Speaker Biographies

Michael Agyin

Deaf and disability rights advocate
Son of Ghanian immigrants, Michael Agyin was born in MA, but raised in Compton, CA. It wasn't until college that Michael understood he was not alone in the way he experienced life and that there was a word to describe people like himself: Deaf.  He quickly became empowered by learning American Sign Language (ASL) during undergrad, he began to see the need for deaf advocacy on campus as well as the larger community. Michael became determined to break the barrier that exists between the Hearing and Deaf worlds. This determination earned him the CSUN National Center on Deafness Outstanding Humanitarian Award.

After College, Michael continued working on his advocacy, most recently spending the last five years as a Behavior Analyst for Deaf Youth with Autism. He has also served as a governor appointee to the State Independent Living Council, a volunteer for the California Youth Leadership Forum for Youth with Disabilities and has served as president of Hear Zero (an African-american deaf advocacy group).

Outside of Michael's ongoing work as a deaf and disability rights advocate, he is a runner, a Star Wars enthusiast, an uncle extraordinaire, and a friend to many.

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TEDxManhattanBeach

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Mira Costa Campus
1401 Artesia Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

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