
Forum for ACTION: Entrepreneurship Roundtable
What is involved in entrepreneurship, exactly? The roundtable will talk about the elements and possibilities involved with entrepreneurship, social media platforms and tips in successfully carrying out your message. Come and have a conversation with three experienced entrepreneurs: Steve Gold, Ryan Maliszewski, and Deborah Nathanson.

Call for Talent!
On April 17-19 the Deaf Media Summit will be taking place at Gallaudet, an invite-only event that will gather the innovators and changemakers in our…

Topic – Successful Branding and Marketing for Targeted Audiences Using Social Media Platforms
Lauren Benedict, an experienced digital media specialist that has led successful campaign efforts for Gallaudet University will share her tips and tricks in having a successful branding and marketing targeting specific audiences through social media platforms.

Topic – How Can We Make Information Sharing More Accessible to ASL users?
Sean Markel, a long-time activist involved with the Deaf Grassroots Movement will talk about communicating important information and news impacting Deaf and hard of hearing people across the country using ASL in social media platforms. Sean has created and posted videos in ASL that have gone viral.

Topic – How can we push for accurate portrayals of Deaf and hard of hearing people?
Lisi is asking mainstream journalists at the Online News Association and elsewhere the question, “How can we push for accurate portrayals of Deaf and hard of hearing people?” and gathering answers. She will share their answers and explain the technical aspects of how to accomplish the suggestions, if applicable.

DISCUSS: Cultivating an Authentic Digital Personality
Leah Katz-Hernandez will share insights she gained by working with some of today's most dynamic, media-focused leaders; the President of the United States Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and the President of Gallaudet University, Bobbi Cordano.

Topic – Public Policy: Leveraging the Media to Amplify the Deaf Voice in Politics
This presentation will discuss how Deaf media professionals - including news producers and Deaf federal employees involved in communications and outreach at agencies – can increase “government literacy” in the Deaf community so Deaf people can better understand how government works and participate more effectively in the democratic process, as voters and as advocates for Deaf interests.

Topic: MATHER, Movies and Magic
In this presentation by director Chase Burton, the audience will learn the strategies that went into creating the film, MATHER. Learn creative approaches to developing the hero’s journey, and how to make films more meaningful.

Topic: Freelancing and Contracting: W.H.A.T: (why, how, and tips)
In this presentation, MJ Kielbus will talk about how to create connections and work for different types of businesses and non-profit organizations as a contractor. MJ will share her professional experiences and perspective.

The First Reveal – New Topics & Forum Announced!
The cornerstone of the Deaf Media Summit project are the topics that were submitted and voted on. At the main Summit in Washington, D.C., presenters and attendees will discuss a few of the most important topics.

Topic: Diversity Representation in Media – Messaging and Authenticity
Diversity and inclusion are hot keywords today. Elvia Guillermo will discuss how minorities typically navigate media and review lessons learned by major corporations who initially failed to attract target demographics, then succeeded.

Topic: Being Accessible- We Know We Need Captions. What Else?
Creating accessible videos isn’t simple - it takes a know-how and a bag full of tips and tricks. Rikki Poynter will be sharing a few of her favorite tricks and biggest lessons learned in her journey as a lifestyle vlogger.

Topic: New Media – Achieving Impact in our Global Village
Jonathan McMillan's presentation will summarize McLuhan's work on New Media and help the audience understand how we, as a Deaf community, can utilize the “Global Village” mindset to effectively achieve impact on social media platforms.

Forum: Branding Guidelines for the Deaf Community
Companies and nonprofit organizations typically have branding guidelines. Imagine the Deaf Community - what would a new person “entering” or writing about the Deaf community need to know?

Forum: Powering the Deaf Ecosystem through Cooperatives
Worker cooperatives could revitalize the Deaf community and empower us to support each other in new and visionary ways. Join Elise Whitworth in a lively discussion and contribute your own ideas.

Deaf Media Summit: a Docu-eventary!
The summit in Washington, D.C. is not your ordinary event. Guests will not register as usual. Instead, we are engaging in an open, highly visible community dialogue...

Meet & Network with Deaf Talent!
Media is exploding in the Deaf community. It’s time to bring together media professionals, bloggers, vloggers, and businesses in the Deaf community to share best practices, solutions, and tips.

Testing the Waters: Deaf Media Live Chats
We decided to try hosting live chats on Slack and invited a few of our peers in media and technology fields. It went so well that we have decided to make it a regular thing. Join us for the next one!