UNTOLD STORIES OF BLACK DEAF MEN

Saturday, February 25, 2012
2:00 - 4:00 PM
UH Main Campus
Farish Hall - Kiva Room
FREE

Register at http://asli2012.eventbrite.com/

Attend the second annual "Untold Stories" event presented by the American Sign Language Interpreting Program to learn about the realities of life in America for Black Deaf men.

Distinguished Panel Members:

Mr. Marcus Sylvestor is a graduate of Barbara Jordan High School in Houston and he attended the Rochestor Institute of Technology (RIT). He served on the board for the Dean of Student Advisors at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID).

Mr. Rodney van Manen is a graduate of the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD) located on Gallaudet campus (Washington, DC). Currently, he works as the UH ASLI language tutor, providing his language expertise to students enrolled in ASLI courses at UH. He recently relocated from Canada to Texas.

Mr. John Marcelle received his first Master's degree in theological studies in 2001. In 2007, he completed his second Master's degree in Deaf Studies & Deaf Education. He is a member of the Speak Gospel Hands choir and also serves as a volunteer interpreter for his church. He has been employed as an Educator of the Deaf for nearly a decade.

Mr. Willie Woodson, Jr. was the first Deaf person to successfully complete a program at Lamar University in 1976. In 1995, he spearheaded the creation of the Black Deaf Advocates (the Houston chapter) and went on to serve as an officer on the city and national level of this organization. Currently, he is planning his retirement from the Texas Health and Human Services after 20 years of service.

Mr. Tyran Lee is the founder of the Deaf Youth Program for the City of El Paso. Currently, he works as an ASL Instructor at Atascocita High School. He serves on the Governor's Board for the Texas School of the Deaf (TSD) in Austin.

Panel Moderator:
Mrs. Sharon Grigsby Hill, MBA is an Assistant Professor in the UH ASL Interpreting Program. Currently, she holds DARS BEI Master Level certification. She also serves as Secretary for the DARS Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI).