**Please note that the  descriptions referred to in this program apply to certain groups within the Deaf community and are not meant to define the entire population at large.**As a second-generation ASL interpreter, Sarah Baker passionately provides equal access for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community. Being raised bilingual, she never thought about interpreting as her career; however, after completing a bachelor’s degree in English from Bob Jones University and completing a three-year interpreting internship at the university, she began freelance interpreting in South Carolina. Since achieving NIC certification from Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, she enjoys presenting workshops and mentoring interpreters both locally and nationwide. For the past ten years, Sarah has interpreted college lectures, platform presentations, medical procedures, job interviews & orientations, VRS, VRI, and theatrical productions, as well as several weddings and funerals. Her career highlights include interpreting for concerts on stage and televised presidential campaigns. Promoted to Interpreter Recruiter for a VRS company in 2017, Sarah interviewed dozens of ASL interpreters per week for staff interpreter and contract positions and traveled coast-to-coast representing her company at national and regional conferences. She has served two terms on the Board of Directors for South Carolina’s RID chapter; and in 2020, Sarah co-founded ASL OWL – a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on mentorship & professional development – and began serving as their Board of Directors President. Authoring the well-known “Knock out the NIC” workshop series and providing 1:1 mentorship, Sarah has led 26 ASL interpreters to achieve national certification thus far. Presently, Sarah works for Akorbi as the Associate Director of ASL Services, leading Akorbi's *new* ASL interpreting department and managing hundreds of Akorbi ASL interpreters nationwide.Connect with Sarah:LinkedIn -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-braswell-baker-nic-8b33958a/Email - sbaker@akorbi.comVideo links : What Does Deaf Mean?The Story of ASLASL OWL: https://www.aslowl.org/https://www.facebook.com/ASLOWL Thanks for tuning in, till next time! ?Subscribe to Exclusive access to premium content!https://www.buzzsprout.com/839080/supporters/newConnect with Mireya Pérez, Hostwww.brandtheinterpreter.comFacebookLinkedInInstagram