Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Moreman

Hi Dr. Sarah Elizabeth, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

I do not want the starting point of my story to be when I was born profoundly bilateral sensorineural deaf. However, I must share this because it is integral to understanding my journey and how I got to where I am today, accomplishing many things with determination and diligence.

Having published poetry collections titled *Reclaiming Calla Lilies* and *Was sie sieht | What she sees*, my forthcoming collection, *ThreeS into Infinity*, chronicles my cochlear implantation journey. Initially, I did not want to undergo cochlear implantation. However, when I learned that I was selected to be part of the TEDxBirmingham 2018 cohort as a speaker, my first step of action was to schedule the surgery. This was not an impulsive decision but one made after eleven months of researching, interviewing, and evaluating the benefits and risks of cochlear implantation. Even after this extensive process, I was still uncertain until I received the email congratulating me on being selected as a TEDx speaker. That moment made me realize the significance of living out the message in my proposed talk. I was, and still am, the message of my TEDx talk.

The idea I share is about embracing frustration as a learning opportunity to improve communication and seek genuine connection. I was willing to do whatever it took for the audience to understand me. I did not undergo the surgery for myself but to set an example of my commitment to clear communication. My TEDx talk, “Frustration Can Teach Us to Communicate and Connect,” emphasizes turning challenges into learning opportunities for better communication.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Why I would like to stand up and speak in front of others is driven by my desire to help instill within others the understanding that they have a voice to express.

My hearing impairment alone is a challenge, and I seek ways to communicate as effectively as possible in any situation. In a conversation with my friend, Alabama’s Poet Laureate Ashley M. Jones, I explained my motivation for seeking the role of Birmingham’s or Alabama’s Poet Laureate. My intention is to contribute to the community through teaching and sharing poetry, guided by the principle: “I know you may not understand what I am saying, but let me help you.” Sharing poetry presents a similar challenge; many people do not understand poetry. By adding my hearing impairment into the mix, I can help others understand poetry and develop creative strategies for interacting with people they may not fully understand.

The value of poetry lies in having a voice. Each semester, I teach at Jefferson State Community College, guiding over 50 students in using the elements of poetry to analyze various types of literary works, including films, novels, speeches, and art. When I was in college at Auburn University, searching for my voice while striving for As in my English classes, it was not until Dr. Judy Troy leaned over my paper and wrote a comment that left an indelible mark on my heart: “You should take poetry. You are a poet.”

At the time, I did not dare to hope in her words because I allowed the world’s perspective on acceptable communication to repeatedly crush me, letting my insecurities dictate my career decisions. I kept choosing the safe road, the kind of jobs that would not make others uncomfortable about hiring me, until I felt unsatisfied. The life I had in the past stunted my creativity until I found the courage to leave. For two years, I embarked on self-titled “The Freedom Tour” to reconnect with God, my friends and family, and myself, as I felt lost and restricted from pursuing my true passions.

Strength in my voice did not happen overnight. I grew stronger as I traveled, reconnecting with others who reminded me of my worth. Seeing God in many places—in the mountains, rivers, trees, meadows, and skies—gave me strength. Being repeatedly rejected for jobs led me to embrace multiple roles and projects, instilling in me the desire to be many things at once: a keynote speaker, educator, graphic designer, marketing PR specialist, writer, editor, traveler, and mentor. I am thankful for each opportunity, both good and bad, that has brought me to this point: advocating for others to have a voice through writing and speaking.

In the last three years, I have turned to writing poetry more frequently, discovering more of myself and feeling freer in expressing my voice. This newfound freedom fuels my work in memoirs, editing projects, crafting keynotes, and speaking more boldly.

After eight years of searching since I firmly closed the previous chapter, I felt that I had arrived by stepping into the Director of Development and Communications role with The Literacy Council of Central Alabama, because it allows me to continue pursuing my passions across various endeavors.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I consider myself a Creative, as reflected in my LLC title: Creative Communications Consultant. I began consulting through speaking, writing, researching, editing, and marketing. This has become my primary focus in my work. Everything I do revolves around being creative in communication, and I guide others to seek authentic connections in their interactions.

Both speaking and writing offer me platforms to emphasize the importance of genuine communication. We must slow down and truly listen to each other, a need that is magnified by the rapid advancement of technology, particularly artificial intelligence. My work at Auburn University’s Biggio Center for Enhancement of Teaching and Learning involves facilitating evaluations and feedback for the “Teaching with AI” course, which has been adopted by over ninety higher education institutions worldwide. This course helps faculty and administrators equip their colleagues and students with the knowledge to use artificial intelligence efficiently, ethically, and responsibly, thereby developing their AI literacy.

We cannot stop the tsunami wave of AI technology, and we must be creative in finding the proverbial boat to ride that wave while maintaining our thirst for knowledge and learning. By using AI as a catalyst rather than a crutch, we can sail above the crest of the waves, exploring beyond the well-trodden currents of AI trained by previous knowledge to discover new islands of creativity and opportunity.

In my new role as Director of Development and Communications at The Literacy Council of Central Alabama, I leverage my skills in reading, writing, speaking, marketing, donor relations, development, and event planning to enhance literacy across the region. When announcing my new role, I shared, “My parents read to my three siblings and me every night when we were growing up. This cherished routine instilled in me a love for reading, the need to express myself through writing, and the determination to speak. As a Xennial, I grew up without today’s technology, which highlighted the importance of eye contact, in-person interactions, and manual information processing. My personal and professional experiences are tightly intertwined in literacy.”

Simultaneously, I work with Auburn University’s Biggio Center as a facilitator for the “Teaching with AI” course and teach English Composition I and II in variable classroom settings—including traditional in-person, hybrid, online, condensed five-week term, and dual enrollment—at Jefferson State Community College’s Clanton Campus.

Additionally, I contribute to the digital nomad community as a content creator for Nomad Tax and write the monthly “Flora & Fauna” and “Seeing the Lake with Sarah Elizabeth” columns for *Lakeside Living* magazine. My involvement in the Junior League of Birmingham includes serving on the Grants & Foundations Committee. Previously, I served as Editor of its centennial edition and final issue of the *Newsheet* magazine publication and Annual Report, as well as in roles as Assistant to the President, social media chair, and Facebook specialist.

I saved the best for last: keynote speaker. I seek opportunities to share my experiences and insights on overcoming communication barriers and fostering genuine connections. In the meantime, I am engaged in various writing projects—whether it’s poetry, memoir chapters, social media posts, or grant proposals.

What makes you happy?

The skies are dark and rumbling with thunder, sporadically lit up with sharp zaps of lightning as I type this. I am recalling the word pluvophile, which simply means a rain lover. Snuggling on a comfortable sofa, wrapped up in a soft blanket with my boy cats purring on either side of my legs or on my lap while I read an enthralling novel is one of my simple pleasures. This is a luxurious joy I indulge in when I take a break from staring at a screen. Alongside this, I enjoy moving around and working out.

When I get up, I love to go outside and appreciate the nature’s beauty. Looking up from typing this, I notice that the rain has let up and the sky is brightening with the setting sun. This sight, a reward after a storm, mirrors the joy I feel after completing a half-marathon, a 10K, or even a 5K, or after stretching following an intense Pure Barre session. It is the same joy I experience when I ignore the inner voice urging me to stay comfortable on the sofa and instead lace up my Brooks to go for a walk or run. The fresh air after heavy summer rains refreshes my soul.

As a poet, I value these details and moments. They remind me of the importance of quality time with ourselves without distractions. We need faith, and I turn to the Scriptures to illuminate the next steps and clear the chaos in my thoughts, helping me process things more effectively. Embracing restful quietness and being content with where we are in life fosters creativity. These reflections spur me to keep creating, writing, and speaking. The act of creating—whether it is a story, a poem, or a chapter—defines my happiness.

Pricing:

• Speaker fees are based on certification, experience, and education

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.drsarahelizabethmoreman.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seethewriting/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahelizabethmoreman
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@SarahElizabethMoreman
• Other: https://www.drsarahelizabethmoreman.com/speaking