Tip: you can turn on captions, open the transcript, and change the playback speed by using the controls in the player.
If something helped or resonated with you, consider sending the presenter an anonymous Love Note.
Send a Love Note 💌Andrea Zackary is the founder of DEF Events & Beyond Inc., based in Brampton, Ontario. Hard of hearing from age six, she became Deaf at 25, and rather than let that stop her, she built a career and a business rooted in empowering the Deaf community. Founded in 2014, DEF Events & Beyond brings Deaf and hard of hearing people together and welcomes hearing guests in, bridging gaps through shared experiences. Andrea's work has earned wide recognition, including Brampton's Top 40 Under 40, the Accessibility in Business Award, and a Business Excellence Community Builder award, along with national honors like Top 100 Black Women to Watch. She is a founding member of Black Deaf Canada, sits on the board of the Ontario Cultural Society of the Deaf, and advocates for disability inclusion through Disability Without Poverty. A Deaf Olympian and world championship qualifier, Andrea is also a wife and mother of six.