Wink, MA, MBA, NIC Master, enjoys researching and creating various workshops that focus on skill building through deliberate practice, which he wrote about in the RID Views, Winter 2012 issue. Presenting workshops the last fifteen years at national conferences (NAD, RID, Silent Weekend) regional conferences (RID I, II, III, IV, V), state conferences, and local workshops across the nation has given Wink experiences to enhance applications for interpreters of all levels. Wink is widely noted for the comfortable atmosphere he creates and the passion he exudes. Currently Wink travels full time performing, presenting workshops, and managing Winkshop, Inc, through which he has developed a dozen training materials. Wink currently is working on his PhD in linguistics from Gallaudet University where he investigates the embodied motivations of imagery in depiction.

Hello beautiful people! My name is Tempest Cooper, a proud Black deaf mom to a one-year-old son and happily married to my amazing husband, who's a fantastic father. Motherhood is my joy. As the CEO of Oya Reigns LLC, I craft organic soaps, bath bombs, and scrubs from scratch. Balancing entrepreneurship, I also serve as a Clinical Case Manager/ASL Deaf Therapist at Deaf Community Counseling Services at Felton in California, empowering deaf individuals with their mental health. I am a Deaf artist, Member of Zeta Phi Beta Incorporated, Motivational Speaker, and after-school teacher for Black American Sign Language. I had the honor of being Miss Deaf US 2018-2019 on an international level, went to Russia and won third place. Culture Attired and currently serve as Vice President of Bay Area Black Deaf Advocates (BABDA) 2023-2025. I was accepted into Tulane University as a PhD candidate as a Social worker. Graceful of this journey!

Sharon is a multifaceted professional, boasting a wealth of expertise as a Nationally Certified Interpreter since 1998, a licensed Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist, a Registered Craniosacral Therapist, and a Somatic Movement Facilitator. For the past six years, she has seamlessly intertwined her passion for interpretation with a dedication to holistic wellness. Recognizing the toll interpreting long hours takes on interpreters' bodies, Sharon champions the integration of movement into their routines, advocating for overall health. Her transformative workshops blend information with practical exercises, empowering participants to embark on their healing journeys.

Sharon is a multifaceted professional, boasting a wealth of expertise as a Nationally Certified Interpreter since 1998, a licensed Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist, a Registered Craniosacral Therapist, and a Somatic Movement Facilitator. For the past six years, she has seamlessly intertwined her passion for interpretation with a dedication to holistic wellness. Recognizing the toll interpreting long hours takes on interpreters' bodies, Sharon champions the integration of movement into their routines, advocating for overall health. Her transformative workshops blend information with practical exercises, empowering participants to embark on their healing journeys.

Bee Vicars, a Deaf ADHDer,  is a full time Deaf Studies lecturer at Sacramento State University, and has adult children who are also neurodivergent. She is a culture researcher, consultant, and advocate who has advised on a variety of topics that lead to a greater cultural understanding of the Deaf community, particularly from the different Deaf intersectional and disability lenses.

Presently she serves as a moderator for a number of social media groups which focuses on providing support to members of the Deaf community in developing their own Deaf identity, as well as support for Deaf consumers who use ASL interpreters.

Isis Dixon received her BA in Deaf studies and Interpreting from Bethel University, of Mishawaka. Excluding her sojourn in Arizona as a child, she has been a lifelong resident of South Bend, Indiana. Isis Dixon has worked as an interpreter for 16 years,14 of which, as a Video Relay Service (VRS) interpreter for Sorenson Communications. During this time, Isis has interpreted for the NAACP Hazel B. Luncheon, The Human Rights Commission and concerts for: Blues Bash, National Women’s Music Festival, Kidz Bop, and grammy-nominated recording artist Flo Rida. Since 2020, until present, Isis has devoted time mentoring and supporting minority Interpreting Training Program (ITP) students. When she’s not interpreting and or supporting students, she enjoys: creating art, writing poetry, dancing, nature walks, music, family, and spending time with her grandson, which is the highlight of her life.

Hi I am Nykk! I am Queer DeafBlind Transman. I have a few rare medical conditions including JRK +\- genetic defect. I also have Autism/ ADHD OCD and cPTSD. I am often told that I'm resilient & full of integrity. Due to my conditions, I get around with my very large 140lb guide dog or my white cane. I feel accomplished with 2 double MA degrees in law and psychology + an advanced certificate as a dialectical behavioral therapist (DBT). I have multiple peer reviewed and research publications as well as poem, prose & short stories. You can often find me near water or nature. I love a good thrill/ high adrenaline adventure. I also skateboard, snowboard, do competitive horseback (barrel racing & pole bending in rodeos). I am also one of the nations limited number of DeafBlind mentors / trainers that works with PLI and Tactile Communications to train interpreters and fellow DB persons on the amazing language of Protactile and of DeafBlind culture and DB technology/ communication access and technology training. I am always willing to be reached out to if you need support or a friend!

Picture Description: A selfie of Nykk, a light skinned mixed race masculine presenting queer, while waiting at the bus stop. They have a fade haircut with curly hair on top. Nykk is wearing a grey Reebok rain coat with a white shirt under that has print black flowers patterns. Nykk has dark wide frame RX glasses with transition lens, 3 gauge piercings in each ear, a septum and lip piecing as well. They have earbuds in that are custom made and amplified so they can “rattle their ears” to the best of some loud music- their favorite band is NF.

Amanda Kennon, MA, NIC, is a freelance interpreter, mentor, and presenter in the Philadelphia, PA suburbs. She received her B.A. in Interpreting and ASL/ Deaf Studies from Maryville College and her M.A. in. Interdisciplinary Studies: Individualized Studies: Ethics and Interpreting from George Mason University, completing her Capstone Project, “Ethics & Professional Identity: A Proposed Curriculum for Students in Interpreter Education Programs.” During her seventeen-year career, Amanda has worked in a variety of settings, mentored students and novice interpreters, and served on the VRID Board in multiple roles.   Parenting a neurodivergent child spurred her to explore the neurodivergent community and her own neurodivergence. Recently diagnosed with ADHD, she is continually learning about herself and reflecting on her personal and professional journey.

Laura Maddux Polhemus (she/her), PhD, NIC Advanced, BEI Advanced, has been involved with the Deaf community for more than 23 years as an ASL student, interpreter, interpreter educator, and friend. Laura gained her BBA in Business Administration from Sam Houston State University before adding an AAS in Interpreter Training from Tyler Junior College. She studied Applied Linguistics at Texas Tech for her MA, and her thesis focused on having ASL students and Deaf students of English help each other with their language learning from a distance. Laura received her PhD in interpretation from Gallaudet University in 2015, during Her dissertation resulted in a publication, “Source Attribution in ASL-English Interpreter Education: Testing a Method”, with the International Journal of Interpreter Education. While obtaining her PhD she was diagnosed with ADHD, and has been on a journey to discover what that means in her life and work ever since. She has also investigated self-talk in interpreters, and published “The Committee in My Head: Examining Self-Talk of American Sign Language-English Interpreters” in Translation and Interpretation Studies. She has also done research on how novices and experts experience self-talk and how to improve interpreting students’ self-efficacy. Laura was heavily involved in planning and running the 2015 and 2019 World Association of Sign Language Interpreters Conferences. She has presented for CIT, RID, Critical Link, TSID, and more. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Bethel University in Mishawaka, IN where she searches out methods to teach her increasing number of neurodivergent students.

Bee Vicars, a Deaf ADHDer,  is a full time Deaf Studies lecturer at Sacramento State University, and has adult children who are also neurodivergent. She is a culture researcher, consultant, and advocate who has advised on a variety of topics that lead to a greater cultural understanding of the Deaf community, particularly from the different Deaf intersectional and disability lenses.

Presently she serves as a moderator for a number of social media groups which focuses on providing support to members of the Deaf community in developing their own Deaf identity, as well as support for Deaf consumers who use ASL interpreters.

Isis Dixon received her BA in Deaf studies and Interpreting from Bethel University, of Mishawaka. Excluding her sojourn in Arizona as a child, she has been a lifelong resident of South Bend, Indiana. Isis Dixon has worked as an interpreter for 16 years,14 of which, as a Video Relay Service (VRS) interpreter for Sorenson Communications. During this time, Isis has interpreted for the NAACP Hazel B. Luncheon, The Human Rights Commission and concerts for: Blues Bash, National Women’s Music Festival, Kidz Bop, and grammy-nominated recording artist Flo Rida. Since 2020, until present, Isis has devoted time mentoring and supporting minority Interpreting Training Program (ITP) students. When she’s not interpreting and or supporting students, she enjoys: creating art, writing poetry, dancing, nature walks, music, family, and spending time with her grandson, which is the highlight of her life.

Hi I am Nykk! I am Queer DeafBlind Transman. I have a few rare medical conditions including JRK +\- genetic defect. I also have Autism/ ADHD OCD and cPTSD. I am often told that I'm resilient & full of integrity. Due to my conditions, I get around with my very large 140lb guide dog or my white cane. I feel accomplished with 2 double MA degrees in law and psychology + an advanced certificate as a dialectical behavioral therapist (DBT). I have multiple peer reviewed and research publications as well as poem, prose & short stories. You can often find me near water or nature. I love a good thrill/ high adrenaline adventure. I also skateboard, snowboard, do competitive horseback (barrel racing & pole bending in rodeos). I am also one of the nations limited number of DeafBlind mentors / trainers that works with PLI and Tactile Communications to train interpreters and fellow DB persons on the amazing language of Protactile and of DeafBlind culture and DB technology/ communication access and technology training. I am always willing to be reached out to if you need support or a friend!

Picture Description: A selfie of Nykk, a light skinned mixed race masculine presenting queer, while waiting at the bus stop. They have a fade haircut with curly hair on top. Nykk is wearing a grey Reebok rain coat with a white shirt under that has print black flowers patterns. Nykk has dark wide frame RX glasses with transition lens, 3 gauge piercings in each ear, a septum and lip piecing as well. They have earbuds in that are custom made and amplified so they can “rattle their ears” to the best of some loud music- their favorite band is NF.

Amanda Kennon, MA, NIC, is a freelance interpreter, mentor, and presenter in the Philadelphia, PA suburbs. She received her B.A. in Interpreting and ASL/ Deaf Studies from Maryville College and her M.A. in. Interdisciplinary Studies: Individualized Studies: Ethics and Interpreting from George Mason University, completing her Capstone Project, “Ethics & Professional Identity: A Proposed Curriculum for Students in Interpreter Education Programs.” During her seventeen-year career, Amanda has worked in a variety of settings, mentored students and novice interpreters, and served on the VRID Board in multiple roles.   Parenting a neurodivergent child spurred her to explore the neurodivergent community and her own neurodivergence. Recently diagnosed with ADHD, she is continually learning about herself and reflecting on her personal and professional journey.

Laura Maddux Polhemus (she/her), PhD, NIC Advanced, BEI Advanced, has been involved with the Deaf community for more than 23 years as an ASL student, interpreter, interpreter educator, and friend. Laura gained her BBA in Business Administration from Sam Houston State University before adding an AAS in Interpreter Training from Tyler Junior College. She studied Applied Linguistics at Texas Tech for her MA, and her thesis focused on having ASL students and Deaf students of English help each other with their language learning from a distance. Laura received her PhD in interpretation from Gallaudet University in 2015, during Her dissertation resulted in a publication, “Source Attribution in ASL-English Interpreter Education: Testing a Method”, with the International Journal of Interpreter Education. While obtaining her PhD she was diagnosed with ADHD, and has been on a journey to discover what that means in her life and work ever since. She has also investigated self-talk in interpreters, and published “The Committee in My Head: Examining Self-Talk of American Sign Language-English Interpreters” in Translation and Interpretation Studies. She has also done research on how novices and experts experience self-talk and how to improve interpreting students’ self-efficacy. Laura was heavily involved in planning and running the 2015 and 2019 World Association of Sign Language Interpreters Conferences. She has presented for CIT, RID, Critical Link, TSID, and more. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Bethel University in Mishawaka, IN where she searches out methods to teach her increasing number of neurodivergent students.

Hello beautiful people! My name is Tempest Cooper, a proud Black deaf mom to a one-year-old son and happily married to my amazing husband, who's a fantastic father. Motherhood is my joy. As the CEO of Oya Reigns LLC, I craft organic soaps, bath bombs, and scrubs from scratch. Balancing entrepreneurship, I also serve as a Clinical Case Manager/ASL Deaf Therapist at Deaf Community Counseling Services at Felton in California, empowering deaf individuals with their mental health. I am a Deaf artist, Member of Zeta Phi Beta Incorporated, Motivational Speaker, and after-school teacher for Black American Sign Language. I had the honor of being Miss Deaf US 2018-2019 on an international level, went to Russia and won third place. Culture Attired and currently serve as Vice President of Bay Area Black Deaf Advocates (BABDA) 2023-2025. I was accepted into Tulane University as a PhD candidate as a Social worker. Graceful of this journey!

Vyron received a BA in Social Work and an MA in Sign Language Education from Gallaudet University. He owns ASL Diagnostic Services, LLC. Vyron currently works full-time as an ASL teacher at The Howard School in Atlanta, GA. He works part-time as an ASL professor at Georgia State University and as a Deaf Interpreter/Language expert with other interpreting agencies.

Andrea K Smith has been interpreting for over twenty years with a practice that has been primarily rooted in legal and scientific/technical fields. She currently serves as a designated interpreter on staff with the national ACLU Disability Rights Program supporting a Deaf attorney and numerous litigation and advocacy projects focused on the Deaf community.

Rosemary Bocian, MA, EA, NIC, has been an ASL freelance interpreter since 2011. In 2017 she co-authored the book "The Interpreter's Quick Guide to Self-Employment" which is currently being used by Interpreter Training Programs nationwide and sold on Amazon as well as at select Barnes & Nobles locations. Following publication, she began teaching workshops across the nation including the 2019 RID National Conference. This inspired her to become an Enrolled Agent and support interpreters directly by providing tax preparation services through her business Quick Guide Tax. Rosemary received both her Bachelor’s in ASL Interpretation and Master’s in Deaf Studies: Culture from Gallaudet University. As a professional tax preparer (EA), author and seasoned speaker, Rosemary presents the complex world of taxes in plain language so that interpreters can thrive in the profession.