All Special Olympics athletes want is to have the same chance to prove their worth. Just like their peers, in sports and in everyday life, the inclusion of employment opportunities. Two Special Olympics athletes earned the opportunity of a lifetime: to make the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony come to life.
It was because of the work done by Special Olympics athletes at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that once again there was representation showing at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony which celebrated the 40th year of the event, honoring the likes of Cyndi Lauper, OutKast and Cher in a star-studded event in Los Angeles. From the early days of planning, Melissa Stanley, of Common Cause Entertainment, knew she wanted a Special Olympics athlete to be part of her production team. “This is something I want to make an everyday occurrence,” she said about having inclusion integrated within her team. It wasn’t the first time she’d done it, but it was something she knew she wanted to keep doing.
Like so many people when they experience Special Olympics for the first time, Stanley felt a connection that would stay with her. One of her first events was the Special Olympics 50th anniversary celebration in Chicago in 2018.
“It’s been a journey since then,” she said. “I've gotten to be a part of many World Games with Special Olympics and been a part of helping them organize different events and helping with the athlete parade and Opening Ceremonies for several of the Games. I have a skill set in organizing and logistics, and that creative rundown of a show, and I try to bring my skills to work with Special Olympics, and I love it. I love it so much.”
That passion and belief in inclusion led Stanley to look to add Special Olympics athletes to the production team for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2024 and 2025.
Stanley’s work involves a lot of logistical planning when it comes to the performers and getting them where they need to be. It requires a lot of communication and multitasking from Special Olympics athletes Adam Gilmer and Logan Jones in order for the event to run as smoothly as possible with minimal setbacks.
Each team member, regardless of whether or not they have a disability, needed to work independently, be able to multitask and have strong communication skills.
But the biggest thing she said was key was the “sense of privacy.”
“In our talent department, we work directly with our performers and that's who's coming in. You're going to see them and so we couldn't take pictures, you can't ask for autographs, you must be professional.”
Gilmer had the chance to work as an escort for some of the performers back in 2024. He didn’t have any experience in the production space, but he says it’s an experience that “can’t be duplicated and it’s a special memory for me because it was the Osbournes.” Because someone was sick, the talent team had radioed Gilmer to come sit with Ozzy and his party until their name was called. And although he couldn’t be a fan and ask for autographs, he holds that moment close to his heart.
“Representation matters. Everyone should be included,” Stanley said. “I wish it wasn’t a question and it was something where everyone saw somebody that was similar to them in their field of work.”
Gilmer agreed with that statement and was enthusiastic about the mindset Stanley brought to working alongside Special Olympics athletes. “Melissa was great, she was so understanding,” Gilmer said about Stanley and their work relationship.
This mindset does not exist in every workplace. People with intellectual disabilities are less likely to be employed than their counterparts who do not have intellectual disabilities, with only 34 percent being employed, and 28 percent never having held a job.
“It's a great thing to do because it not only is good for the company, it's good for getting the word out about athletes and inclusion,” Gilmer said.
Stanley understands that regardless of what one’s ability is, each person can bring something beneficial to whatever project the production company is working on. And because of her deep-rooted love for Special Olympics and her professional relationships with the organization, there will always be representation shown on her team.
