Bring Our Fab MC Karen Graham to Toronto for Hidden Gems!

Dear Community,

We are thrilled to share the news that we are hosting a Hidden Gems three-day event on February 14 - 16 2025. Hidden Gems’ goal is to spotlight Black Deaf Artists. The event will be welcome to the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Hearing communities. We will have ASL-English interpreters available for communication facilitation.

We are fundraising to cover the costs to fly Karen Graham and her assistant to Toronto, Ontario from Atlanta, Georgina.

Karen Graham is a broadcast journalist with more than 20 years of experience. She is also the co-founder of Sign1News/Sign1Studios. Graham, an Atlanta native, started her television career in 1994 as a general assignment reporter at FOX-affiliate WTVT-TV in Tampa, Florida.

Graham is fluent in American Sign Language. She is an advocate for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. She featured several news stories centered the social issues and personal achievements in the Deaf community. She served as the leader of Ray of Hope Christian Church’s Deaf Ministry.

The estimated cost to fly in Karen Graham and her assistant is approximately $1400 CAD. This includes accommodations, flights, per diem and an honorarium. We are setting a goal of $2000 CAD to cover any additional costs, taxes, etc that come with the fundraiser.

We originally got an OAC grant to cover the costs for the three-day Hidden Gems event. However, the costs to cover Karen’s travel expenses are not included. We considered applying for another grant to cover the costs and after researching, we realized the granting timelines do not align with our timeline so we are asking for your help.

Hidden Gems is a collective of Black Deaf Performing Artists from Ontario, Canada. They are Natasha "Courage" Bacchus, Juan Jaramillo, and Robert Haughton.

It is a pivotal period in our lives after investing in our artistic careers for quite some time now and participating in the success of multiple art projects; it is meaningful to spotlight, honour, recognize, and celebrate Black Deaf Artists.

We must create a safe space for all Black Deaf Artists to be acknowledged for their contributions to the arts scene here in Toronto and across Canada, even internationally. We are bringing visibility and representation to our communities. We want to bring awareness to the Deaf community to see what is possible within the arts world.

There is no better moment to launch the Hidden Gems Project with this exceptional weekend planned in February 2025 during Black History Month. Having such a prominent figure in attendance is an honour. The audience will witness phenomenal performances by an incredibly talented cast and learn our history to preserve our heritage. We must create, share, and pass on a legacy to our Black Deaf descendants.

Hidden Gems Schedule

https://www.facebook.com/events/1591494808121345

February 14, 2025: Wine & Cheese Social Evening

7:30 PM – Door Opens

8:00 PM – Karen Graham’s Introduction as MC

8:30 PM – Karen’s Icebreaker Activity

9:00 PM – Gaitrie Killings hosts Improv & Mask Activities, followed by the Hidden Gems Performance and Artist Interviews

February 15, 2025: Hidden Gems Performance & Artist Panel

7:30 PM – Door Opens

8:00 PM – Karen Graham introduces herself as MC

8:30 PM – Hidden Gems Performance by Courage, Robert, and Juan

9:30 PM – Karen’s Interview with the Artists about their performance and their journey, followed by a discussion on Black Deaf History

February 16, 2025: Black Deaf History and Artist Panel

12:30 PM – Door Opens

1:00 PM – Karen introduces herself as MC

2:30 PM – Jenelle presents Black Deaf Canadians History

3:00 PM – Panel with Courage, Robert, and Juan, moderated by Karen Graham

Feel free to share this link with your friends, family, and colleagues!

Thank you for sparing a few minutes of your time to read this.

With deepest gratitude and appreciation,

Hidden Gems Team

Courage, Juan, Robert, and Gaitrie