1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:35,560 Speaker 1: Welcome. You are now listening to the Professional profession. Hey, 2 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:37,879 Speaker 1: Professional home Girls is the kid of a name from 3 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:40,599 Speaker 1: the PSD podcast, the only place where you would hear 4 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:43,839 Speaker 1: interviews from black women an honestly on stories that will 5 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:46,839 Speaker 1: enlighten and expand on taboo topics. Now, if you hear 6 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:49,920 Speaker 1: someone that sounds familiar, mind the business that pays you child. 7 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:53,120 Speaker 1: If you like the PhD podcast, please rate, review and 8 00:00:53,159 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 1: subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Please five star reviews only. Hold 9 00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:00,200 Speaker 1: me down, don't hold me up. 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Please keep in mind that 19 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:30,360 Speaker 1: all of my guests are nonnes so let's again this 20 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:33,759 Speaker 1: week's episode. I am super excited about this week's episode 21 00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:37,640 Speaker 1: for two reasons. One. My guest is a black deaf 22 00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:40,360 Speaker 1: woman who is a successful business owner and one of 23 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:44,480 Speaker 1: the most prominent faces for advancing the black deaf community. 24 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:48,600 Speaker 1: And too, I have a co host Today's Cheyenne, who 25 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:51,320 Speaker 1: would be interpreting for us today. So, ladies, how are 26 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:57,600 Speaker 1: y'all doing? How y'all feeling? I'm doing well, same Shanne, 27 00:01:57,640 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 1: I'm doing well as well. East. So what does it 28 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:15,600 Speaker 1: like to have your words translated by an interpreter? Well? 29 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 1: Hold on, can you what do you mean? Can you 30 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:22,840 Speaker 1: carefy that question? What do you mean? Exactly? So when 31 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:24,880 Speaker 1: it comes to having somebody like how important is to 32 00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:27,520 Speaker 1: find the right person to be able to get your 33 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:38,960 Speaker 1: message across? Like? How does that feel? Okay? So, like 34 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 1: access is very important, especially for me and other people 35 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:45,840 Speaker 1: in in general and the death community. It's also very 36 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:47,880 Speaker 1: important for me because I have to find a black 37 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:51,079 Speaker 1: interpreter or a person of color that is aware of 38 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:55,680 Speaker 1: like black culture. Um, Like, for example, I have different 39 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 1: signs you know that someone who was not from the 40 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 1: culture may under stand. So it's important that I have 41 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:04,880 Speaker 1: a black interpreter or interpreter of color who's able to 42 00:03:04,919 --> 00:03:08,040 Speaker 1: match me and my cultural preferences. Is also my personality 43 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:12,560 Speaker 1: as well. And um, so yeah, that that's really important 44 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:17,080 Speaker 1: to have someone who can match you culturally but also linguistically. Yeah, 45 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:20,440 Speaker 1: because I can't imagine having no white man trying to 46 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 1: speak for you. Yeah right. So what are some misconceptions 47 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:41,240 Speaker 1: about people who are deaf? Yeah, yeah, yeah, so unfortunately 48 00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:47,320 Speaker 1: people still assume that deaf people are present disabled. Um 49 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 1: with that, people, you know, deaf people have jobs, their 50 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:53,600 Speaker 1: own businesses, you know, they go to college, they get 51 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:57,280 Speaker 1: you know, higher education and degrees. We can do anything 52 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:00,760 Speaker 1: except here, like literally, that is the only exception to 53 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:04,920 Speaker 1: us in our limitation because for in the world, you know, 54 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 1: it's possible, you know, to go to school, um, to 55 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 1: be an active and you know, get jobs like for example, 56 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 1: like work, you know you know what for work, Like 57 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:27,680 Speaker 1: everyone shouldn't be able to hear, like for example, like 58 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:30,080 Speaker 1: if you work in HR. You know, some people who 59 00:04:30,080 --> 00:04:31,920 Speaker 1: work in the JR have never met a deaf person. 60 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:37,040 Speaker 1: So deaf people, the deaf population is very minute, it's 61 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 1: very small. So we have to be able to make 62 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:43,119 Speaker 1: sure that we're teaching other people that you know, we're 63 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:45,159 Speaker 1: human as well. We're the same as any other person 64 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:47,760 Speaker 1: who has the ability to hear is just access to 65 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:53,640 Speaker 1: language is different. Um. One of misconception that I found 66 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 1: that I thought was kind of um interesting and funny 67 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:01,120 Speaker 1: is all deaf people can sign. And the reason why 68 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:02,560 Speaker 1: I thought it was funny because when you meet a 69 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 1: person that Spanish, they think that they all Spanish people 70 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:23,560 Speaker 1: can speak Spanish. Right, that's the same concept exactly. Like 71 00:05:23,600 --> 00:05:28,719 Speaker 1: for example, um, black people black deaf people, you know, 72 00:05:28,839 --> 00:05:32,880 Speaker 1: they go through the similar experiences but different ways. So 73 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:36,440 Speaker 1: for example, like black culture is not always welcoming you 74 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:41,480 Speaker 1: know to black death culture. Um, Like if I go 75 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:44,520 Speaker 1: to a black restaurant and I sit down at the table, 76 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:49,359 Speaker 1: um people you know, you know, like black people they're talking, 77 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:51,960 Speaker 1: they listening to music, you know, and I'm not able 78 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:54,359 Speaker 1: to understand and be able to tap into that because 79 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:57,640 Speaker 1: that's their culture and how they access that culture is 80 00:05:57,680 --> 00:06:01,080 Speaker 1: there for them immediately, you know, like from like I 81 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:04,040 Speaker 1: need an interpreter or closed caption or someone who is 82 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:07,400 Speaker 1: willing to explain to me what is happening. So that 83 00:06:07,520 --> 00:06:10,560 Speaker 1: is you know, those are a little similar parallels that 84 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: you would notice. But what do you do in those cases? 85 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:15,920 Speaker 1: Like do you go out to restaurants for a large 86 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:25,200 Speaker 1: group of people? Yeah, yeah, yeah, so most of the time, 87 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 1: like we go in a group with family or friends 88 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:30,960 Speaker 1: and you know, you know, the restaurant doesn't have full 89 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:34,520 Speaker 1: accessibility obviously, Like for example, like you know, when the 90 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:36,880 Speaker 1: waiters come to the table, they have on mask and 91 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:39,080 Speaker 1: I'm deaf, so you know, we have to gesture or 92 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:41,120 Speaker 1: we have to find a way for us to communicate 93 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:44,320 Speaker 1: and have access to language. It's not always a hundred 94 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:50,240 Speaker 1: percent equitable, but it gets the point across. And do 95 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:52,280 Speaker 1: you think that there is a lack of representation when 96 00:06:52,320 --> 00:07:04,000 Speaker 1: it comes to the deaf community and if so, why, Yeah, 97 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:08,159 Speaker 1: there's not many representation of deaf people, but specifically black 98 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:13,480 Speaker 1: deaf people. Um, where do you see in movies typically, 99 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:22,400 Speaker 1: let's say movies UM jobs or HBCUs. You know, it's 100 00:07:22,720 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 1: very low advertisement for deaf people to go there. You 101 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:28,880 Speaker 1: don't really see people marketing towards the deaf community. There 102 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:31,480 Speaker 1: are a few black deaf people who went to HBCUs, 103 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:34,239 Speaker 1: but you know it's not advertised enough, so the word 104 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:38,080 Speaker 1: doesn't get out about it. And with that death representation 105 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 1: is typically overlooked. Um, we have to be able to advertise, 106 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:44,400 Speaker 1: get the word out, make sure that information is being 107 00:07:44,440 --> 00:07:48,360 Speaker 1: shared and continuously shared until people notice and take recognition 108 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:51,640 Speaker 1: of what is happening. That's so funny that you mentioned that, 109 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 1: because Hyenne and I was having a conversation about that yesterday, 110 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:57,320 Speaker 1: how there's a lack of representation when it comes to UM, 111 00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 1: hpc US and just schools overall. Yeah. So, so I 112 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:14,040 Speaker 1: was telling her about HBCUs and how there's not any 113 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:18,320 Speaker 1: interpreter training programs on those campuses. And you know that 114 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:24,400 Speaker 1: sometimes people you know, have bad experiences At Howard University UM, 115 00:08:24,440 --> 00:08:28,840 Speaker 1: for example, UM, they're still very not aware of culture 116 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:33,800 Speaker 1: and accessibility and disability services. I mean, they they lack awareness. So, 117 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:40,160 Speaker 1: for example, so I went on a tour with an 118 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:44,240 Speaker 1: interpreter and they said, sorry, we won't provide you interpreter 119 00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:47,520 Speaker 1: because this is a more visual tour. And so I 120 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:50,400 Speaker 1: was like, what do you mean? Like, I was shocked 121 00:08:50,440 --> 00:08:53,280 Speaker 1: by that comment that they wouldn't provide me with an interpreter. 122 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 1: So I found out that it's not the first time 123 00:08:55,840 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 1: that that situation has happened, has happened reaccurrently, and it's 124 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:03,679 Speaker 1: happened several times. So UM I had to meet with 125 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:06,800 Speaker 1: several students from there. I asked them to help me. 126 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:09,200 Speaker 1: You know, they were very willing to do that. So 127 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:12,360 Speaker 1: they had an iPhone and they made a voice note 128 00:09:12,440 --> 00:09:15,920 Speaker 1: on their phone, and you know, they were discussing their 129 00:09:15,960 --> 00:09:20,360 Speaker 1: frustrations and talking about accessibility, you know, and about my 130 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:22,840 Speaker 1: need of having an interpreter there with me so I 131 00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:25,680 Speaker 1: can feel a connection to what is being said instead 132 00:09:25,679 --> 00:09:28,880 Speaker 1: of having to click this voice note and it transcribes 133 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:31,439 Speaker 1: the language and I'm looking at that versus having an 134 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:35,200 Speaker 1: interpreter there who can actively be engaged in that environment 135 00:09:35,240 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 1: as it's happening. So, you know, unfortunately HPU stills are 136 00:09:40,840 --> 00:09:46,080 Speaker 1: not supportive of disabled disability services. UM. You have to 137 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:49,439 Speaker 1: have a voice to be involved and be in and 138 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 1: deaf and disabled friendly. You know, it hasn't been in 139 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:56,640 Speaker 1: the picture for a very long time. People don't go there. 140 00:09:56,679 --> 00:10:00,319 Speaker 1: Maybe one or two, you know people grad I do it, 141 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:02,680 Speaker 1: but you know, it takes a group to have a voice, 142 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:04,400 Speaker 1: not only two people could stand up and make the 143 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:08,240 Speaker 1: change that needs to happen. Yeah, it's messed up because 144 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:11,520 Speaker 1: I'm an HBCU alumni, So I don't know when I 145 00:10:11,559 --> 00:10:14,600 Speaker 1: was doing this. When I was researching for this UM conversation, 146 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:17,000 Speaker 1: you know, I was I learned a lot about the 147 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:30,320 Speaker 1: black deaf community and there's a large population that's being overlooked. Yeah. Um, 148 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:36,400 Speaker 1: that's why we we picked Deaf University Gallada University versus 149 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:43,360 Speaker 1: an HBCU. Because you know, we picked being you death first. 150 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:52,000 Speaker 1: You know, our definite comes for first, and uh, autism 151 00:10:52,280 --> 00:10:57,800 Speaker 1: like the oppression based off your ability to hear, there's racism. 152 00:10:57,880 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 1: So either way you pick, it's really a tough decision 153 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:04,760 Speaker 1: for people to make, you know, you know, because you 154 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 1: know autism first and being death first versus being black, 155 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:12,839 Speaker 1: that comparison, you have to pick. What do you always 156 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:29,080 Speaker 1: people knew more about the black death community. We need 157 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:32,240 Speaker 1: more black interpreters, I mean, to be quite frankly, it's 158 00:11:32,280 --> 00:11:37,120 Speaker 1: still very small pool of black interpreters. Um. So there 159 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 1: is definitely a need for interpreters, like for example, my area. 160 00:11:41,320 --> 00:11:47,359 Speaker 1: I'm from Virginia and we really we're so thankful because 161 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:51,280 Speaker 1: you know, there's a school, there's churches, there's family. Um 162 00:11:51,360 --> 00:11:54,240 Speaker 1: so I grew up with a black teacher. You know, 163 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:57,920 Speaker 1: I grew up with black interpreters in my area. But 164 00:11:58,040 --> 00:12:01,320 Speaker 1: you know, I am aware of my experience and how 165 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:03,960 Speaker 1: a black interpreter and a black teacher has impacted my 166 00:12:04,080 --> 00:12:08,080 Speaker 1: life and you know, U of made my identity how 167 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:10,720 Speaker 1: I was able to get through life compared to other 168 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:14,120 Speaker 1: black students that never had a black interpreter ever in 169 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 1: their life being death. And so you know, when I 170 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 1: encounter that, I'm still very shocked because how is that possible. 171 00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:23,400 Speaker 1: You know, there's no way that that should be possible, 172 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:26,080 Speaker 1: that there should be a black interpreter there, you know, 173 00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:29,080 Speaker 1: but there it's a common experience. It's a very small 174 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:33,920 Speaker 1: population and black interpreters, you know, are a very small 175 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:37,440 Speaker 1: fishing at pool. So it's time that you know, we 176 00:12:37,600 --> 00:12:40,119 Speaker 1: encourage more black students to go to school for interpreting. 177 00:12:40,440 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 1: We also need to have more black professors black interpreters, 178 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:46,160 Speaker 1: as I've been mentioning more of a voice for our 179 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:50,559 Speaker 1: black deaf community. That is what's needed. And we you know, 180 00:12:50,760 --> 00:12:55,280 Speaker 1: experience interpreters and teachers that are not aware of the 181 00:12:55,320 --> 00:13:01,840 Speaker 1: culture oftentimes and struggle to um m, you know, in 182 00:13:01,880 --> 00:13:05,440 Speaker 1: that situation. During those times, we struggle because the interpreters 183 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: and the teachers are not the same background of us. 184 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:09,640 Speaker 1: So it's important that we get recognition out there so 185 00:13:09,679 --> 00:13:12,960 Speaker 1: people understand we need more interpreters and teachers of color, 186 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 1: specifically black teachers. Now this is amazing. Uh, Like, I 187 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 1: feel so horrible, but I was like, I'm not canceling 188 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:24,199 Speaker 1: this conversation because I think this conversation is so necessary. 189 00:13:24,559 --> 00:13:27,880 Speaker 1: I think it's very informative. And I also think that, 190 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:31,559 Speaker 1: you know, it speaks to the nuances that you, as 191 00:13:31,559 --> 00:13:34,360 Speaker 1: a black deaf woman have to experience that a lot 192 00:13:34,360 --> 00:13:42,360 Speaker 1: of people may not know of. Yeah, oh yeah, and 193 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:45,560 Speaker 1: a fun fact and you know the experience. Yeah, it's 194 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:49,679 Speaker 1: it's really an experience and a fun fact. A couple 195 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:51,679 Speaker 1: of years ago, I wanted to sign up to learn 196 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:53,360 Speaker 1: sign language. So I think this is gonna be my 197 00:13:53,400 --> 00:14:01,199 Speaker 1: push to get back out there. Yeah, that would be wonderful. 198 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:05,440 Speaker 1: That would be wonderful. Right. I saw a video with UM. 199 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:09,080 Speaker 1: It was at a Walk of Flock of concert and 200 00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:12,200 Speaker 1: it was a girl. She was interpreting his music, and 201 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:20,600 Speaker 1: I'm like, I'm gonna do stuff like that. Yeah, yeah, 202 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 1: go for it. Definitely go for UM. Hopefully in the 203 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:29,400 Speaker 1: future UM in school, you know, they'll start, you know, 204 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:34,040 Speaker 1: educating and encouraging children to learn some language. I think 205 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:37,040 Speaker 1: that that would be you know, not only for the 206 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:41,600 Speaker 1: deaf community, but just very beneficial for people who don't 207 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 1: have a voice, people who don't talk. You know, it 208 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:48,440 Speaker 1: can go beyond just being deaf. You know, we can 209 00:14:48,560 --> 00:14:51,960 Speaker 1: do gesturing and signing. You know, everyone can use those skills. 210 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:57,240 Speaker 1: So for example, um, I went to Chick fil A. 211 00:14:57,960 --> 00:15:00,080 Speaker 1: I went to Chick fil A and I went in 212 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:02,640 Speaker 1: there and I met a person. You know, they were 213 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:06,920 Speaker 1: from an into another country, and he was not able 214 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:10,280 Speaker 1: to talk English, and so we were trying to communicate 215 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:12,040 Speaker 1: and going back and forth. But we were able to 216 00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 1: use gestures and I was able to gesture back to 217 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:17,680 Speaker 1: him and you know point say yes. You know, we 218 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:21,480 Speaker 1: had some understanding and comprehension. So it was beneficial because 219 00:15:21,520 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 1: other people, you know, will they understand gestures probably, so, 220 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 1: so you know, it's very important. It's not only thank 221 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:33,880 Speaker 1: you and yes and okay, you know, it's more so 222 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:36,760 Speaker 1: people can become aware of sil language. So that's the goal, 223 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 1: is that people overall will have awareness of SIL language 224 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:44,080 Speaker 1: and its benefits. So let's talk a little bit about 225 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:47,680 Speaker 1: your experience. Were you born up or did you lose 226 00:15:47,720 --> 00:16:00,280 Speaker 1: your hearing at a certain age. So I think I 227 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:04,320 Speaker 1: was born deaf because before in the nineteen eighties, we 228 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 1: noticed that, you know, we noticed things very late. So 229 00:16:07,880 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 1: my family wasn't aware that I was deaf until I 230 00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:15,680 Speaker 1: was two because my mother, she was very young when 231 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 1: she had me, so you know, she suspected that I 232 00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:26,000 Speaker 1: had issues possibly delayed. Um. But but my great grand 233 00:16:26,080 --> 00:16:28,800 Speaker 1: my grandmother took care of us at that time. My 234 00:16:28,840 --> 00:16:31,480 Speaker 1: grandmother was the first one to suspect that I was deaf. 235 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:33,840 Speaker 1: And so my family took me to get a hair 236 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 1: and test to see the results, and then that's when 237 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:40,680 Speaker 1: they found out I was completely deaf. And so from there, 238 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:44,600 Speaker 1: you know, they really did some more tests and they 239 00:16:44,640 --> 00:16:49,080 Speaker 1: were able to find, you know, a gene from before 240 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:55,360 Speaker 1: generations that had deafness, so you know, it's very hold 241 00:16:55,440 --> 00:17:04,720 Speaker 1: him one second deafness. They found out that deafness was 242 00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:08,200 Speaker 1: a common gene and my family like from generations ago, 243 00:17:08,760 --> 00:17:12,200 Speaker 1: and so it's in my family heritage and in my genetics. 244 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:14,360 Speaker 1: And so then we later found that on we later 245 00:17:14,760 --> 00:17:20,080 Speaker 1: found that information. Now you're going to do that, you're 246 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:28,720 Speaker 1: working twice as sorry, I'm sorry when it comes to 247 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 1: your media family, are you the only one in your 248 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:44,240 Speaker 1: family that's deaf? So I'm one of six, and um, 249 00:17:44,280 --> 00:17:46,720 Speaker 1: I'm the oldest. I have an older sister. I have 250 00:17:46,920 --> 00:17:51,239 Speaker 1: another sister and a brother. So that's how it is. 251 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:55,159 Speaker 1: And so all my family is hearing. I am the 252 00:17:55,160 --> 00:17:57,600 Speaker 1: only one who is deaf. But you know, I'm so 253 00:17:57,680 --> 00:17:59,960 Speaker 1: thankful for my family, you know, because they do sound. 254 00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:03,600 Speaker 1: I've talked them. We were able to communicate. Um, most 255 00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:07,360 Speaker 1: of the time. If it's a long discussion or back 256 00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:09,600 Speaker 1: and forth, we tend to write. We tend to write, 257 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:13,200 Speaker 1: you know, or we gesture, so we're able to understand 258 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:16,639 Speaker 1: each other. But mostly, you know, we do have you know, 259 00:18:16,760 --> 00:18:19,399 Speaker 1: conversations through sid language. So I'm am thankful that my 260 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:21,399 Speaker 1: family did take this time to learn how to sign. 261 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:27,840 Speaker 1: I always say, um, you can't miss something you never had, right, 262 00:18:27,880 --> 00:18:29,439 Speaker 1: So did you it was that every time when you 263 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:32,479 Speaker 1: wish you could hear, or did it never came up 264 00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:45,960 Speaker 1: or never thought about it? No, No, I think that's 265 00:18:45,960 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 1: a good question. I get that question all the time. 266 00:18:48,359 --> 00:18:55,440 Speaker 1: So it's interesting because I have a funny story. Um M, 267 00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:59,840 Speaker 1: I lived upstairs and so we had a next door 268 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:03,639 Speaker 1: neighbor who was very noisy and some you know sometimes 269 00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 1: and the two of us, you said, like text each 270 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:11,399 Speaker 1: other from the other room. Because my mom didn't we 271 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:13,960 Speaker 1: didn't have to want to walk around and talk to 272 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:15,680 Speaker 1: each other. So we would just text back and forth, 273 00:19:16,240 --> 00:19:19,520 Speaker 1: and so it would say, Hey, I'm tired of the 274 00:19:19,560 --> 00:19:22,560 Speaker 1: neighbor and all the noise that they're making, and so 275 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:26,600 Speaker 1: question mark, question mark. And then you know, I respond 276 00:19:26,640 --> 00:19:29,359 Speaker 1: and say, oh, I'm happy I'm deaf. I can't I 277 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:32,639 Speaker 1: can't hear the noise that they're making next door. So 278 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:38,120 Speaker 1: my mom was like laughing hysterically because my mom never 279 00:19:38,280 --> 00:19:40,439 Speaker 1: knew that, you know, I would be happy that I 280 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:43,800 Speaker 1: would be deaf, because my mom thought that, you know, 281 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:47,800 Speaker 1: maybe I would be frustrated or but I love it 282 00:19:47,880 --> 00:19:50,160 Speaker 1: and that's just a part of who I am. So 283 00:19:50,280 --> 00:19:52,800 Speaker 1: you know, there's moments where I realized it's like I 284 00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:55,400 Speaker 1: don't hear any noise. I don't hear anything. I'm able 285 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:58,600 Speaker 1: to just go on about my time normally. And so 286 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:08,080 Speaker 1: also one second, also my my younger sister, you know, 287 00:20:08,359 --> 00:20:11,200 Speaker 1: I was tired, like she was talking so much, and 288 00:20:11,240 --> 00:20:13,440 Speaker 1: I was like, she's telling me someone was talking so much, 289 00:20:13,480 --> 00:20:15,480 Speaker 1: and again here I am, thank God, I can't hear it. 290 00:20:15,640 --> 00:20:18,320 Speaker 1: So you know, my sister was shocked, and also she 291 00:20:18,359 --> 00:20:21,479 Speaker 1: started laughing too, because you know, I can't hear when 292 00:20:21,520 --> 00:20:26,440 Speaker 1: people are talking too much. So there's a few frustrations 293 00:20:26,640 --> 00:20:30,080 Speaker 1: you know that deaf people. Oh, you know, people really 294 00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:32,840 Speaker 1: are aware of especially like I said, the communication aspect, 295 00:20:32,920 --> 00:20:44,160 Speaker 1: like the simple things for example, can I get a drink? Um? 296 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:46,320 Speaker 1: You know, people don't understand that, like if I just go, 297 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:49,399 Speaker 1: can I get like a drink? And so, you know, 298 00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:52,040 Speaker 1: simple stuff like that, like you can't even put together 299 00:20:52,119 --> 00:20:54,720 Speaker 1: like you know, this hand is for a drink. So 300 00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:57,680 Speaker 1: it can be frustrating with that which is so simple. 301 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:03,800 Speaker 1: But you know, I did think that if I was hearing, 302 00:21:04,119 --> 00:21:07,160 Speaker 1: maybe I wouldn't know deaf culture, so I wouldn't even 303 00:21:07,160 --> 00:21:12,120 Speaker 1: been exposed to this if I was hearing. Possibly, Yeah, 304 00:21:12,280 --> 00:21:13,960 Speaker 1: you got it, you got it made because I wish 305 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:21,080 Speaker 1: I could turn some people off man or I live 306 00:21:21,160 --> 00:21:23,560 Speaker 1: in New York and is so it can be so 307 00:21:23,760 --> 00:21:26,199 Speaker 1: loud at times, like I wish I can just be like, 308 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:36,119 Speaker 1: oh my god, I noticed that one guy, uh, he 309 00:21:36,240 --> 00:21:38,480 Speaker 1: was waiting to get food one time we got a 310 00:21:38,520 --> 00:21:41,359 Speaker 1: restaurant and it became very busy and and it and 311 00:21:41,400 --> 00:21:43,600 Speaker 1: it was busy for a while, and so we're standing 312 00:21:43,600 --> 00:21:46,359 Speaker 1: in line waiting to get food and the guy he 313 00:21:46,440 --> 00:21:49,560 Speaker 1: had him like headphones and he will listen to music. 314 00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:54,359 Speaker 1: And I was like, oh okay. And then another guy 315 00:21:54,560 --> 00:21:57,679 Speaker 1: came and approached him and started talking, and so he 316 00:21:57,880 --> 00:22:02,280 Speaker 1: ignored him because of his headphones, and so I felt like, oh, 317 00:22:02,400 --> 00:22:04,520 Speaker 1: did he not want to be bothered or you know. 318 00:22:04,560 --> 00:22:06,199 Speaker 1: I was trying to figure it out, and then I 319 00:22:06,240 --> 00:22:08,760 Speaker 1: decided to go and I tapped the guy and I said, 320 00:22:08,840 --> 00:22:12,200 Speaker 1: why do you have them your headphones? And he says, oh, 321 00:22:12,320 --> 00:22:16,239 Speaker 1: I don't want anyone to interrupt me, and so I 322 00:22:16,280 --> 00:22:19,440 Speaker 1: started laughing. I was like, oh, okay, I get it. 323 00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:24,879 Speaker 1: You know whatever, folks a vote. Can you describe what 324 00:22:25,040 --> 00:22:38,720 Speaker 1: being death feels like? Regular? Right? I don't know. Just 325 00:22:38,880 --> 00:22:45,080 Speaker 1: I'm just human, like just just I'm able to go 326 00:22:45,119 --> 00:22:49,160 Speaker 1: to work, I'm able to cook, I'm able to do everything. 327 00:22:49,400 --> 00:22:56,320 Speaker 1: Just I can't hear, like there's no exception. Um, I 328 00:22:56,400 --> 00:23:00,159 Speaker 1: feel silent, like you know, like it's silent um. But 329 00:23:00,600 --> 00:23:03,080 Speaker 1: you know, it's funny because people say no, like deaf 330 00:23:03,119 --> 00:23:07,040 Speaker 1: people are very loud, you know, because we can't hear ourselves, 331 00:23:07,040 --> 00:23:12,240 Speaker 1: so we don't realize how loud we are. And so um. 332 00:23:12,359 --> 00:23:14,879 Speaker 1: The other day, I was talking with a group of 333 00:23:14,920 --> 00:23:18,359 Speaker 1: friends and we were in the car and so I 334 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:21,639 Speaker 1: parked the car and I was waiting to get my food, 335 00:23:21,680 --> 00:23:23,080 Speaker 1: and I decided that I was going to get off 336 00:23:23,119 --> 00:23:26,000 Speaker 1: the car and open the door, like you opened the door. 337 00:23:26,160 --> 00:23:27,919 Speaker 1: And so I got out and I walked and I 338 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:31,280 Speaker 1: came back. My friend was like, did you know that 339 00:23:31,320 --> 00:23:33,760 Speaker 1: you slammed the car door and it was so loud? 340 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:39,199 Speaker 1: And I was like, oh, you know, you know, definitely 341 00:23:39,960 --> 00:23:41,359 Speaker 1: I had to do with test. You know, I had 342 00:23:41,400 --> 00:23:43,439 Speaker 1: to take the door and make sure and then I 343 00:23:43,480 --> 00:23:47,919 Speaker 1: didn't not realize it was loud. And so now you know, 344 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:51,560 Speaker 1: I always practiced closing the car door now because you know, 345 00:23:51,680 --> 00:23:54,120 Speaker 1: people are aware of it or they could become anchored 346 00:23:54,200 --> 00:23:57,160 Speaker 1: by that. So you know, you know, I just tried 347 00:23:57,200 --> 00:23:59,840 Speaker 1: to naturally close the door, you know, because I had 348 00:23:59,880 --> 00:24:02,600 Speaker 1: no idea how loud it was. And why would you 349 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:04,760 Speaker 1: think you had an idea how loud it was? Like, girl, 350 00:24:05,119 --> 00:24:13,760 Speaker 1: I'm trying to get my food. Yeah, So what are 351 00:24:13,800 --> 00:24:37,040 Speaker 1: some other challenges you face? H M? Really in America? UM, 352 00:24:37,080 --> 00:24:44,520 Speaker 1: I don't know how, I don't how do I say it? Um? 353 00:24:44,560 --> 00:24:50,760 Speaker 1: You know they have high accessibility for disabled people. Um. 354 00:24:50,800 --> 00:24:54,639 Speaker 1: But then when you fly to like Africa or you know, 355 00:24:54,720 --> 00:24:56,560 Speaker 1: you can go there and you can stay there for 356 00:24:56,600 --> 00:25:03,920 Speaker 1: a few months. And when I stayed there, it was awful. Um. 357 00:25:03,960 --> 00:25:07,640 Speaker 1: Really it was a really good experiencing but also really 358 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:12,520 Speaker 1: eye opening experience for me. And you know, I was 359 00:25:12,560 --> 00:25:19,480 Speaker 1: in West Africa and Nigeria, and when I was there, 360 00:25:20,359 --> 00:25:24,840 Speaker 1: I was I was in shock that the disabled community 361 00:25:24,880 --> 00:25:29,320 Speaker 1: they were taught last, they come first, so you know, 362 00:25:29,520 --> 00:25:32,120 Speaker 1: they are at the low end of the totem pole. 363 00:25:32,280 --> 00:25:34,760 Speaker 1: So I was just so shocked by that. In my 364 00:25:34,920 --> 00:25:38,520 Speaker 1: brand about how America and the things that you know 365 00:25:38,680 --> 00:25:42,400 Speaker 1: in Africa, how there's the starkly difference they are from 366 00:25:42,560 --> 00:25:46,159 Speaker 1: the treatment of disabled people in America and in Africa. 367 00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:52,480 Speaker 1: And so then I flew um. I flew there and 368 00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:54,880 Speaker 1: then I showed them like, you know, I was deaf, 369 00:25:55,480 --> 00:26:05,040 Speaker 1: and yeah, so I had some with me. I had 370 00:26:05,119 --> 00:26:09,040 Speaker 1: like assistant with me when I flew to Africa for language, 371 00:26:09,560 --> 00:26:14,960 Speaker 1: and they were with me that time, and they said that, oh, 372 00:26:15,240 --> 00:26:19,679 Speaker 1: you have someone with you, and I was like, uh no, 373 00:26:19,840 --> 00:26:22,920 Speaker 1: I flew alone. And so then they was like, so 374 00:26:22,960 --> 00:26:27,400 Speaker 1: where's your assistant And then they was like, we don't 375 00:26:27,440 --> 00:26:31,640 Speaker 1: have an assistant right now. And I was shocked by 376 00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:35,199 Speaker 1: that because I was like disabled people their access like 377 00:26:35,240 --> 00:26:37,000 Speaker 1: what do you mean. They don't have anyone there right 378 00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:40,520 Speaker 1: now who can help them, and so they had to 379 00:26:43,080 --> 00:26:45,560 Speaker 1: so they had to right back and forth to each other. 380 00:26:46,119 --> 00:26:50,600 Speaker 1: And they said that because in the small airport they have, 381 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:54,359 Speaker 1: you know, the announcement, there's no announcements or anything that 382 00:26:54,400 --> 00:27:03,479 Speaker 1: are being made so that you can so okay, I 383 00:27:03,560 --> 00:27:05,919 Speaker 1: just want to clarify that. She said that at the 384 00:27:05,920 --> 00:27:09,360 Speaker 1: announcements in the airport, they're only auditory, so you can 385 00:27:09,359 --> 00:27:11,520 Speaker 1: only hear them. There's no captions there, so if there's 386 00:27:11,520 --> 00:27:14,760 Speaker 1: a deaf person there, they can't see what announcement is 387 00:27:14,800 --> 00:27:20,280 Speaker 1: being made. And um, you know, so you know, they 388 00:27:20,280 --> 00:27:22,800 Speaker 1: have to write, like on a piece of paper, I'm deaf, 389 00:27:22,880 --> 00:27:25,120 Speaker 1: you know, you know, and someone has to go with 390 00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:28,720 Speaker 1: them to the gate. You know, it's a process for 391 00:27:28,800 --> 00:27:31,640 Speaker 1: them to get through, and someone has to watch and 392 00:27:31,680 --> 00:27:34,959 Speaker 1: make sure that, you know, please if I don't want 393 00:27:34,960 --> 00:27:37,320 Speaker 1: to miss the flight. So they're always paranoid because they 394 00:27:37,359 --> 00:27:39,200 Speaker 1: have to be there. They have to look at people 395 00:27:39,480 --> 00:27:42,400 Speaker 1: who are walking by and they're like, are they going 396 00:27:42,480 --> 00:27:44,680 Speaker 1: to my gate? You know, are they flying with me? 397 00:27:45,080 --> 00:27:47,000 Speaker 1: Because you know, they have to hurry up and get 398 00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:49,000 Speaker 1: on because they don't want to miss the flight. So 399 00:27:49,280 --> 00:27:53,199 Speaker 1: often there is this you know, constant monitoring, and so 400 00:27:53,240 --> 00:27:55,359 Speaker 1: they have to look and then you know, they have 401 00:27:55,440 --> 00:27:59,080 Speaker 1: to get someone to help them, and someone has to 402 00:27:59,119 --> 00:28:10,760 Speaker 1: read whatever the they wrote down, and you know, so 403 00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:13,760 Speaker 1: they have to go back and forth, and so you know, 404 00:28:13,840 --> 00:28:16,320 Speaker 1: I just felt like I wouldn't trust that person. I 405 00:28:16,320 --> 00:28:18,040 Speaker 1: had to act, so I had to. So for me, 406 00:28:18,119 --> 00:28:20,639 Speaker 1: what I did, I got in mind. I asked another person. 407 00:28:20,680 --> 00:28:23,280 Speaker 1: I was like, is this information right? And they confirmed 408 00:28:23,280 --> 00:28:26,639 Speaker 1: that the information was right for me, um the people 409 00:28:26,800 --> 00:28:29,120 Speaker 1: in the airport. So then I got in on the airplane, 410 00:28:29,160 --> 00:28:33,040 Speaker 1: was able to fly out. But then I arrived here 411 00:28:33,760 --> 00:28:36,920 Speaker 1: and I, you know, I was just thinking about that experience, 412 00:28:36,920 --> 00:28:40,440 Speaker 1: and I learned that, you know, in that area, it 413 00:28:40,480 --> 00:28:44,280 Speaker 1: doesn't accommodate to the needs of deaf people. Even if 414 00:28:44,320 --> 00:28:47,160 Speaker 1: they have a disabled law, you know, they haven't had 415 00:28:47,200 --> 00:28:50,480 Speaker 1: one approved yet. There's no laws on the books, uh 416 00:28:50,600 --> 00:28:53,640 Speaker 1: for protection of deaf citizens there, so it can become 417 00:28:53,760 --> 00:29:00,480 Speaker 1: become very frustrating. And yeah, that's just my experience. You know. 418 00:29:00,680 --> 00:29:03,800 Speaker 1: I know you're not supposed to live in fear, but 419 00:29:03,880 --> 00:29:06,280 Speaker 1: are there ever been Have there ever been times when 420 00:29:06,320 --> 00:29:26,840 Speaker 1: you've been afraid for your safety? Oh? Yeah, um, yeah, 421 00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:29,320 Speaker 1: I got lost in West Virginia. I was driving in 422 00:29:29,320 --> 00:29:34,880 Speaker 1: West Virginia and I got lost. And because UM, I 423 00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:40,400 Speaker 1: realized that my phone was using the GPS and that 424 00:29:40,720 --> 00:29:43,200 Speaker 1: I was driving, you know, following the GPS, and I 425 00:29:43,240 --> 00:29:53,959 Speaker 1: didn't realize that that phone area the there was no UM, 426 00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:56,840 Speaker 1: there was no connection, there was no cellular connection, and 427 00:29:56,840 --> 00:29:59,480 Speaker 1: it got lost in West Virginia. So I had no Internet. 428 00:29:59,560 --> 00:30:03,880 Speaker 1: I had no nothing UM at that time, and so 429 00:30:04,120 --> 00:30:07,840 Speaker 1: I was like, okay, I was like, I can't make 430 00:30:07,880 --> 00:30:11,720 Speaker 1: any calls. You know, you know the WiFi I was 431 00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:20,560 Speaker 1: able to getting into hold on one second, I wasn't able. 432 00:30:20,840 --> 00:30:23,200 Speaker 1: I wasn't able to even use video relay service to 433 00:30:23,200 --> 00:30:26,600 Speaker 1: connect with an interpreter because the network was lost, and 434 00:30:27,320 --> 00:30:29,920 Speaker 1: you know, I couldn't I couldn't call no one one either. 435 00:30:30,640 --> 00:30:33,760 Speaker 1: So what I had to do, I was like, Okay, 436 00:30:34,720 --> 00:30:39,480 Speaker 1: I can't hear I'm lost in West Virginia. I don't 437 00:30:39,560 --> 00:30:42,960 Speaker 1: know anyone in this area. So I'm like assessing the scene, 438 00:30:43,000 --> 00:30:45,040 Speaker 1: and you know, I become a little bit nervous. And 439 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:52,280 Speaker 1: at that time, it's it was raining. It was raining, 440 00:30:52,400 --> 00:30:55,960 Speaker 1: and so it was a little glary. But you know, 441 00:30:56,000 --> 00:30:58,880 Speaker 1: I was trying to stay positive. And I remember, you know, 442 00:30:59,200 --> 00:31:01,520 Speaker 1: back a while so that you know, I can't use 443 00:31:01,560 --> 00:31:06,400 Speaker 1: my phone, so I have to, you know, go with 444 00:31:06,440 --> 00:31:09,400 Speaker 1: my instinct and be intuitive, intuitive and figure out where 445 00:31:09,440 --> 00:31:11,880 Speaker 1: to go, especially on the highway because I had no 446 00:31:11,920 --> 00:31:20,680 Speaker 1: cellular service or access. And I saw I saw a 447 00:31:20,720 --> 00:31:23,280 Speaker 1: sign on the highway and I was waiting to see 448 00:31:23,320 --> 00:31:24,840 Speaker 1: if I could pass the rest stop. So when I 449 00:31:24,880 --> 00:31:27,080 Speaker 1: saw that, I took off. I went off the exit 450 00:31:27,160 --> 00:31:30,880 Speaker 1: ramp and I was driving and I saw a McDonald's 451 00:31:31,760 --> 00:31:34,280 Speaker 1: and so I knew that they would have free WiFi. 452 00:31:34,600 --> 00:31:37,160 Speaker 1: I automatically knew that. So I pulled into the McDonald's 453 00:31:37,200 --> 00:31:40,440 Speaker 1: parking lot. I arrived there, and you know, so I 454 00:31:40,480 --> 00:31:42,440 Speaker 1: get on my phone and I was finally able to 455 00:31:42,480 --> 00:31:45,160 Speaker 1: get a connection and get the WiFi that I needed. 456 00:31:45,760 --> 00:31:49,320 Speaker 1: And so at that time, I was very scared because 457 00:31:49,320 --> 00:31:52,680 Speaker 1: I've never been there. And so now I'm always aware, 458 00:31:52,800 --> 00:31:55,240 Speaker 1: like during you know, when I can get free WiFi, 459 00:31:55,440 --> 00:31:58,200 Speaker 1: and when I'm traveling, I have an app I put 460 00:31:58,280 --> 00:32:00,800 Speaker 1: down in a note down places that have free WiFi, 461 00:32:01,440 --> 00:32:04,640 Speaker 1: you know, the exit number, the street. I dat all 462 00:32:04,680 --> 00:32:07,200 Speaker 1: that information down, so when I arrived there, you know, 463 00:32:07,280 --> 00:32:13,000 Speaker 1: I know where exactly I'm going. Um. So it was 464 00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:17,680 Speaker 1: about two hours from West Virginia to drive to and 465 00:32:20,520 --> 00:32:26,480 Speaker 1: to Indiana, and um, I was like praying, I was praying. 466 00:32:26,480 --> 00:32:28,880 Speaker 1: I was praying. I was praying. I was like, you know, 467 00:32:29,200 --> 00:32:32,040 Speaker 1: I was once arrived safe, so I was like, okay. 468 00:32:32,160 --> 00:32:35,520 Speaker 1: So I got ready to drive and I thought, like, 469 00:32:35,680 --> 00:32:39,000 Speaker 1: you know, I went into Ohio finally and I was 470 00:32:39,040 --> 00:32:41,120 Speaker 1: able to get my network back once I crossed into 471 00:32:41,120 --> 00:32:44,960 Speaker 1: the Ohio and I was like thank god, Um, so 472 00:32:45,360 --> 00:32:47,640 Speaker 1: you know I was able to call and make sure, 473 00:32:47,800 --> 00:32:51,040 Speaker 1: you know, everything was okay. And then I drove to 474 00:32:51,160 --> 00:32:55,120 Speaker 1: Indiana and I arrived safely. So I learned that list 475 00:32:55,480 --> 00:32:58,840 Speaker 1: and you know, I need, you know, to make time 476 00:32:58,880 --> 00:33:06,640 Speaker 1: to get a phone all and yeah, and so I 477 00:33:06,680 --> 00:33:11,400 Speaker 1: had Sprint cell phone service, so I trened. I. Uh, 478 00:33:11,600 --> 00:33:13,320 Speaker 1: I changed my service so I can make sure I 479 00:33:13,320 --> 00:33:16,240 Speaker 1: have service all over the state because my other phone 480 00:33:16,280 --> 00:33:18,959 Speaker 1: did not cover all over the state. It was limited 481 00:33:19,000 --> 00:33:21,760 Speaker 1: to specific areas. So that's why it lost the network 482 00:33:21,800 --> 00:33:24,239 Speaker 1: when I drove into West Virginia. So now I make 483 00:33:24,280 --> 00:33:29,480 Speaker 1: sure I have nation wide coverage all over. Nah, girl, 484 00:33:29,520 --> 00:33:40,480 Speaker 1: I would have started crying. Um, how was your language? 485 00:33:40,600 --> 00:33:42,800 Speaker 1: Understand that? But you know, I was just trying to 486 00:33:42,800 --> 00:33:45,720 Speaker 1: get a positive mind. I was trying to because I 487 00:33:45,800 --> 00:33:47,680 Speaker 1: was I was scared. I was like, you know, it's 488 00:33:47,720 --> 00:33:50,120 Speaker 1: West Virginia. It's read neck people out there. You know, 489 00:33:50,320 --> 00:33:53,160 Speaker 1: it's it's it's a lot. So you know, being black 490 00:33:53,240 --> 00:33:59,320 Speaker 1: and wesn't I'm bad? I'm a woman. No, wasn't. It wasn't. 491 00:33:59,360 --> 00:34:01,800 Speaker 1: I had to get out of there a sack. Yes, 492 00:34:02,160 --> 00:34:03,800 Speaker 1: you're in the South child, you know how they give 493 00:34:03,840 --> 00:34:13,759 Speaker 1: it up? So, um, how is your language development encouraged? 494 00:34:22,280 --> 00:34:25,000 Speaker 1: What do you mean? I'm getting good. I'm starting to 495 00:34:25,080 --> 00:34:28,360 Speaker 1: learn how to um signing because I understood what she said? 496 00:34:31,719 --> 00:34:33,160 Speaker 1: What do you mean? She actually, what do you mean? 497 00:34:33,200 --> 00:34:35,840 Speaker 1: Like like language development encourage? What do you mean? I'm like, 498 00:34:35,880 --> 00:34:38,120 Speaker 1: were you encouraged to like read the dictionary? Where you 499 00:34:38,239 --> 00:34:43,520 Speaker 1: encouraged to like read more? Or journal? Like? How were 500 00:34:43,560 --> 00:34:46,040 Speaker 1: you able to use certain words if you're not able 501 00:34:46,040 --> 00:34:58,040 Speaker 1: to hear how they sound? So, language acquisition starts when 502 00:34:58,040 --> 00:35:03,040 Speaker 1: your baby, when you're rea as soon as possible, and um, 503 00:35:03,280 --> 00:35:10,280 Speaker 1: most of my family and my parents, uh grandparents. One second, 504 00:35:11,719 --> 00:35:16,239 Speaker 1: it's important too, It's very important to make sure that 505 00:35:16,320 --> 00:35:19,600 Speaker 1: your best accommodate in what is good in that child's 506 00:35:19,640 --> 00:35:24,320 Speaker 1: great or good meaning. Research has proven that sign language 507 00:35:24,440 --> 00:35:28,239 Speaker 1: is always good a good start because babies don't have 508 00:35:28,280 --> 00:35:31,880 Speaker 1: a voice yet. So with babies not having a voice, 509 00:35:31,920 --> 00:35:34,720 Speaker 1: they're able to sign. You can teach them sign language, 510 00:35:35,160 --> 00:35:38,399 Speaker 1: you know, and then they're able to respond, so your 511 00:35:38,520 --> 00:35:42,000 Speaker 1: their language will develop faster compared to a baby who's 512 00:35:42,040 --> 00:35:50,640 Speaker 1: depending on language through voicing only. For example, um so 513 00:35:50,719 --> 00:35:53,480 Speaker 1: I went to elementary school and I learned sign language first, 514 00:35:54,560 --> 00:35:58,760 Speaker 1: but my family thought, you know, I would need speech 515 00:35:58,800 --> 00:36:04,000 Speaker 1: therapy as well. And so you know, speech therapy was 516 00:36:04,040 --> 00:36:10,480 Speaker 1: not great for me at all, because, um I learned speech, 517 00:36:11,160 --> 00:36:14,399 Speaker 1: but I understood. But just because you're learned speech doesn't 518 00:36:14,400 --> 00:36:18,560 Speaker 1: mean that you understand the language because speech and language, 519 00:36:19,080 --> 00:36:21,560 Speaker 1: you know, those two things have to be connected. So 520 00:36:21,680 --> 00:36:24,200 Speaker 1: I can learn speech. But if I'm only focusing on 521 00:36:24,200 --> 00:36:29,000 Speaker 1: how to speak correctly, but there is no understanding the 522 00:36:29,120 --> 00:36:33,160 Speaker 1: understanding of the language itself, then like for example, you know, 523 00:36:33,600 --> 00:36:37,360 Speaker 1: we learned like milk, so you know, we have to 524 00:36:37,440 --> 00:36:43,840 Speaker 1: understand what that sign means. And so my mother noticed 525 00:36:43,880 --> 00:36:46,920 Speaker 1: that you know, signing would best fit me all the 526 00:36:46,920 --> 00:36:49,040 Speaker 1: way and that I would learn how to sign. And 527 00:36:49,080 --> 00:36:52,320 Speaker 1: so that's how my language was able to develop and fast. 528 00:36:53,000 --> 00:36:58,839 Speaker 1: And I remember when I went to my parents teacher conference. Uh, 529 00:36:59,000 --> 00:37:01,600 Speaker 1: the p t A is the p t A. My 530 00:37:01,719 --> 00:37:05,520 Speaker 1: grandmother she was, she had a little bit, she had 531 00:37:05,560 --> 00:37:11,080 Speaker 1: some concerns about my learning in school, and the teacher said, 532 00:37:11,760 --> 00:37:16,320 Speaker 1: you know, honestly, you know she's doing great. Um, she's learning, 533 00:37:16,960 --> 00:37:20,000 Speaker 1: you know, you know, she just has to continue learning 534 00:37:20,080 --> 00:37:23,200 Speaker 1: from home. So also, you know, learning in school, but 535 00:37:23,280 --> 00:37:26,560 Speaker 1: also having that supplement to learning at home was important. 536 00:37:27,040 --> 00:37:35,640 Speaker 1: And so that's how that's how I was able to develop, um, 537 00:37:35,719 --> 00:37:41,680 Speaker 1: and my grades, you know from quarter one to quarter four. Um, 538 00:37:41,880 --> 00:37:44,600 Speaker 1: my grandmother looked at them and saw the progress and 539 00:37:44,640 --> 00:37:48,200 Speaker 1: noticed that I did develop by working on my signing, 540 00:37:48,800 --> 00:37:52,160 Speaker 1: and um, you know, speech wasn't helping me that much. 541 00:37:52,200 --> 00:37:54,680 Speaker 1: So they saw the results of me learning how to sign. 542 00:37:55,160 --> 00:37:59,520 Speaker 1: So my experience was from my understanding of you know, 543 00:37:59,600 --> 00:38:03,480 Speaker 1: other people may experience may differ, and their signing may 544 00:38:03,560 --> 00:38:06,920 Speaker 1: differ because everyone's not the same. But SI language definitely 545 00:38:06,920 --> 00:38:11,239 Speaker 1: has a benefit for everyone across the board, deaf or hearing. Listen, 546 00:38:11,360 --> 00:38:13,440 Speaker 1: your grandma was not playing with you. She's gonna make 547 00:38:13,480 --> 00:38:23,279 Speaker 1: sure you'd be okay in this world. Okay, death yep. Um, 548 00:38:23,320 --> 00:38:25,920 Speaker 1: can you also explain the difference between black as L 549 00:38:26,120 --> 00:38:29,960 Speaker 1: and as L, because I thought it was interesting to 550 00:38:30,120 --> 00:38:39,719 Speaker 1: find out that a lot of interpreters colds, which yeah, yeah, 551 00:38:40,320 --> 00:38:47,080 Speaker 1: So a s L and black ass L are very different. Um, 552 00:38:47,120 --> 00:38:51,279 Speaker 1: because black as L is created during a time of 553 00:38:51,320 --> 00:38:55,840 Speaker 1: separation Jim Crow, where black and white deaf people were separated. 554 00:38:56,400 --> 00:39:06,480 Speaker 1: And um, back then, black and white um deaf people, 555 00:39:14,040 --> 00:39:18,480 Speaker 1: we're separated. They they were separated, so they you know, 556 00:39:18,600 --> 00:39:21,560 Speaker 1: they were deaf too, but they were also black. And 557 00:39:21,560 --> 00:39:24,160 Speaker 1: then there were white deaf people. So they had a 558 00:39:24,200 --> 00:39:26,880 Speaker 1: white residential school, and then they had a black school 559 00:39:26,880 --> 00:39:30,879 Speaker 1: where death black deaf children went. And that is how 560 00:39:31,000 --> 00:39:34,160 Speaker 1: Black sign language was developed through the residential experiences at 561 00:39:34,160 --> 00:39:38,960 Speaker 1: black deaf schools. And for example, black people, how we 562 00:39:39,000 --> 00:39:45,720 Speaker 1: speak in ebonics. Um, black um AFL has their own language, 563 00:39:45,760 --> 00:39:49,279 Speaker 1: their own unique uh sign language. So we were able 564 00:39:49,360 --> 00:39:53,120 Speaker 1: to learn from black teachers, some have of them had 565 00:39:53,480 --> 00:39:55,120 Speaker 1: some of them were black and hearing, and some of 566 00:39:55,160 --> 00:39:57,239 Speaker 1: them were black deaf teachers, so there was a mix 567 00:39:57,320 --> 00:40:02,520 Speaker 1: of both. And as L you know, was typically developed 568 00:40:02,520 --> 00:40:09,040 Speaker 1: through white education, right, white education professionals regular standard as L, 569 00:40:09,800 --> 00:40:14,319 Speaker 1: and so that sign language was Um, that's where the 570 00:40:14,360 --> 00:40:17,520 Speaker 1: code switching comes in from, is that you have to 571 00:40:17,520 --> 00:40:20,279 Speaker 1: be able to be progressively used both for them. So 572 00:40:20,400 --> 00:40:24,799 Speaker 1: then once schools were mainstreamed and blacks and whites were 573 00:40:24,840 --> 00:40:27,320 Speaker 1: going to school together, you started to see the difference. 574 00:40:27,640 --> 00:40:31,520 Speaker 1: So af L is there, but it's just become very 575 00:40:31,560 --> 00:40:34,839 Speaker 1: you know, it's still UM sign language, but black af 576 00:40:34,880 --> 00:40:38,200 Speaker 1: still is still very prevalent. You know, when I was 577 00:40:38,239 --> 00:40:41,040 Speaker 1: on my research, and that's where um, the information that 578 00:40:41,120 --> 00:40:43,480 Speaker 1: you just said, that's what I read about. And I 579 00:40:43,520 --> 00:40:46,200 Speaker 1: couldn't imagine being a woman back back then and being 580 00:40:46,239 --> 00:41:00,279 Speaker 1: discriminated against due to race, deafness, and sexism. Yeah, yeah, yeah, 581 00:41:03,600 --> 00:41:05,960 Speaker 1: you know the black hair and woman experience, you know, 582 00:41:06,040 --> 00:41:10,160 Speaker 1: and the and the white woman experience. There's that and 583 00:41:10,200 --> 00:41:12,640 Speaker 1: then you know you have to go through like those 584 00:41:12,680 --> 00:41:15,920 Speaker 1: three things being black death and women and a woman. 585 00:41:16,120 --> 00:41:22,600 Speaker 1: So it's it's really awful, but you know, you become 586 00:41:23,280 --> 00:41:27,440 Speaker 1: used to certain things and you learn how to you know, accommodate, 587 00:41:27,560 --> 00:41:30,640 Speaker 1: you know, educate. You know, it's important that you respond 588 00:41:30,680 --> 00:41:33,400 Speaker 1: to that discrimination. You just can't let it fly by. 589 00:41:33,560 --> 00:41:38,480 Speaker 1: And so far, you know, there's been a little slight improvement, 590 00:41:38,760 --> 00:41:40,719 Speaker 1: but they're still so far to go. We still need 591 00:41:40,719 --> 00:41:44,320 Speaker 1: to exposure education. All these things are critical and making 592 00:41:44,400 --> 00:41:48,200 Speaker 1: the movement in the right direction. So what would you 593 00:41:48,280 --> 00:41:50,399 Speaker 1: say it's the best way to communicate with a deaf 594 00:41:50,480 --> 00:42:04,279 Speaker 1: person if they don't know how to sign. I would say, 595 00:42:04,280 --> 00:42:07,799 Speaker 1: first try texting, like on the phone you can show. UM, 596 00:42:07,840 --> 00:42:10,880 Speaker 1: that's a good way. And I noticed that some people 597 00:42:11,480 --> 00:42:16,960 Speaker 1: don't like writing. UM, so right, you know, now so far, 598 00:42:17,120 --> 00:42:20,399 Speaker 1: you know, you're starting to use voice notes. People are 599 00:42:20,440 --> 00:42:22,960 Speaker 1: able to click and speak what they want to say 600 00:42:23,000 --> 00:42:25,320 Speaker 1: and then it will pop up automatically so the person 601 00:42:25,360 --> 00:42:30,120 Speaker 1: can read it in real time. UM. But I think 602 00:42:30,200 --> 00:42:32,960 Speaker 1: that people are fine. You just have to be patient 603 00:42:33,000 --> 00:42:35,080 Speaker 1: and sometimes you can't get through writing notes back and 604 00:42:35,120 --> 00:42:39,160 Speaker 1: forth so people can understand how to communicate. Um. It 605 00:42:39,280 --> 00:42:43,319 Speaker 1: really depends on the perfect person's preference. UM, because some 606 00:42:43,760 --> 00:42:47,560 Speaker 1: you know, some people can't read lips, so it's important 607 00:42:47,600 --> 00:42:53,760 Speaker 1: to act. And then also remember that you know Starbucks coffee, UM, 608 00:42:53,800 --> 00:42:57,320 Speaker 1: I love it. I love Starbucks. I enjoy them, and 609 00:42:57,840 --> 00:43:03,440 Speaker 1: I think maybe it's insulting. But hold on one second. 610 00:43:03,640 --> 00:43:06,080 Speaker 1: I'm just gonna let you know. There was one time, 611 00:43:06,160 --> 00:43:15,640 Speaker 1: you know, in our culture, we really do sometimes okay, 612 00:43:15,719 --> 00:43:18,440 Speaker 1: sometimes like the people can be offensive, but it's not 613 00:43:18,520 --> 00:43:25,280 Speaker 1: with intention and so and so, like for example, like coffee, 614 00:43:25,320 --> 00:43:28,760 Speaker 1: like I enjoyed Starbucks. I remember one time I wanted 615 00:43:28,800 --> 00:43:31,920 Speaker 1: to order something and so I gave the bar resta 616 00:43:32,000 --> 00:43:34,520 Speaker 1: my phone and then the girl looked and she read 617 00:43:34,560 --> 00:43:36,160 Speaker 1: it and she said okay, So she put it in 618 00:43:36,200 --> 00:43:39,440 Speaker 1: the system and once it was finished, um, I let 619 00:43:39,480 --> 00:43:42,919 Speaker 1: her know. I was like, please, um you know, when 620 00:43:42,960 --> 00:43:45,040 Speaker 1: it called, let me know what my name is called. 621 00:43:45,480 --> 00:43:48,680 Speaker 1: And so she said okay, and then she started speaking 622 00:43:48,719 --> 00:43:51,839 Speaker 1: and I was like, hey, I can't hear, and you know, 623 00:43:51,960 --> 00:43:57,080 Speaker 1: so she started writing down what she said and it said, 624 00:44:02,440 --> 00:44:04,880 Speaker 1: so she asked me. She asked me, and when she 625 00:44:04,880 --> 00:44:07,480 Speaker 1: wrote me, she's like, can I hear my name? And 626 00:44:07,560 --> 00:44:12,799 Speaker 1: so I looked at that and I was like, and 627 00:44:12,840 --> 00:44:14,719 Speaker 1: so I was. So I wrote back and I said, 628 00:44:14,760 --> 00:44:19,120 Speaker 1: why are you writing right now? And so I was like, 629 00:44:19,760 --> 00:44:21,880 Speaker 1: she was like, oh okay. So you know, I had 630 00:44:21,920 --> 00:44:25,080 Speaker 1: to make it clear that, you know, I need to 631 00:44:25,080 --> 00:44:27,080 Speaker 1: know what my name is being called. I felt bad, 632 00:44:27,120 --> 00:44:28,880 Speaker 1: but you know, it had to be a teaching lesson, 633 00:44:29,040 --> 00:44:33,160 Speaker 1: you know, to realize that people. Um, I realized that 634 00:44:33,200 --> 00:44:38,359 Speaker 1: people thought writing back and forth is still talking and 635 00:44:38,400 --> 00:44:42,240 Speaker 1: it's like, it's it's interesting. It's really interesting that people 636 00:44:42,320 --> 00:44:44,560 Speaker 1: think that that's still talking. So that was one thing 637 00:44:45,080 --> 00:44:49,799 Speaker 1: that I've no well, for one at people don't like 638 00:44:49,800 --> 00:44:51,319 Speaker 1: the right because a lot of people don't know how 639 00:44:51,360 --> 00:44:58,920 Speaker 1: to spell. Yeah, that's true. That is true. That is 640 00:44:58,960 --> 00:45:02,680 Speaker 1: true until um when you ment to the comment, but 641 00:45:02,800 --> 00:45:04,239 Speaker 1: can't I hear my name? A lot of people don't 642 00:45:04,280 --> 00:45:13,680 Speaker 1: have common sense, right, right, I was. I felt a 643 00:45:13,719 --> 00:45:17,040 Speaker 1: little embarrassed by that, um, But then I realized, like 644 00:45:17,120 --> 00:45:20,560 Speaker 1: it's really not her fault because you know, you know, 645 00:45:20,600 --> 00:45:24,279 Speaker 1: maybe she was nervous or maybe you know, it was 646 00:45:24,360 --> 00:45:27,560 Speaker 1: really an innocent question that was being act And at 647 00:45:27,600 --> 00:45:30,520 Speaker 1: that time, you know, I was angry because I wanted 648 00:45:30,560 --> 00:45:32,960 Speaker 1: my coffee, you know, I really I was. You know, 649 00:45:32,960 --> 00:45:34,920 Speaker 1: I was ready for my coffee, you know, So I 650 00:45:34,960 --> 00:45:38,640 Speaker 1: didn't feel like educating and writing back and forth for 651 00:45:38,719 --> 00:45:40,239 Speaker 1: that moment. You know, I just want to get my 652 00:45:40,239 --> 00:45:44,479 Speaker 1: coffee and I want to bounce. So that was Yeah, 653 00:45:44,600 --> 00:45:48,400 Speaker 1: that's how it went down. Now, let's talk about your 654 00:45:48,560 --> 00:45:57,920 Speaker 1: entrepreneurship journey. What made you decide to start a business. Okay, 655 00:45:59,440 --> 00:46:03,399 Speaker 1: so so you see you shut of have on it's 656 00:46:03,440 --> 00:46:12,000 Speaker 1: a self love and ything. So three around three or 657 00:46:12,000 --> 00:46:26,040 Speaker 1: four years ago, during the Black Lives Matter movement, Um, 658 00:46:26,080 --> 00:46:31,360 Speaker 1: I was very I was every lost. I was. I 659 00:46:31,400 --> 00:46:35,960 Speaker 1: had a feeling of feeling lost, feeling like that's it, 660 00:46:36,360 --> 00:46:39,200 Speaker 1: like I should do something like that, like, you know, 661 00:46:39,600 --> 00:46:42,760 Speaker 1: we love black lives. I really cherish and value black people. 662 00:46:43,360 --> 00:46:46,319 Speaker 1: You know, I love our lives, and and I just 663 00:46:48,400 --> 00:46:51,440 Speaker 1: black Lives Matter started, it started, you know, becoming a 664 00:46:51,480 --> 00:46:53,680 Speaker 1: big thing, and it was all over the all over 665 00:46:53,680 --> 00:46:59,920 Speaker 1: the place, and I noticed that Black Lives Matter shirts, 666 00:47:00,719 --> 00:47:05,319 Speaker 1: um and on papers everything. But I was wondering where 667 00:47:05,320 --> 00:47:09,759 Speaker 1: it wasn't sign language because black death men, you know, 668 00:47:09,760 --> 00:47:12,600 Speaker 1: we're getting murdered by the police as well many times too. 669 00:47:13,040 --> 00:47:16,319 Speaker 1: Black deaf men were also victims of police brutality. You know, 670 00:47:16,400 --> 00:47:18,920 Speaker 1: they were also locked up in jail for crimes that 671 00:47:18,960 --> 00:47:21,959 Speaker 1: they didn't commit in innocent. So you know, deaf people 672 00:47:22,000 --> 00:47:25,480 Speaker 1: were also being taken advantage of and being oppressed by 673 00:47:25,480 --> 00:47:28,800 Speaker 1: the system. And so I felt like why not start 674 00:47:28,880 --> 00:47:32,520 Speaker 1: to do something that is gonna add you know, sign 675 00:47:32,600 --> 00:47:35,680 Speaker 1: language and put it down. And I also thought that, 676 00:47:35,760 --> 00:47:38,480 Speaker 1: you know, I wanted to sell locally, Like I was thinking, 677 00:47:38,520 --> 00:47:44,839 Speaker 1: maybe I can raise some funds and you know, and 678 00:47:45,080 --> 00:47:51,800 Speaker 1: I it went viral, so you know, I started getting 679 00:47:51,840 --> 00:47:56,319 Speaker 1: a lot of shares um and so then I was 680 00:47:56,680 --> 00:47:59,759 Speaker 1: like wow, you know, and then it became really successful, 681 00:48:00,520 --> 00:48:03,120 Speaker 1: and so I don't think that My goal and my 682 00:48:03,160 --> 00:48:06,000 Speaker 1: intention was to start a business. But then people kept 683 00:48:06,000 --> 00:48:08,000 Speaker 1: asking me. They kept one or more things. It was 684 00:48:08,040 --> 00:48:10,319 Speaker 1: like one, I want this, I'm like that, and so 685 00:48:10,400 --> 00:48:13,000 Speaker 1: then I was like, why not set up with business? 686 00:48:13,440 --> 00:48:18,440 Speaker 1: And so this was the set. So I had a 687 00:48:18,440 --> 00:48:24,480 Speaker 1: second fundraiser, and um, it was progressing really well. I 688 00:48:24,520 --> 00:48:27,359 Speaker 1: did the first two fundraisers and I was like, I'm 689 00:48:27,360 --> 00:48:29,280 Speaker 1: gonna wrap it up, but I'm not gonna do anymore. 690 00:48:29,920 --> 00:48:33,879 Speaker 1: And then when the deadline passed, you know, I was like, think, 691 00:48:33,960 --> 00:48:36,880 Speaker 1: I think that one for their support. And then you know, 692 00:48:36,920 --> 00:48:38,759 Speaker 1: people was like are you still selling shirts? And I 693 00:48:38,840 --> 00:48:42,040 Speaker 1: was like no, I'm done, and people like no, please continue, 694 00:48:42,080 --> 00:48:45,239 Speaker 1: please continue, And so then I was like, you know, 695 00:48:45,440 --> 00:48:47,239 Speaker 1: really thought about it. I really had to sit with 696 00:48:47,320 --> 00:48:50,560 Speaker 1: that thought. I did research about how to do things, 697 00:48:51,080 --> 00:48:56,360 Speaker 1: and then I decided to post on Facebook and Instagram 698 00:48:56,400 --> 00:49:00,160 Speaker 1: and I started maybe back a few years ago, so yeah, 699 00:48:59,880 --> 00:49:03,280 Speaker 1: I started and then it went all. It took off fast, 700 00:49:04,040 --> 00:49:08,480 Speaker 1: and I was really in shock because you know, everything 701 00:49:08,480 --> 00:49:11,640 Speaker 1: that had happened, and you know, I was like, why 702 00:49:11,680 --> 00:49:16,200 Speaker 1: not start with that and Black Lives Matter t shirts? 703 00:49:16,320 --> 00:49:18,839 Speaker 1: And then that change and then I started adding more 704 00:49:18,880 --> 00:49:21,640 Speaker 1: to the collection more um sil language like that. When 705 00:49:21,640 --> 00:49:26,200 Speaker 1: I have one, I said self love, um our, black 706 00:49:26,239 --> 00:49:34,560 Speaker 1: girl magic was one of um do not touch my 707 00:49:34,640 --> 00:49:37,720 Speaker 1: hair was another one of them. So I gradually started 708 00:49:37,719 --> 00:49:40,719 Speaker 1: adding different shirts to in in apparel to the collection, 709 00:49:41,239 --> 00:49:44,600 Speaker 1: and I realized that not only Black lives but I 710 00:49:44,640 --> 00:49:48,000 Speaker 1: also wanted to educate black about that Black deaf culture 711 00:49:48,400 --> 00:49:51,279 Speaker 1: because you know, that's still that aspect that's there. You know, 712 00:49:51,440 --> 00:49:55,400 Speaker 1: it's very important, you know, to be black death. You know, 713 00:49:55,480 --> 00:49:57,759 Speaker 1: Black culture is out there, but black death culture is 714 00:49:57,800 --> 00:50:00,279 Speaker 1: not known on the same scale. So ill some wants 715 00:50:00,280 --> 00:50:03,480 Speaker 1: to take the opportunity to inform others about black black 716 00:50:03,520 --> 00:50:07,960 Speaker 1: deaf culture. Now that's amazing because when I was on 717 00:50:08,120 --> 00:50:12,200 Speaker 1: my research, you were one of the only black women 718 00:50:12,360 --> 00:50:15,319 Speaker 1: woman that I saw that was like really trying to 719 00:50:15,400 --> 00:50:32,279 Speaker 1: push the black deaf community and bring more awareness to it. Yes, 720 00:50:36,719 --> 00:50:41,239 Speaker 1: it's very hard. It's it is very hard. Um you 721 00:50:41,280 --> 00:50:44,279 Speaker 1: know the context, like you know, things can get out 722 00:50:44,960 --> 00:50:47,799 Speaker 1: or you know, they cannot take off, so fast, so 723 00:50:47,920 --> 00:50:50,840 Speaker 1: it's important that I keep going. And then I noticed 724 00:50:50,880 --> 00:50:55,280 Speaker 1: that other black deaf people started to um get involved 725 00:50:55,280 --> 00:50:58,719 Speaker 1: in the process, so you know, it's there, it's out there. 726 00:50:59,200 --> 00:51:03,840 Speaker 1: Black the black community inside we noticed like internally, but 727 00:51:04,080 --> 00:51:06,560 Speaker 1: you know, we were scared to come out of our 728 00:51:07,920 --> 00:51:10,360 Speaker 1: black deaf community to get noticed. So it was you know, 729 00:51:10,440 --> 00:51:12,600 Speaker 1: it was a slow, gradual process for more people to 730 00:51:12,640 --> 00:51:15,880 Speaker 1: come out and join the Moon movement. I noticed that 731 00:51:15,920 --> 00:51:19,520 Speaker 1: black deaf people who sign music, you know, you know, 732 00:51:19,680 --> 00:51:21,719 Speaker 1: we see that and they do it really well. And 733 00:51:21,760 --> 00:51:25,880 Speaker 1: so I'm proud of them. Because black deaf businesses started 734 00:51:25,920 --> 00:51:29,759 Speaker 1: growing as well through this impact and this influence, and 735 00:51:29,920 --> 00:51:32,760 Speaker 1: you know, and it's still not enough, you know, you understand, 736 00:51:32,800 --> 00:51:34,880 Speaker 1: we still have to keep pushing. We still have to 737 00:51:34,960 --> 00:51:38,839 Speaker 1: be supporting each other and uplifting each other, and you know, 738 00:51:38,960 --> 00:51:41,120 Speaker 1: and well, we can get there. It's something, it's a 739 00:51:41,160 --> 00:51:44,760 Speaker 1: goal that's attainable, and we can get there. No, that's amazing. 740 00:51:45,560 --> 00:51:48,240 Speaker 1: But I also think this speaks to you being an activist, 741 00:51:48,320 --> 00:51:52,640 Speaker 1: because if I'm not mistaken, you've been an activist for 742 00:51:52,719 --> 00:52:01,799 Speaker 1: over twelve years, assistant in many organizations. So I was 743 00:52:01,920 --> 00:52:11,680 Speaker 1: involved in a nonprofit organization and you know, the deaf community, volunteering, fundraising, advertising, marketing, 744 00:52:11,760 --> 00:52:15,080 Speaker 1: present presentations. I mean I've done. I ran the gamut 745 00:52:15,560 --> 00:52:18,359 Speaker 1: and I had a group of people of Black Death 746 00:52:18,480 --> 00:52:23,440 Speaker 1: leaders and though it was Black death leadership, and so 747 00:52:23,560 --> 00:52:27,279 Speaker 1: many of them were black deaf leaders who you know 748 00:52:27,440 --> 00:52:33,080 Speaker 1: quit you know too fast, and um, many of us 749 00:52:33,320 --> 00:52:38,160 Speaker 1: did not have Many of us black deaf people did 750 00:52:38,200 --> 00:52:40,520 Speaker 1: not have a lot of role models. We didn't have 751 00:52:40,600 --> 00:52:44,080 Speaker 1: any mentors. We didn't have people who we could look 752 00:52:44,160 --> 00:52:47,080 Speaker 1: up to. And so through we had to go through 753 00:52:47,080 --> 00:52:51,680 Speaker 1: it alone, and we didn't have much support. We can 754 00:52:51,760 --> 00:52:55,440 Speaker 1: have a support system that we needed. And so to 755 00:52:55,520 --> 00:52:57,000 Speaker 1: give a present, you know, I had to give a 756 00:52:57,040 --> 00:53:01,480 Speaker 1: presentation to them and most of us, you know, we 757 00:53:01,680 --> 00:53:05,920 Speaker 1: survived through oppression alone. We went through that experience alone. 758 00:53:06,320 --> 00:53:16,000 Speaker 1: We had friends and family, UM, co workers and you 759 00:53:16,280 --> 00:53:27,880 Speaker 1: one second, we depended on our family, friends and co 760 00:53:28,000 --> 00:53:31,200 Speaker 1: workers and we talked to them every day. We made 761 00:53:31,280 --> 00:53:35,600 Speaker 1: calls or we were having conversations. We were um getting 762 00:53:35,719 --> 00:53:38,239 Speaker 1: making time to get together to be around each other 763 00:53:38,680 --> 00:53:40,960 Speaker 1: because we needed to get out of our comfort zone. 764 00:53:41,360 --> 00:53:43,239 Speaker 1: That was really important that we stepped out of that 765 00:53:43,320 --> 00:53:49,640 Speaker 1: comfort zone, UM to make progress. And I also think 766 00:53:49,680 --> 00:53:53,040 Speaker 1: that speaks to why your business was so successful, because 767 00:53:53,080 --> 00:54:04,400 Speaker 1: people need to see that because they can relate to it. Yeah, definitely, 768 00:54:04,920 --> 00:54:08,719 Speaker 1: but mostly people thought, you know, success happens overnight and 769 00:54:08,800 --> 00:54:13,279 Speaker 1: it doesn't. You know, nothing happens overnight. And people uh 770 00:54:13,560 --> 00:54:15,960 Speaker 1: feel like you know, they start a business or whatever 771 00:54:16,000 --> 00:54:19,120 Speaker 1: they do. You know, they started and then they quit, 772 00:54:19,320 --> 00:54:21,560 Speaker 1: you know, less than a year or two years. Like 773 00:54:21,600 --> 00:54:24,799 Speaker 1: you have to put your time in um. You know, 774 00:54:24,960 --> 00:54:29,480 Speaker 1: it's it's frustrating. It really is frustrating because if you 775 00:54:29,640 --> 00:54:32,799 Speaker 1: really want this, you'll do it. You'll go out there, 776 00:54:32,880 --> 00:54:36,120 Speaker 1: you'll enjoy your passion. You would do what you need 777 00:54:36,160 --> 00:54:39,719 Speaker 1: to do. And so most of the time people you know, 778 00:54:40,160 --> 00:54:43,200 Speaker 1: you know, they think business is fun. It's great. You know, 779 00:54:43,400 --> 00:54:47,080 Speaker 1: you have to invest your time. You have to. You 780 00:54:47,120 --> 00:54:50,839 Speaker 1: know you have to. Sometimes you're not sleeping, and you 781 00:54:50,840 --> 00:54:53,280 Speaker 1: know it will be frustrating. You will have your days 782 00:54:53,400 --> 00:54:55,680 Speaker 1: and you will lose some money. You know, it's a 783 00:54:55,719 --> 00:54:58,799 Speaker 1: part of business. But it's be worth it in the end, 784 00:54:58,960 --> 00:55:02,200 Speaker 1: it will be worth all back. And then I literally 785 00:55:02,200 --> 00:55:04,960 Speaker 1: just had this conversation with Chanyenne because I was telling 786 00:55:04,960 --> 00:55:08,160 Speaker 1: her how I felt. I feel so horrible, But I 787 00:55:08,160 --> 00:55:11,040 Speaker 1: think it's because you know, with lack of sleep, not 788 00:55:11,280 --> 00:55:15,000 Speaker 1: eating and just like continuously working on this business and 789 00:55:15,080 --> 00:55:17,680 Speaker 1: to have my nine five, Like it's really taking an effect. 790 00:55:17,719 --> 00:55:20,880 Speaker 1: And I think that people think entrepreneurship is so attractive. 791 00:55:21,360 --> 00:55:32,239 Speaker 1: It's a lot of damn work. Oh yes, yes, definitely, 792 00:55:32,800 --> 00:55:36,640 Speaker 1: Yeah it was. You know, when I had my nine 793 00:55:36,719 --> 00:55:39,040 Speaker 1: to five job and I also was running this business, 794 00:55:39,080 --> 00:55:41,480 Speaker 1: it was a lot. It was. It was I was like, 795 00:55:41,520 --> 00:55:45,360 Speaker 1: oh no, it was just it was a lot. But 796 00:55:53,440 --> 00:55:58,480 Speaker 1: I remember my first year, you know, you know it 797 00:55:58,560 --> 00:56:01,480 Speaker 1: was it was you know, my first year I decided 798 00:56:01,520 --> 00:56:03,319 Speaker 1: to leave my nine to five and focus on my 799 00:56:03,360 --> 00:56:06,279 Speaker 1: business primarily. And then that's when it took off. And 800 00:56:06,320 --> 00:56:09,239 Speaker 1: so I appreciated that, and you know I had to 801 00:56:09,280 --> 00:56:13,960 Speaker 1: invest my time, my tension, my focus, my dedication into 802 00:56:14,040 --> 00:56:20,239 Speaker 1: that and at that time, I at that time, I 803 00:56:20,280 --> 00:56:23,880 Speaker 1: was met you know, managing schedules, um, investing you know, 804 00:56:24,000 --> 00:56:27,200 Speaker 1: my time. And then you know, things were a little rocket. 805 00:56:27,480 --> 00:56:30,360 Speaker 1: You know, it was tough, but at first, but it smooved, 806 00:56:30,520 --> 00:56:35,520 Speaker 1: it smooved itself out, and you know I learned that, Um, 807 00:56:35,560 --> 00:56:39,319 Speaker 1: it's very important to take a break and indulge in 808 00:56:39,360 --> 00:56:43,759 Speaker 1: self care. Um, It's it's important because I did take 809 00:56:43,800 --> 00:56:50,560 Speaker 1: a break around a few months into the business. Um, 810 00:56:50,600 --> 00:56:52,520 Speaker 1: I did take a break for a few months later, 811 00:56:52,560 --> 00:56:54,600 Speaker 1: and then I came back and I felt we vitalized. 812 00:56:54,640 --> 00:56:57,000 Speaker 1: I felt like my energy was up. And then, you know, 813 00:56:57,080 --> 00:56:59,600 Speaker 1: I noticed when I took those breaks, you know, I 814 00:56:59,640 --> 00:57:02,160 Speaker 1: was a will to sit on myself and analyze myself, 815 00:57:02,520 --> 00:57:04,360 Speaker 1: you know, you know, and I and I made it 816 00:57:04,400 --> 00:57:06,520 Speaker 1: a practice to make sure that I was taking those breaks. 817 00:57:06,719 --> 00:57:10,120 Speaker 1: And I needed to take those breaks because you know, 818 00:57:10,239 --> 00:57:13,399 Speaker 1: we get overwhelmed, especially in the black community. We get 819 00:57:13,440 --> 00:57:15,840 Speaker 1: so used to be and worn out and work towards 820 00:57:15,960 --> 00:57:19,360 Speaker 1: too exhaustion. And that's not right, that's not that's not 821 00:57:19,440 --> 00:57:21,480 Speaker 1: something we should do. We should be thinking about our 822 00:57:21,480 --> 00:57:25,920 Speaker 1: health first, which is a priority. And then, you know, 823 00:57:26,000 --> 00:57:28,840 Speaker 1: when I noticed it, I made it a priority. I 824 00:57:28,880 --> 00:57:30,960 Speaker 1: took breaks. You know, I wasn't in the rush, I 825 00:57:31,000 --> 00:57:34,720 Speaker 1: wasn't pushing things. You know, I didn't give up. We 826 00:57:35,680 --> 00:57:37,640 Speaker 1: the problem is that we really need to think that 827 00:57:37,680 --> 00:57:41,360 Speaker 1: everything needs to be perfect, and you know, and that 828 00:57:41,480 --> 00:57:44,000 Speaker 1: leads to exhaustion and burn out easy when you're just 829 00:57:44,520 --> 00:57:48,200 Speaker 1: so home gung hole and making sure everything's perfect and 830 00:57:48,240 --> 00:57:50,640 Speaker 1: having to learn how to relax, how to and learn 831 00:57:50,680 --> 00:57:54,360 Speaker 1: how to enjoy the journey because life is short. Life 832 00:57:54,400 --> 00:57:57,520 Speaker 1: is really short, and so you know, those are valuable 833 00:57:57,600 --> 00:58:01,520 Speaker 1: lessons that I've learned. Okay, two more questions, ladies, and 834 00:58:01,520 --> 00:58:06,920 Speaker 1: then we're almost done. Okay, So I was gonna ask 835 00:58:06,920 --> 00:58:08,560 Speaker 1: you this question, but I'm gonna squatch this question. I 836 00:58:08,560 --> 00:58:11,200 Speaker 1: want to ask you another question. UM, So, how can 837 00:58:11,280 --> 00:58:14,440 Speaker 1: we help the Black Deaf community, because you know, I 838 00:58:14,480 --> 00:58:17,800 Speaker 1: think that by I was so excited by doing this interview, 839 00:58:17,840 --> 00:58:20,520 Speaker 1: like I said, because I think it's very informative and 840 00:58:20,560 --> 00:58:24,160 Speaker 1: I think that people need to know more about what 841 00:58:25,000 --> 00:58:27,680 Speaker 1: people of color go through, especially when they are either 842 00:58:27,720 --> 00:58:29,960 Speaker 1: DELF a blind weather case. Maybe. So, how can we 843 00:58:30,000 --> 00:58:37,840 Speaker 1: support you more or support the Black deaf community? Okay, 844 00:58:37,920 --> 00:58:40,280 Speaker 1: so that is a good question, and I appreciate that 845 00:58:40,360 --> 00:58:44,520 Speaker 1: you asked me that. And the back death community needs 846 00:58:44,560 --> 00:58:50,600 Speaker 1: to get more recognition. UM. We need to have a 847 00:58:50,680 --> 00:58:55,640 Speaker 1: nonprofit organization called in dB A, which is the National 848 00:58:55,840 --> 00:59:02,080 Speaker 1: Black Deaf Advocates and they have have an organization that 849 00:59:02,240 --> 00:59:06,320 Speaker 1: is for the UH Black Deaf community and allies alike 850 00:59:06,440 --> 00:59:12,840 Speaker 1: who support UM through finding jobs, fundraising, UM, enjoying different 851 00:59:12,880 --> 00:59:16,920 Speaker 1: social activities. Um n DBA has a conference every two 852 00:59:17,000 --> 00:59:26,320 Speaker 1: years and UM, we do have many good Black Deaf teachers, 853 00:59:26,840 --> 00:59:31,080 Speaker 1: and not only teachers, but also Black ASL professors as well. 854 00:59:31,560 --> 00:59:35,720 Speaker 1: They have classes and UM you can learn and take 855 00:59:35,760 --> 00:59:40,320 Speaker 1: workshops about it. So for I think black as L 856 00:59:40,400 --> 00:59:44,280 Speaker 1: there is a book you can get UM how do 857 00:59:44,520 --> 00:59:49,320 Speaker 1: we be supporters and interact and have you know, be 858 00:59:49,440 --> 00:59:51,720 Speaker 1: an ally of the Black Deaf community. There's a workshop 859 00:59:51,760 --> 00:59:56,360 Speaker 1: about that. UM. Black Deaf businesses, you know, make sure 860 00:59:56,400 --> 01:00:01,040 Speaker 1: that we're supporting them, black black Deaf musicians and and signers. 861 01:00:01,080 --> 01:00:04,120 Speaker 1: There's so many ways that we can support you know, 862 01:00:04,240 --> 01:00:07,680 Speaker 1: you can click like, share a page, Facebook, Instagram, you 863 01:00:07,680 --> 01:00:10,640 Speaker 1: know the power of social media, and so many things 864 01:00:11,000 --> 01:00:15,240 Speaker 1: depend on how people prefer to engage. So what I 865 01:00:15,280 --> 01:00:17,040 Speaker 1: will do is make sure, you know, make sure that 866 01:00:17,080 --> 01:00:20,360 Speaker 1: you're advertising your business and getting people out there. Like 867 01:00:20,400 --> 01:00:23,600 Speaker 1: when I think about UM. A few years ago, I 868 01:00:23,720 --> 01:00:31,200 Speaker 1: learned that UM California, they have a Black Death business 869 01:00:31,240 --> 01:00:35,920 Speaker 1: hosting event. Someone there's a planner and they host black 870 01:00:35,960 --> 01:00:38,800 Speaker 1: death you know events and business owners, and I thought 871 01:00:38,800 --> 01:00:42,040 Speaker 1: that was really cool to see that black death event. 872 01:00:42,440 --> 01:00:46,080 Speaker 1: An event planner is hosting something for black death business 873 01:00:46,080 --> 01:00:49,680 Speaker 1: owners and so you know, one of the events you 874 01:00:49,680 --> 01:00:52,880 Speaker 1: can go and support that person and you know, see 875 01:00:53,200 --> 01:00:56,360 Speaker 1: you know, the amazing things that they're doing. And if 876 01:00:59,720 --> 01:01:02,600 Speaker 1: and if you want to go see a comedian show, uh, 877 01:01:02,720 --> 01:01:06,160 Speaker 1: comedy show, uh, make sure that the interpreter is there, 878 01:01:06,280 --> 01:01:08,600 Speaker 1: and make sure that you know there's an interpreter that 879 01:01:08,640 --> 01:01:12,320 Speaker 1: has their own agency that specializes in that. UM. So, 880 01:01:12,440 --> 01:01:16,320 Speaker 1: like before, we didn't have that opportunity. Those opportunities weren't 881 01:01:16,520 --> 01:01:21,000 Speaker 1: wasn't afforded to us. And so we're really thankful, you know, 882 01:01:21,120 --> 01:01:23,720 Speaker 1: through our networks that we were able to build such 883 01:01:23,760 --> 01:01:31,320 Speaker 1: a thriving community. Amazing and last one, not least, if 884 01:01:31,320 --> 01:01:33,560 Speaker 1: there is one sound that you would like to hear, 885 01:01:33,840 --> 01:01:50,640 Speaker 1: what would it be? I would? I wish I could 886 01:01:50,680 --> 01:01:53,200 Speaker 1: hear music. I hear the base. I can hear the 887 01:01:53,200 --> 01:01:57,080 Speaker 1: base of the music. UM. So some people can hear 888 01:01:57,120 --> 01:02:00,880 Speaker 1: the words UM, but for me, I can't hear that. 889 01:02:00,920 --> 01:02:03,880 Speaker 1: I can't hear anything. UM. I am a hundred percent 890 01:02:04,000 --> 01:02:08,800 Speaker 1: death and so so I wish, you know, I could 891 01:02:08,800 --> 01:02:15,800 Speaker 1: hear the music. UM so I can feel the beat. 892 01:02:15,840 --> 01:02:19,240 Speaker 1: I can hear the beat. UM. And so what I 893 01:02:19,360 --> 01:02:24,680 Speaker 1: do is I have an app called Shazam, and um 894 01:02:24,680 --> 01:02:30,480 Speaker 1: I clicked that and when I clicked that app, you know, 895 01:02:30,600 --> 01:02:32,720 Speaker 1: it comes up and it tells me the name of 896 01:02:32,760 --> 01:02:42,640 Speaker 1: the song. So for like one second, for like Alicia Keys, 897 01:02:42,680 --> 01:02:45,920 Speaker 1: for example, it'll tell me the singer and you know, 898 01:02:46,360 --> 01:02:50,200 Speaker 1: you know, it'll tell me the song, um, what song 899 01:02:50,320 --> 01:02:53,919 Speaker 1: it is when it pops up on Shazam. So I'm 900 01:02:53,960 --> 01:02:57,840 Speaker 1: able to see the name the song and I can follow, 901 01:02:58,280 --> 01:03:01,080 Speaker 1: you know, the lyrics and see the song is saying. 902 01:03:01,120 --> 01:03:03,280 Speaker 1: So that's what I really enjoy. I would definitely want 903 01:03:03,280 --> 01:03:05,440 Speaker 1: to hear the music. Oh night. Do you have a 904 01:03:05,440 --> 01:03:22,120 Speaker 1: favorite singer? Yes, I love I love whiz Kid. I 905 01:03:22,200 --> 01:03:28,600 Speaker 1: love whiz Kid. Um, the Nigerian guy, the afrobe artists, Um, 906 01:03:28,600 --> 01:03:34,280 Speaker 1: when I go to Nigeria. You know the rhythm, you know, 907 01:03:34,320 --> 01:03:37,720 Speaker 1: it's so easy to follow the music. You know, you 908 01:03:37,720 --> 01:03:39,920 Speaker 1: can groove with it. I'm like, this is good. I 909 01:03:40,040 --> 01:03:43,960 Speaker 1: like this rhythm. So yeah, definitely whiz Kid. And do 910 01:03:44,000 --> 01:03:54,480 Speaker 1: you have a favorite female rapper? I wonder if she's 911 01:03:54,480 --> 01:04:17,840 Speaker 1: a Barb meganus out here. Yeah, I'm making the stallion. Well, 912 01:04:17,920 --> 01:04:21,920 Speaker 1: I'm so appreciative of you Shyanne for assisting in this 913 01:04:22,520 --> 01:04:25,760 Speaker 1: amazing conversation to my guests. I really do appreciate you 914 01:04:25,800 --> 01:04:28,240 Speaker 1: taking the time out to inform us and educate us 915 01:04:28,240 --> 01:04:31,400 Speaker 1: on the black deaf community. UM to the listeners. If 916 01:04:31,440 --> 01:04:33,720 Speaker 1: you have any questions, comments, concerns, please make sure to 917 01:04:33,720 --> 01:04:37,120 Speaker 1: email me at Hello at the PhD podcast dot com. 918 01:04:37,200 --> 01:04:41,680 Speaker 1: And I thought that was amazing ladies. Until next time, 919 01:04:41,720 --> 01:04:43,240 Speaker 1: everyone Later,