship-based educational program, at Wake Technical Community College. His professional path is as dynamic as his personality—he’s an actor, a public speaker, and a dedicated host at Townhall Grill in Chapel Hill.
Matthew’s commitment to advocacy shines through his leadership roles. He serves on the Board of Directors for GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh, a Down Syndrome Achievement Center, and First in Families of NC, championing inclusion and empowerment for individuals with Down syndrome. Outside of work, Matthew enjoys spending time with family and friends, diving into books, movies, and TV shows. He and his fiancé share a love for Wii gaming and have been taking ballroom dance lessons together for five years. A passionate advocate for Down syndrome, Matthew delivered a TEDx talk in 2019 on the importance of inclusive employment. As a leader in the disability community, he continues to use his voice to challenge perceptions and inspire change, with a mission to reshape how the world sees Down syndrome—one conversation, performance, and interaction at a time.