Meet the Founder

Dr. D’yann Elaine is the Founder and Executive Director of Sign with Me Incorporated, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to bridge the communication gap that exists between the deaf and hard of hearing. In June of 1996, a young boy sat in the middle section gleefully enjoying the high-energy gospel song being performed at his church.  This wasn’t a normal performance, however.  This time, the choir was accompanied by an energetic, radiant young woman who was signing the lyrics as the song played in the background.

The energetic and inspiring performer with whom the young man was trying to communicate was D’yann Elaine.  Somehow that moment of a child trying to communicate strong emotions to the very best of his abilities to an adult that he believed would hear him brought D’yann back to her own childhood experiences of failed attempts to be understood.   He soon realized this woman, he thought could serve as a much-needed vessel to convey what he so desperately wanted to express, actually just looked the part, as her skill in sign language was limited only to gospel music.  

She didn’t realize it at that time, but that enlightened moment was the spark that would illuminate a much bigger purpose.  Two years later, D’yann,  determined to pursue a Master’s in Organizational Management focused her business plan research on finding a way to build a business that would serve the deaf community and implement divisions of support within major corporations for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing. In her research,  she discovered the complexities of yet another underserved community of citizens striving for the right to basic civil liberties with no champion, no Dr. King or Mahatma Gandhi. D’yann set out to make a difference. The vision for Sign with Me was birthed and a new journey ensued that would prove to be deeper and far more reaching than D’yann could have ever anticipated. In 2002, what started out as teaching the fundamentals of American Sign Language (ASL) through song with the purpose of bringing awareness to the language and the community would soon expand into service offerings including interpreting services, and diversity training for major corporations  

In 2013, D’yann realized one of the shocking voids and suffrages of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community was the lack of effective access to emergency services. This was not merely a matter of access and convenience, but one of life or death. This epiphany was one of the seminal moments that led D’yann to her next major project.  It was crystal clear there was a dire need to walk the path that would lead to helping save the lives of those whose unconventional cries for help could potentially go unheard.

Four years later, D’yann Produced the first-of-it’s kind, all Deaf cast of the American Sign Language Emergency Preparedness (ASLEP), an educational media tool that is already making a difference in the lives of many who had previously been invisible to our current system of emergency services. She hopes that the bridge she has built will only get longer, wider, and more sturdy as it improves over time to help millions more.  While ASL allows for communication access between the hearing and the deaf community, D’yann’s ability to build a connection is fueled by her passion and mission to advocate for equal communication access in various platforms and settings.  Advocacy for equal communication access is the foundation of her company, Sign with Me Incorporated (SWM).
In July 2021 the Seniors Sign, Too! Book series was conceived to address the aging population of adults who suffer from hearing and/or speech loss. Unfortunately, seniors, like the deaf community and other marginalized communities tend to be overlooked as an entire community. Consequently, hearing loss in seniors has a profound impact on the ability to maintain connections with family, friends, and care-takers. SWM seeks to address this disparity with our Seniors Sign, Too! Book/DVD series. 

SWM and its projects have been driven by D’yann’s compassion and commitment to serving the deaf community. Her integrity aligns with her deep levels of compassion and unwavering commitment manifests itself in the delivery of superb quality of products and services. Backing her drive and determination to serve others is her relentless pursuit of excellence in the field of education. With more than twelve years of teaching ASL in secondary middle and high schools, D’yann holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communications from the University of Southern California, B.A. in Deaf Studies from California State University Northridge, Masters in Organizational Management, Masters in Education,  two secondary Teaching Credentials and recently joined the ranks as Adjunct Professor at El Camino College.  June 2023 she received an Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from Bible Believers College and eminary and was awarded a prestigious Presidential Black Chamber of Commerce award for our outstanding contributions to community and business. 

Clearly a true leader in her field, she is a catalyst in bridging the gap between the hearing and deaf community she continues to serve, and an inspiration to sparking a whole new generation of individuals interested in making a difference in their communities. The deaf young man, with whom D’yann may never get the opportunity to interface again, influenced the course of her entire life.  It is her life’s mission to give back by influencing and enhancing the lives of millions like him.