Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Smith.
Hi Marcus, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story starts the day I was born. May 18, 1992. When I was born, the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck, causing me not to get enough oxygen to my brain which caused me to lose my hearing. After surviving my traumatic birth, it seemed all was well, then my parents noticed that I was not making baby sounds and I was not trying to talk, they took me to get my hearing tested and found out I had hearing lost, and at the age of two, I received my first hearing aids. Due to oxygen deprivation, it caused me to have hearing loss. I give great thanks to my parents. Supporting and fighting for the resources that I needed to be successful in school. That includes learning ASL (American Sign Language), speech therapy and instilling in me that despite deafness, it did not solely define me. Fast forward now, having this heart for the deaf community and wanting to uplift this small and often forgotten community. I now work for the Baltimore public school system at my alumni High School Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School. Working with deaf youths is something I am passionate about because it is important to instill that confidence and give guidance to the students I work with because oftentimes, you do not see a deaf/hard of hearing black man that they can relate to being a real-life example that success is possible. To see that is also knowing that wearing your hearing aids isn’t a shameful thing.
ASL is a way of communicating and that there is more than just one way to be deaf and how to define that. On a broader scope, I got into modeling at a time when I was not sure what I was doing in life. I just wanted to try something new. I have been modeling now for about three years now. I have done well. Secured many paid gigs, walked the New York Fashion Week, and even graced a cover of a Baltimore Magazine and Billboard! With this success pairing it with my educational position in the school system. My goal is to be a name and a face that people can point to as inspiration and a reachable person for advice and deaf advocacy in the deaf community. On a local level within the DMV, I have done just that. That makes me proud. I want all people to know that to know thy self is one of the most important things you need to know in life. Once you realize this, truly you are in control of your destiny.
Growing up, because of my deafness, I was shy/and quiet. I was not confident in my speaking ability and my signing. Once I got better at these things, the next big obstacle was my self-identity. I am hard of hearing. While growing up I remember a time when I could not hear anything without my hearing aids. Going to college exposed me to a vast ray of people with diverse levels of deafness. This exposure was encouraging, but many people did not understand my journey. When I received negative comments on how I signed or how I spoke or even questioning my deafness made me feel alone and not feeling exactly a part of the deaf community.I met so many people who felt similarly, which gave me comfort. This is a real situation because sometimes a person who may be deaf or hard of hearing does not grow up in the deaf culture or their family does not put emphasis on sign language, so sometimes people will make you feel like an outsider. So, learning about this I learned the importance of knowing myself. To know my identity is in Christ which helped me not to live and die on a label we as society puts on individuals, that helped me pushed through the negativity. We have many labels that intertwine. If we rest in these things, unfortunately, there will always be people to say, you are not adequate. That is no way to live. I had support from family and teacher’s so I was able to get through it all and now be a beacon of confidence for myself and for others.
TheSigningModel.com, this is where designers can book me for a modeling gig or individuals that would like me to teach them ASL . If you are a person who knows ASL but wants a practice buddy, you can reserve time with me to talk and practice with you. Also, If you love thesigningmodel brand. I have merch, including my signature candle scent. I want people to know that my brand is really a deaf advocacy brand. Behind the glitz and glam, it’s a place to get resources and inspiration for a deaf youth who is looking for direction or a parent who needs guidance on how to raise their deaf child. I am a Model, Educator, Coach and Mentor.
“Know Thy Self” is my motto.
Pricing:
- Signature Candle $50
- Modeling 1 hr $120
- Friendly ASL Chat (Practice) $30
Contact Info:
- Email:Book@thesigningmodel.com
- Website: TheSigningModel.com
- Instagram: TheSigningModel
- Facebook: Marcus J Smith
- Youtube: SmoothViiew
Image Credits
tmgs.fotography Clappstudios michaelclayphotography jfannonphoto photographybyemmanuel schaunchampion
