Meet Michelle Banks | Co-Founder/Artistic Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Banks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Visionaries of the Creative Arts (VOCA) helps amplify the representation of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing (HoH) Black Indigenous People Of Color (BIPOC) artists in the community by providing them a visionary platform to create, collaborate, and showcase their culturally distinctive works through various forms of artistic and linguistic expressions.

Although rich in culture, Washington, DC, does not have community forums that showcase our unique BIPOC Deaf cultural lens. As a result, the Deaf/HoH BIPOC community and its artists have been overlooked and underrepresented in mainstream and Deaf culture, a form of social injustice that VOCA stands to redress. VOCA’s programming gives “voice” to the Deaf/HoH BIPOC community using multi-sign languages, American Sign Language (ASL), and Black American Sign Language (BASL) to support VOCA’s vision.

VOCA’s vision is to be a global leader in providing equitable access and opportunities for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing BIPOC artists in the creative and performing arts arena.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have worked in the entertainment industry for over 35 years. I am passionate about my work, which includes acting, directing, writing, producing, and mentoring. Being a Black Deaf woman in the industry has presented challenges, including rejection and ridicule. However, I have overcome these barriers by standing my ground, taking control of my destiny, and not allowing others to interfere with my success. My journey has facilitated my personal and professional growth as an artist. Faith, patience, and persistence have been the keys to my success throughout this journey.

I am incredibly proud of my contributions to the art community and my work for the Deaf BIPOC individuals. As a mentor, I have helped others achieve their artistic goals and opened doors for them in the entertainment industry. It took me years to become a leader of social change for the Deaf brown and black people in entertainment. I take pride in paving the way for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing BIPOC artists to succeed in their industry professions and become the next generation of Deaf leaders in the entertainment arts.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d love to show my best friend around the DC area and give them the best time in my hometown! If the weather is nice, first we’d visit the National Zoo to see all the different species of cool animals and then go kayaking down the Potomac River near the Washington Monument. After that, we’d plan a three-day trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and The National Gallery of Art. Next, we’d go on a shopping spree in Chinatown and Dupont Circle and catch an American Sign Language (ASL)-interpreted show at the Kennedy Center. Then, we’d head to the Busboys and Poets Cafe for dinner and enjoy the ASL Poets Night featuring Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing poets/artists. One day, we’d check out the H Street scene for its annual festival, which includes many vendors, performances, food, music, etc. Lastly, we would visit Gallaudet University, the only university for Deaf students in the world, to greet our old friends and meet new faces. On the last day of their trip, I’d take them to Cotton & Reed in the Union Market area for their amazingly delicious drinks made from scratch – their homemade rums! This trip would have been the best memory they have ever had!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to three strong black women who have positively influenced me and helped me get to where I am now: Bernadette Banks, Cicely Tyson, and Michelle Obama.

First and foremost, Bernadette Banks is my mom, who has always been my cheerleader. Since I became deaf at age 1, she exhausted all the resources she could find to learn to communicate with me in sign language and ensured that I acquired as much education as possible. Growing up, she encouraged me to read and exposed me to black culture, arts, music, and theater. I would tell my mom I wanted to be this or that. She never said to me, “No, you can’t because you’re deaf.” My mom always says, “Yes, you can, and you will!” She has been very supportive of my well-being, dreams, and career.

When I was young, I saw Cicely Tyson in the movie ‘Sounder’, and I was so drawn to her and her character that I told my mom I wanted to be like her. Since then, I have pursued my dream of becoming an actor. In 2006, I had the opportunity to meet Cicely on my birthday and I thanked her for inspiring me. She responded, “Oh, isn’t that sweet.” It was the best birthday gift ever!

Michelle Obama has been a huge inspiration to me. Her role as the former First Lady of the United States has given hope to women, especially women of color. That hope motivated me to establish and lead Visionaries of the Creative Arts and be an advocate for Deaf BIPOC artists who have been marginalized and underrepresented in the mainstream. Her model of charity to the community and community involvement has encouraged me to give back something to my community. It has inspired me to be the best leader I can be for my organization.

Website: https://www.vocarts.org

Instagram: vocarts_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-banks-37b408250/

Twitter: @OfVoca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vocarts.org

Youtube: Visionaries of the Creative Arts

Image Credits
Photo Credit by Andrew Robertson
Photo Credit by VOCA