We recently connected with Kenneth Hannah and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kenneth, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
I’m a mother of two beautiful daughters and I was born hearing in a Deaf World. Creating a Community Deaf Center changed my passion in ways that I can share with community families and businesses. I’m a Community Leader and Builder with 5000+ volunteer hours in the community, which is recognized by my city. I continue to collaborate with other community members, leaders, and families to educate, enhance, support, and encourage.
My 30yr professional background doesn’t include college degrees but has certifications to advocate and support Deaf as stated in the ADA Law.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
We at A Silent World Deaf Center LLC created the Traveling Sign Language Camp Inc. in hopes of building a communication bridge in the community that has Deaf Family Members. Even though some youth may just want to learn sign language for fun others may want to attend college to become Deaf Educators, Advocacy, Counselors, and other careers that support persons with hearing impairments. We will always provide effective networking and collaboration to support all community youth groups. The Traveling Sign Language Camp is both an Afterschool Educational Program and a Summer Educational Program that caters to all community youth in all neighborhoods.
The Camp provides a broad sign language curriculum to start them on a unique educational path. The curriculum starts in March and ends in October annually. The campers also represent the Traveling Sign Language Camp Inc. in our local Martin Luther King Parade. The Camp has provided sign language to the community youth for 30 years. We are the only one of its kind.
We provide Deaf Education through various sign language lessons, games, and activities. The Traveling Sign Language Camp Inc. also assists in educating the community youth to acquire a second language to enhance socialization skills. Sign Language will also enhance and develop literacy and interpersonal skills for education and onward to future employment. Developing these skills as a youth will bring success and enrichment to their lives.
Our camp Mission, Advocate – Educate – Inspire
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Our Traveling Sign Language Camp wouldn’t be what it is today if it weren’t for the Volunteers and the community youth group Directors. The Directors call and RSVP about 15 to 30 community youth. They support us daily with their variety of donations. The Volunteers, Staff, Leaders, and those who are behind the scenes of the Traveling Sign Language Camp Inc. are unique in our community. We are lovable, the community can approach us at any time to ask questions about Deaf Culture, and/or they may have a family member who is deaf or may have a hearing impairment. We are always understanding of the Deaf Community. It takes patience to embark on such a career that also involves advocacy.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I started on the business plan path, and it was going great. My plan is very unique and none like any other. My mom and I wanted to see if we could get help and investments. We had walked the Downtown Jacksonville area and came across an office that we thought could assist us and he copied my entire business plan, and he thought I didn’t see him do it. This made me pivot in a way that included changing myself. Where I used to get help, I stopped asking everyone and started asking people who have true business minds.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thedeafzoneasw.wixsite.com/travelingcamp
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ms-karen-lewis-3910231b9
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@asilentworlddeafcenterllc3114
Image Credits
We give credit to A Silent World Productions for all photos and videos created.