Watch our Presenters
Dr. Laurene Simms
Executive Committee & Presenter
Dr. Laurene Simms
Executive Committee & Presenter
Laurene E. Simms is Chief Bilingual Officer at Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. After graduating from the Indiana School for the Deaf, Indianapolis, Indiana, she received a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and an M.Ed. in Deaf Education from Western Maryland College, Westminster, Maryland. She received a Ph.D. Degree in Language, Reading, and Culture from the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. She has been a Professor in the Department of Education at Gallaudet University for twenty years.
Claudia Giordano
Executive Committee & Presenter
Claudia Giordano
Executive Committee & Presenter
A Biracial Deaf Woman with five years of experience as a National Deaf Education Conference coordinator and deaf educator. She is currently employed as an Associate Family Resources Coordinator for the Family Resources program at HSLC, which is part of Gallaudet University. She has a Master’s degree in Early Language Advocacy. Claudia grew up in a hearing family and had the privilege of communication access at home. She wants to ensure that all deaf children either from Deaf or Hearing families have the same privilege.
DeAnna Swope
Presenter
DeAnna Swope
Presenter
DeAnna Swope is a community advocate at heart and has been involved in different fields to advocate for the Deaf community. DeAnna considers herself as Jill of all trades. She has been working in substance abuse, mental health, and domestic violence. She has been involved on several boards and is a show host of her show Be Bold Be Heard. She works closely with Nicolyn on Black Deaf Trauma research. DeAnna is a happily married mother of five.
Corey Burton
Presenter
Corey Burton
Presenter
Corey Burton discovered his identity as a Black Deaf person through the Collegiate Black Deaf Student Leadership Institute (CBDSLI) Program at the National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA) 2009 Conference. This experience inspired him to become a role at NBDA, where he has been the Director of the Youth Empowerment Summit since 2011. Corey holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology, with concentrations in Organization Leadership and Change, Quality Management, and Communication. He has over ten years of experience in his professional Customer Experience career.
Dominic Harrison
Presenter
Dominic Harrison
Presenter
Dominic Harrison, M.Ed., is a Deaf Black doctorate candidate from the department of Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies under the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. He is a secondary social studies teacher at New Mexico School for the Deaf. His research interests are critical race theory, intersectionality, dis/ability critical race theory, and multicultural teaching and learning strategies in the secondary classroom. He loves to travel the world to try new food and learn various cultures and sign languages.
Dora Tin
Presenter
Dora Tin
Presenter
Dora is a Chinese Deaf woman with extensive experience in mental health, working with deaf and hard of hearing individuals from diverse backgrounds. She has started organizations such as the National Asian Pacific Islander Deaf Coalition and runs the Deaf Journey and Mental Health platform. Dora works as a mental health therapist at the National Deaf Therapy and Deaf Wellness Center and holds a master's degree in social work from Gallaudet University. She is licensed as a clinical social worker in three states.
Franly Ulerio-Nunez
Presenter
Franly Ulerio-Nunez
Presenter
I'm Afro-Latino, a biochemist, and an activist. My cultural leadership in the Latinx organization at the university. My cultural awareness education was cultivated with the support of my multi-intersectional groups throughout a series of small discussions. I am trained in Mental Health First Aid for Adults.
Fred Beam
Presenter
Fred Beam
Presenter
Fred Michael Beam is the outreach coordinator for Rochester Institute of Technology/ National Technical Institute for the Deaf, theater troupe , Sunshine 2.0. He is an experienced actors for numerous productions. He is also an internationally acclaimed dancer, storyteller, comedian, ASL Director/consultant,artistic director and choreographer. He was also Executive Director of Invisible Hands, Inc.
Ivy Velez
Presenter
Ivy Velez
Presenter
Ivy Velez is a grassroot Latina Deaf Community Advocate and was born the oldest daughter of Deaf Parents and works as a Statewide Coordinator for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Supports at Department of Developmental Services. She has a BA in Human Services and MS in Organizational, Management and Leadership.
Elisa Velez
Presenter
Elisa Velez
Presenter
Elisa M. Vele is a Deaf Latinx and the 2nd daughter of Deaf parents. She holds a BA in Social Work and a MA in Sign Language in Education from Gallaudet University. She has worked in ASL education for 10 years and in the human services field for over 20 years.
Jasmine Garcia
Presenter
Jasmine Garcia
Presenter
Jasmine Garcia-Freeland, a Puerto-Rican deaf woman, was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. She currently resides in Buda, Texas with her husband, son, three dogs, and her mother. She works as an Advocate for DeafSHARE at the SAFE Alliance in Austin, Texas and is the founder and owner of JazMaria Boutique. She is also a Coach for Beachbody. Jasmine's main goal in life is to empower people to find balance and confidence with themselves through human connection, fashion, and healthy lifestyles.
Mon Ching Ng
Presenter
Mon Ching Ng
Presenter
Mon Ching Ng is a Chinese Deaf male raised in Brooklyn, New York. He currently resides in Stafford, Virginia, with his three children. Mon Ching graduated with a BS degree from Gallaudet University and an MS from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Currently, he is a vulnerability manager at the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Joseph “JoJo” Lopez
Presenter
Joseph “JoJo” Lopez
Presenter
Joseph Lopez aka “JoJo” born and raised in Riverside, California. He is a California School for the Deaf Riverside (2004) and Gallaudet University (2010/2017) alumni. He has a B.A in Communication Studies and M.A in Sign Language Education. JoJo currently lives in New Mexico and is working as a Deaf Mentor for Early Intervention & Developmental Services at New Mexico School for the Deaf. He is an Adjunct instructor for ASL Level 1 & II at New Mexico State University. He is also a Family Language Connector Program for Gallaudet University.
Kavita Pipalia
Presenter
Kavita Pipalia
Presenter
Kavita, a native of India, is an active professional in a variety of Deaf-serving organizations: the current President of California Association of the Deaf;one of three Deaf mothers who are founders of KODAWest a non-profit organization which provides hearing children with Deaf Parents programs and camp program opportunities to interact with peers. And Executive Director of Global Deaf Aid Foundation, partner with LEAD-K, non- profit organization. Outside of her professional life, she participates in advocacy and consulting services for various companies to provide accommodation needs for Deaf people.
Jermaine Cornish
Presenter
Jermaine Cornish
Presenter
Jermaine Cornis is a highly skilled computer operations and technical support expert with over ten years of experience. He has founded two successful businesses, JBear Computers and On The Air Productions, offering specialized computer networking and technical services. Jermaine has worked for Sorenson Communications for over sixteen years, and was promoted to District Manager, becoming the first Black Deaf person to hold that position within the company. He inspires others to overcome oppression and seek positive solutions.
Kristy Ramos
Presenter
Kristy Ramos
Presenter
Kristy Ramos is a Nuyorican, and she spent the last several years of her adolescence in the twin cities of Minnesota. She's a Career Counselor & Certified Abundance Mindset & Manifestation Life Coach. She provides services in Sign Language. Kristy helps clients live their best lives by identifying where growth is desired, setting goals, discovering answers, finding solutions, and assisting clients to reach their goals and live fulfilling lives.
Darrius Doe
Presenter
Darrius Doe
Presenter
I’m Darrius, a hard of hearing individual currently in Washington, D.C. I use American Sign Language natively and have been a member of the Deaf community all my life. As I navigate life, I encounter more questions than answers. However, growth and learning opportunities truly occur when listening to the story and experiences of others. With that, I make the inaccessible accessible; empower communities; and start conversations through engaging content and storytelling.
Dr. Khadijat Rashid
Presenter
Dr. Khadijat Rashid
Presenter
Khadijat Rashid is currently Dean of the Faculty at Gallaudet University. In 2010, President Obama appointed her as a White House Fellow, where she worked closely with senior government officials. She also was appointed by the Maryland governor to serve on the board for the Maryland School for the Deaf from 2008-2014. Dr. Rashid has published scholarly articles and book chapters and is the co-author of Citizenship, Politics, Difference: Perspectives from Sub-Saharan African Communities (2015). She has presented widely, including at the World Bank, the United Nations, the State Department, the US Agency for International Development, the World Federation of the Deaf, and the White House. She has a PhD in International Relations with specializations in economic policy and development from American University and an MBA from the University of Maryland. Dr. Rashid is a proud alumna of Gallaudet University, Class of 1990.
Kyle Amber Clark
Presenter
Kyle Amber Clark
Presenter
Kyle Amber Clark is a community capacity builder and inclusion strategist with over 10 years of experience in the work of transformative justice to challenge the status quo. She applies liberatory practices that aim to empower and liberate individuals and communities from oppression, domination, and injustice. She advocates for a culture of belonging in programs and organizations. In this presentation, she will share her insights on the essence of formulating liberatory practices by creating spaces that foster a culture of belonging, healing and transformation for personal and social change.
Niesha Washington-Shepard
Presenter
Niesha Washington-Shepard
Presenter
Niesha Washington-Shepard is a proud native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She is a Creole Black, light-skinned, Deaf female who is active in the DC Area Black Deaf Advocates (DCABDA), Clerc Cultural Committee-GUAA, and Louisiana School for the Deaf Alumni Association (LSDAA). She is also a social justice activist and a motherly warrior in the Black Deaf community. She is an Ed.D. student researching leadership in higher education at Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Mia Sanchez
Presenter
Mia Sanchez
Presenter
Mia Sanchez is a Deaf Afro-Latina artist aka Mia La Bella. Hailed from NYC, Mia was raised by a multicultural and hearing family. She became a student leader, teacher, and now as an entrepreneur. Mia lives in Morocco and will establish an art cafe with community-based projects.
Nozomi Tomita
Presenter
Nozomi Tomita
Presenter
Nozomi Tomita, Ph.D., is an scholar in Sign Language Linguistics with a keen interest in how language embodies our experiences. Her research interests include exploring the use of metaphors in signed languages and analyzing non-manual markers in language creation. Dr. Tomita has taught several courses, including Sign Language Linguistics, JSL, and ASL. She published a chapter in a linguistic book this year and authored an article on linguistic hijacking against the Deaf community in Japan. With a love for learning languages and cultures, she is committed to promoting linguistic diversity and awareness in academic and professional settings.
Antines “NuNu” Davis
Presenter
Antines “NuNu” Davis
Presenter
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, I was originally enrolled at the William Baer School in Baltimore City, Maryland for a few years until ultimately attending the Maryland School for the Deaf-Columbia and Frederick Campuses respectively, graduating from the latter in 1985. In 1985, I joined the Model Secondary School for the Deaf’s Post Enrichment Program, attended Gallaudet University, and eventually North Central Bible University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where I received a B.A. in Pastoral Studies.
Roberto Cabrera
Presenter
Roberto Cabrera
Presenter
Roberto Cabrera is a second-generation DeafBlind, Queer, Dominican. He is known for his work as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, a community outreach specialist, a teacher, and a trainer.
Yashira Romilus
Presenter
Yashira Romilus
Presenter
Yashaira “Yash” Romilus is a DeafBlind Latinx with ethnic roots coming from Puerto Rico. She instills a wealth of knowledge and experience from her personal life and her work background followed by specialized training and instruction of ProTactile.
Reginald “Reggie” Bess
Presenter
Reginald “Reggie” Bess
Presenter
Reggie Bess was born in Eastpoint, Georgia. From pre-K to twelfth grade, he attended public schools. He graduated from Clarkston High School in 2001. He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and mathematics from Clark Atlanta University (CAU) in 2006. He received his master degree in Deaf Education from Valdosta State University (VSU) in 2014. He became a highly qualified teacher at Atlanta Area School for the Deaf in 2018. (AASD). He currently holds certificates in middle school mathematics and Deaf Education. He was a math teacher for many years. He worked as an AASD behavior specialist. He is a doctoral student at Gallaudet University, where he studies Deaf Critical Learners with a focus on educational leadership and politics. He is currently a mathematics and first-year seminar instructor. He is also a black ambassador specialist for the Center for Black Deaf Studies and a life coach for the men's basketball team at Gallaudet University.
Dr. Suzette Garay
Presenter
Dr. Suzette Garay
Presenter
Dr. Suzette Garay- is BIPOC Deaf and a third generational Mayan indigenous, Latina(x) from South America, Nicaragua and a third member of my family who was born Deaf (non-ASL). She holds the following degrees: BA, MA. PSY.S, and a Ph.D. Her resume includes the following qualifications: 25+ years of direct teaching, evaluating, and mentoring with Special Education students, ASL/Interpreter students, working nationally-certified interpreters, and/or community business members who use American Sign Language for communicating with their DHHDB+ consumers. She also has invaluable personal experience and success teaching, evaluating, and mentoring diverse deaf individuals and/or consumers from underprivileged socio-economic backgrounds.
Francisca Rangel
Presenter
Francisca Rangel
Presenter
Francisca Rangel is currently working as the K-2 grade American Sign Language teacher at the Laurent Clerc Center in Washington, D.C. She has more than 28 years of experience in the education field at Kendall Demonstration Elementary School. She was the coordinator of the American Sign Language Program at the Clerc Center, a bilingual teacher, co-teaching with an ASL teacher, and a team leader for the elementary program. Outside of school, Francisca is a presenter, mentor, facilitator, consultant, and one of the founders of Deaf Women of Color. She proudly served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador.