Meet Dr. D’yann Elaine Crosby | ASL Educator, Advocate, Producer and Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. D’yann Elaine Crosby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. D’yann Elaine, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
One piece of conventional advice I’m afraid I have to disagree with is the idiom, “Don’t toot your own horn.” This phrase, coined centuries ago, warns against openly promoting one’s achievements to avoid appearing arrogant or boastful. Societies often encourage modesty, teaching that self-promotion goes against social norms of politeness and humility. However, I believe there are valid reasons to advocate for yourself and proudly share your accomplishments.
Tooting your own horn doesn’t have to be boastful—it’s about recognizing your hard work and ensuring that others do too.
I’ve learned that in business, the ability to “toot your own horn” is more than just a matter of personal pride; rather it’s a strategic tool for professional growth and success. While traditional advice may suggest that self-promotion is boastful or unnecessary, I find the contrary to be true.
For example in business, if people aren’t aware of your accomplishments, they can’t consider you for new opportunities. If you don’t speak up for yourself, you risk letting others take credit for your work, or worse, being viewed as passive. I believe self-advocacy is a proactive way to ensure that your hard work is recognized and that you’re given the credit you deserve.

It’s been said that your reputation is your currency. It’s important to know you have personal authority to regularly showcase your achievements and, by doing so, you boost your self-confidence and esteem instead of relying on others to validate you or celebrate your accomplishments. When you share your successes it reinforces your belief in your abilities and shows you know your worth. Every one of us has the power to control our narrative. Don’t be afraid to come out of the shadows and challenge the norm. Don’t be afraid to position yourself as an equal in environments where visibility and assertiveness are often key to success.

A Personal Example
In my career, after 18 years of teaching, I decided to actively pursue recognition for my contributions. During the pandemic, when we shifted to online learning, many of us faced enormous challenges, yet our work continued. In 2021, when things started returning to normal, I set a goal to be recognized as Teacher of the Year. I made my achievements known, asked colleagues to nominate me, and executed a plan to campaign for myself. The day before the formal announcement of the nominees was shared a our faculty meeting, I distributed promotional materials in the boxes of every employee to encourage a vote for me. When the election concluded, I was voted the 2021-2022 Certificated Employee of the Year! Some commented on my self-promotion, but I stood by my efforts: who would if I didn’t advocate for myself? That recognition was a direct result of my willingness to toot my own horn. As a result, earning that title opened a door this past summer to teach in the inaugural Teacher-2-Teacher program launched by Los Angeles County on Education (LACOE) at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, California.

Remember, self-promotion in business is not about arrogance but instead it’s about owning your accomplishments and ensuring that others are aware of the value you bring. In a competitive environment, tooting your own horn is essential to building visibility, confidence, and success. When done strategically and authentically, it can be a powerful tool for career advancement and personal growth. So remember to “Toot-Toot!”

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Sign With Me, Incorporated (SWM) is a groundbreaking non-profit organization dedicated to offering innovative and engaging instructional programs, classes, and training for those interested in learning American Sign Language (ASL). We provide an accessible alternative to traditional classroom learning, serving a diverse audience that includes individuals who are hearing, hard of hearing, deaf, and non-verbal.

In today’s world, opportunities for meaningful communication within families affected by hearing or speech loss remain limited. This gap often leads to feelings of isolation and disconnection. At SWM, we recognize the power of ASL as a vital tool to bridge communication and cultural divides, not just between the hearing and deaf communities, but also for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Our mission is to empower families by teaching them ASL, helping them to foster deeper connections and meaningful relationships. By learning ASL, families can communicate more effectively, enhancing self-esteem, boosting confidence, and promoting continuous learning. ASL offers them the tools to create stronger bonds, ultimately building a more inclusive environment for all members.

Our vision is to inspire individuals and families to make a positive impact on their loved ones and communities through ASL. By promoting language acquisition and cultural understanding, we aim to break down communication barriers and create a world where everyone young and old have the opportunity to thrive.

Sign With Me is on the move and we are excited that industries are seeing the value we provide and are lending support to expand our service reach.
In 2023, SWM was awarded a $50,000 grant to deliver Westside Regional Center’s first-ever ASL Basic Training, specifically designed for vendors who provide essential services to individuals with developmental disabilities. This initiative was a remarkable opportunity, equipping and empowering service providers with comprehensive ASL training to enhance communication and engagement with the people they support.

In August 2024, we received a $2,500 grant from the Port of Long Beach to host two online ASL Music Classes, which garnered over 50 participants. These classes are currently running and will continue through October 30th, 2024.

Beyond the impact we are making on families, learners, regional centers, and industry partners, we are proud of the media products we’ve introduced to raise awareness about sign language and its potential as an alternative language.

American Sign Language Emergency Preparedness (ASLEP)
In 2013, I identified the critical gap in access to emergency services for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing. In response, we developed the first-ever American Sign Language Emergency Preparedness educational media tool, which has transformed lives by making emergency services more accessible to a previously underserved population. This all-Deaf cast product is available at www.Diglo.com, and we are working toward turning this into an animated series, with your support.

Unheard Voices: The Deaf Perspective Talk Show
In 2018, after observing the lack of representation of the positive advancements and contributions of the deaf community, I set out to create a platform that would celebrate deaf heroes and address the systemic barriers that exist in our society. This initiative led to the production of Unheard Voices: The Deaf Perspective Talk Show, a show that highlights the accomplishments, triumphs, and truths of d/Deaf influencers. After completing the pilot, two episodes, and a PSA, we continue to seek partners to bring this transformative concept to television.

Seniors Sign, Too! Book Series
In the summer of 2021, I had the opportunity to lead SWM’s first online ASL Music Enrichment course for seniors at Atria Senior Facility in Thousand Oaks, California. It became clear that supplemental support was necessary to help aging adults continue their learning and engagement with ASL, as they were at risk of forgetting what they had learned. This insight led to the creation of the Seniors Sign, Too! book series, launched in March 2023, designed to provide seniors with a continued voice and promote healthy aging after hearing loss. The series, including Seniors Sign, Too! ASL Alphabet Book #1, Flashcards, and ASL Family Book #2, is gaining traction on Amazon and other platforms. You can support this initiative by purchasing products or merchandise from our HearZero Sign Too! store at www.SignToo.net. A portion of the proceeds goes towards ASL education and deaf institutions, with tax-deductible contributions.

This is just the beginning—there’s more on the horizon!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow, that’s a fun question! I love giving my friends a full experience when they visit, though it really depends on their interests. A possible go-to itinerary I have that offers a mix of adventure, relaxation, and great food would be:

Mornings: I like to kick things off with a refreshing hike. Some of my favorite spots include Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City, Santa Monica Steps, the Sand Dunes in Redondo Beach, or Runyon Canyon in Hollywood for those classic LA views. Afterward, we’d refuel with a healthy breakfast or a fresh juice at one of the local spots.

Afternoons: To switch things up, I love taking a day trip to a nearby city—catching a movie in a different area is a fun way to see more of LA. Then we’d head to a nice restaurant for a fine dining experience, making the most of LA’s incredible food scene.

Evenings & Extras: Depending on the day, we might explore Santa Monica, Venice, or Hermosa Beach for that quintessential California vibe, or visit the serene Self-Realization Center in the Palisades for some peace and quiet. A stop at a museum, a community event, or some shopping at The Grove are also great options.

There’s so much to do here, but those are definitely some of my go-to activities when showing a friend the best time!

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 am incredibly proud of the accomplishments Sign With Me, Inc. has achieved and the progress we’ve made in promoting the use of American Sign Language (ASL). Our goal is to continue growing and expanding so we can reach even more individuals, families, communities, and industries with the transformative power of language and cultural literacy. We are always deeply grateful to the Deaf community for generously sharing ASL with us. This beautiful language has enabled us to meet the community’s need for equal communication access while also providing an alternative form of communication for those interested in learning and benefiting from ASL.

Through our efforts, we build a bridge of support for families—one word, one sign, one connection at a time. I frequently pause to reflect on the people who inspire and support my journey, and I am forever grateful to those who have joined me in advancing SWM’s vision of equity.

I want to give special recognition to my most precious jewel, my daughter, A. Brytney Reaves, who has been my inspiration from age of ten and now serves as Vice President of Sign With Me. I also want to acknowledge the Sign, Too! team—illustrator Filip Heyninck, his wife Katrien, Debbie Green, and Kathleen Marcath—for their outstanding contributions and dedication to our twelve-book series.

Together, we are committed to ensuring that Sign With Me becomes a global leader in ASL education, inspiring new signers, interpreters, advocates, and partnerships that drive meaningful, equitable change for the hearing, Deaf, and non-verbal communities alike.

Website: https://www.instagram.com/signwithmeorg/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signwithmeorg/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/signwithme-inc-84172146

Twitter: https://twitter.com/signwithmeorg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/signwithmeorg

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sign-with-me-los-angeles-2

Youtube: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sign-with-me-los-angeles-2

Image Credits
Los Altos YMCA
Atria Senior Facilities
ANS Photography