“Creativity is putting your imagination to work, and it's produced the most extraordinary results in human culture.” - Ken Robinson. Storm is a brilliant creative visual storyteller who successfully influences for inclusion and accessibility through impactful campaigns and collaborations. She is the first deaf woman to be invited to the Creative Residency at BBDO, one of the top advertising agencies worldwide. Storm’s remarkable work was recognized and she now serves as an Art Director at BBDO. She has worked on prominent campaigns like “It’s Time to Redefine”, a campaign for International Women’s Day and with Apple’s Everyone Can Code project by collaborating, directing and producing videos with a goal to enable youth with a range of hearing losses to learn to code. Storm has also collaborated with the likes of Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin, Tony nominee actress Lauren Ridloff and many others on numerous advocacy projects. Storm has been invited to deliver keynote speeches by many organizations such as Harvard University, Boston University, UCLA, Gallaudet University and Rochester Institute of Technology. She has been recognized for her substantial contributions through numerous awards including one from the City of Los Angeles.

What is the best thing you love about your creative profession?S: Being able to create a visual story that has the power to influence and impact an individual, community, nation, and the world. We all have a story to tell, and it deserves to be shared. Working for BBDO Worldwide as an Art Director has given me the platform and tools to push myself to be a better storyteller, and with that, I can elevate the quality of my stories to the next level.

Which campaign of yours is closest to your heart and why?S: I must say, the “You Can” Campaign. The campaign I produced for Gallaudet University’s Presidential Inauguration. This video opens with two young girls waiting patiently in the President’s office for newly elected President Bobbi Cordano to arrive to meet with them.
Both have a vivid imagination and while standing behind the President’s desk, they declare that they will be the President of Gallaudet University one day. President Cordano walks in and sees this moment. She asks: “You want to be the President in the future?”
Both smile with full confidence: “YES.” In agreement, the President confirms their words with, “You can.”
That is probably the most potent part of the video because, for the first time in 152 years of Gallaudet’s history, we ever have a woman president. Also, President Bobbi Cordano serves as a beacon of optimism, light, and hope to young women, showing that they will have the same equal opportunity in a higher position at Gallaudet or any big company one day. The video went viral quickly within 48 hours; it had hit over 200,000 views with over 600,000 impressions. The video moved communities. History was made.

What is the biggest challenge that you face or have faced at work?S: This is very common as a Deaf/Hard of hearing person – communication barriers.
The biggest challenge I have had though is not only the communication barriers, but with others’ assumptions. I had thought if you work closely enough with people, they would accommodate you from time and time. There was a time when my colleague created a communication barrier for me while the three of us were working on a project together for a client.
I remember feeling so upset that I left work early. I was flabbergasted. I had the courage to address this issue with my colleague a couple of days later, and he apologized afterward. The assumption I had, and the experience of barriers has taught me a real lesson: you have to be a self-advocate at all times, and not everyone is always be going to accommodate you, whether or not it is intentional. Find a way and voice to get the job done. Always be your own self- advocate the best way you know how.

Can you talk about some of your initiatives to foster an inclusive society?S: I always find ways to continue to expand my network when I meet people at events. If I see their work aligns with my purpose, brand, and work related to diversity, disability, accessibility, and inclusion, I create an opportunity to meet again and start a conversation on what we can do to serve others, collaboratively speaking. For example – last summer, I had the fantastic opportunity to collaborate with Apple to produce and direct with full creative direction several Coding Concepts Videos in American Sign Language. Deaf developers Will and Tim from Lyft explained coding concepts in ASL and advised on app development from a Deaf perspective. It took us months to complete the creative process and workflow. The results are accessible videos, in sign language with closed captions and text transcripts, that anyone can easily understand and enjoy. These videos sought to communicate to youth who are Deaf, Hard of hearing, or have a range of hearing loss that just as they learned to sign, they can learn to code! This approach will help to elevate the possibilities for them, allowing them to know they can have a career in the high demand tech- related industries as much as the next person.
I was also involved in Ford Foundation Media Convening event with the incredible thought leaders in the media industry, where we shared and developed strategies on how to push for change on the importance of representations of diversity and disability in the media.
I have been an ambassador seeking out and strengthening relationships with people in the industry across the nation for collaborations, partnerships, resources, and networking purposes consistent with the theme of pushing for change on a different level. Right now, I am continuing conversations with different amazing people who hold high-ranking positions in their companies to identify and offer collaboration opportunities that foster positive change and make it a more inclusive society. The approach looks like: produce a PSA video involving powerful influencers, short film, be a speaker at the event, travel to lead a workshop, etc. It takes one small step to build a snowball impact down the road. All it takes are conversations and implementations.

What challenges did you face during your school days? What or who motivated you to face those challenges?S: Two primarily challenges I faced back in early days in school – being Deaf/Hard of hearing and Black.
When I was young, I did not identify myself as “Deaf” because I was able to hear a good amount of frequency and noises, even without a hearing aid. I wanted to play it safe and to be more acceptable by the “society.” I would always say “I am Hard of Hearing” – it was, in a way, saying I belonged to both worlds, not just one [Deaf world]. The stigma on Deafness was challenging and negative. As I grew older, when I went to Gallaudet University, I reframed my narratives and assumptions on being Deaf. I would change from Hard of Hearing to Deaf. If a person asks me a specific question about the range of my hearing loss, I would confirm, “Yeah, I can hear some as in Hard of Hearing. However, I am Deaf.” I would say it without feeling guilty or shame.
Another challenge I have faced – I have dealt with racism and even been called the “N” word by a peer in high school. Others took more subtle approaches to racism in their interactions with me. It was hard and confusing at times. As I have matured and learned more, I have taught myself to reframe positively my narrative about my race and the color of my skin. I used my experiences to strengthen my tools to give back to others who have gone through similar experiences.
The lessons within the challenges and adversity that I have faced have taught me that people will still judge you for who you are and what you do, but to know that it has nothing to do with you. It can come from a place of their fear. With these lessons in my heart, they help me to keep moving forward because I continue to know and stay true to who I am.

What are your other hobbies?S: When I am not creating, I love to read books. I am a big bookworm. I read them because I crave to gain new knowledge and insights. It is a must for me. I used to draw a lot in the past, but not anymore. Now and then, I pull up my iPad and digitally draw with my Apple pencil for fun. I always find the time to get together with friends for coffee and meals (brunch and dinner) to have deep conversations. When the weather is nice, I will go hiking every chance I get.

What is your favorite place that you would like to visit and why?S: Top favorites:
1. Los Angeles, California. I am a native Californian. I was born and raised in LA, so it will always be my home.
2. Jamaica. I love everything about Jamaica; the people, their culture, the food, the music, the style, and the vibes surrounded by nature and water. Breathtaking!
3. London, England. I would pick London over NYC any day. There is something about London that I fell in love with and I only went once! I am not a huge history buff, but after visiting I became fascinated with the history of Kings and Queens. Ever since then, I have watched many period movies. Their food is insanely good. I love the feel of a modern city with a strong, rich historical vibe to it. Does that make sense?
Next top 5 cities I want to visit are: 1. Rio, Brazil 2. Dominican Republic 3. Greece 4. Amsterdam 5. Rome, Italy
I have an obsession with culture, food, language, history, and nature. You can see it on the list.

What is your suggestion for families of children with disabilities to empower their children?S: Know their disability, whether it is visible or invisible, does not define them or their future. There may be some limitations with our disabilities down the road, but remember it is still possible to live the fulfilling life that they deserve and that they can change the world through their stories, talents, knowledge, and expertise. There are resources to access out there that can become the tools for them to carry to get through any type of adversity.
Talk with them about who they are, whom they want to become, provide the safe space for them to express their frustrations when they are in a vulnerable state, listen and be there for them, and keep encouraging them to go far. Make sure they know to work smarter, not harder.

What tips/advice do you have for those in our community who want to explore their creative side?S: Always create something. Do not wait until you create something in the classroom, at an internship, or while on a job. Create something during your free time and keep improving your craft. That is where you attain your true creative freedom, and your best work will speak for itself. Align your passion(s) and creativity with people who get it and will support you through it. Explore. Create. Tell your story. Challenge yourself. Have fun. Then repeat.
If people criticize your work, use your best judgment to see their intention. Always smile and say thank you. This does not mean you still accept their critique, because you know your work best. Seek & see the difference between constructive feedback and destructive criticism.

Any special message for our community?S: I cannot stress this enough: Love Yourself. Always.
If you do not know how or are unsure how, find a reason to love yourself and build from there. You are plan A. You come first. It is a complicated world out there with a chaotic, divided society; it is so easy to fall into the negative narratives. Whenever you are in a vulnerable state, give yourself permission to know it is okay not to be okay, because you are a human being. Give yourself permission to process and then keep moving forward.
Ultimately, you are responsible for yourself and your beautiful journey. Always aim for light, hope, and optimism. It does the trick in the long run.